Course summary

Paralegals are a highly-valued part of the legal sector and there is increasing demand for paralegal professionals who can think outside the box.

This course will get you working in law quickly and lays the foundation for career progression. As you explore the Australian legal system, you will gather skills in legal research and writing, and absorb foundational principles in key areas of the law. You can choose to undertake voluntary legal experience or a para-professional placement to become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals. An optional major in Conveyancing provides the academic pre-requisite for qualification as a conveyancer in NSW.

Paralegals work with solicitors and barristers, in government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions and in the community and corporate sectors in finance, banking, insurance and conveyancing.

Graduates may also consider roles as a para-professional within a range of industries. This degree is also a pathway to further studies to become a lawyer.

Paralegals are a highly-valued part of the legal sector and there is increasing demand for paralegal professionals who can think outside the box.

This course will get you working in law quickly and lays the foundation for career progression. As you explore the Australian legal system, you will gather skills in legal research and writing, and absorb foundational principles in key areas of the law. You can choose to undertake voluntary legal experience or a para-professional placement to become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals. An optional major in Conveyancing provides the academic pre-requisite for qualification as a conveyancer in NSW.

Paralegals work with solicitors and barristers, in government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions and in the community and corporate sectors in finance, banking, insurance and conveyancing.

Graduates may also consider roles as a para-professional within a range of industries. This degree is also a pathway to further studies to become a lawyer.

This course consists of compulsory law units and elective units. Students can choose to study a major in conveyancing.

Please note: Some elective units, when studied online, require students to attend on-campus workshops.

Course Learning Outcome

Apply critical judgement including analysis, reasoning, and appropriate directed research to legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional and social contexts.

Apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate and creative responses to legal problems in paralegal, professional and social contexts.

Demonstrate an understanding and evaluate issues with reference to principles of social justice and legal ethical frameworks.

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge relating to the paralegal, professional and social contexts of the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts.

Learn and work independently within broad parameters.

Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance.

Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice.

Communicate appropriately and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Collaborate effectively and constructively with others.

Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice.

You may undertake voluntary legal experience and para-professional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals.

When taken with the conveyancing major, the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), fulfils the academic requirements necessary to obtain a conveyancer’s licence in NSW, and is accredited by NSW Fair Trading. For licensing requirements, and details of mandatory additional work experience required to enable registration, enquiries should be made to NSW Fair Trading.

Note that each Australian state or territory has its own legislation regulating conveyancing practice.

The subject ‘LEGL2012 - Mediation Practice and Procedure’, meets the training and assessment threshold requirements as specified in the National Mediator Accreditation System. As such, Southern Cross University is recognised as an Education and Training Provider Member of the Mediation Standards Board. Upon successful completion of the unit, students may apply to a Registered Mediation Accreditation Body (RMAB) to finalise their accreditation.

Course overview

Course code

2206351

Course abbreviation

AssocDegLaw (Paralegal)

Credit points

192

Equivalent units

16

Duration

2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

Duration

2 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported

International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold Coast Term 1 $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) 016182B

Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

To be eligible to receive the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:

  • 8 core units (96 credit points); and
  • the Conveyancing Major (96 credit points); or
  • 6 Law electives (72 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points).

Schedule of units

Title Note

Core Units
LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
LAWS2055 - Criminal Process
LEGL1002 - Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
LEGL2007 - Principles of Contract Law
LEGL2001 - Introduction to Land Law
LAWS2056 - Family Law Practice
LEGL2002 - Foundations of Torts

Electives

Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Notes

Note 1: Unit requires attendance at a compulsory workshop.