GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF APPLIED LAW (FAMILY LAW)
- 4 subjects
- $4,150 per subject
- FEE-HELP eligible
- 1 year part-time
- 4 intakes per year: Feb, May, Aug, Nov
IS YOUR TRUE CALLING TO HELP OTHERS? CONSIDER FAMILY LAW
Family law is one of the most dynamic and challenging areas of the law. As a family lawyer, you will influence the lives of families who come to you for support and expertise during times of great upheaval and trauma. You’ll also be at the forefront of shaping our society’s priorities and cultural values – with the potential to make a difference to the community in which you live. Family lawyers ensure that separating families are able to start the next chapter of their lives with security and confidence. They help make sure children maintain meaningful relationships with parents and other relatives, are safe from harm and flourish after separation.
A Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (Family Law), provides the flexibility to balance work, life and study as you gain critical understanding and qualifications to create a meaningful career in family law.
To complete this award, you must choose:
- 3 core subjects (FLP1, FLP2, FLP3)
- 1 FLP elective subject
Plan your studies
Looking to plan your postgraduate program?
- Use the tool below to explore subjects by practice area and intake date.
- Prefer to review offline? Download the full PDF for a complete overview of all your options.
HOW TO ENROL
Follow these steps to complete your enrolment in a postgraduate program.
- Choose your first subject
We recommend enrolling in one subject per intake. Enrolling in two subjects may require up to 25 hours of study per week. - Gather your documents - You'll need your documents to upload when completing the online enrolment form
- Academic Records
You’ll need to submit one of the following:-
- Official academic transcript (LLB, JD, Dip Law)
- Graduation certificate
- Admission certificate
- Current practising certificate
-
- Recognition of prior learning (if applicable)
Submit any relevant postgraduate certificates or qualifications if applying for RPL. - Proof of name change (if applicable)
If your name has changed, provide certified proof. - Unique student identifier (USI)
A USI is required by the Australian Government for all students (except offshore international students). Create or find your USI here.
- Academic Records
- Payment or financial assistance
Have your payment details or tax file number (TFN) ready if applying for FEE-HELP through the Commonwealth Government FEE-HELP scheme. - Submit your enrolment
Once ready, complete and submit your online enrolment.
Need help?
For assistance, contact Customer and Student Engagement at 1300 506 402 or email postgrad@collaw.edu.au
RE-ENROLMENTS
Re-enrolling for your next subject is simple!
Once you've enrolled in your chosen Award program, re-enrolling for the next subject is easy. Simply follow these steps:
- Choose your next subject.
- Log in to the customer portal.
- Complete the re-enrolment form and select your payment option.
FEES & FEE-HELP
Here’s what you need to know:
- The fee per subject in 2025 is $4,150 (no GST applies)
- Our fees are reviewed annually and may vary during your enrolment
- You need to pay your fees in full at the time of enrolment each semester.
- We accept cheque, EFT and credit card.
StudyAssist FEE-Help
- If you’re an Australian citizen, NZ citizen or you hold a permanent humanitarian visa, you may be able to defer payment through the . Learn more about FEE-Help or visit the Australian Government StudyAssist FEE-HELP scheme website.
Good news! There’s no need to pay for your entire qualification upfront. Instead, you can pay as you learn – subject by subject. Which means, you can start off small by building your own Graduate Certificate, or Graduate Diploma, and then progress to a Master of Laws later, if you choose.
Please refer to our Policy Index - 1.3.11 Withdrawal policy.
Kay Smith Scholarship
The Kay Smith Scholarship honours one of the longest serving and most respected people of The College of Law. It is designed to support the education aspirations of outstanding law graduates and young lawyers. Learn more.
PREREQUISITES
You must hold a recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent) to enrol in a Postgraduate Program.
ASSESSMENTS
Your assessments may vary from course to course. However, these are the most common assessments that you will need to complete:
- Oral Assessments
- Written Assessments
- Short writing activities
- Reflection activities
For all student policies refer to our policy index.
FAMILY LAW SUBJECTS
FLP00 - Capstone Project (Family Law)
Intake 2, 4TOPICS
THE SUBJECT HAS FOUR COMPONENTS
- Four short answer questions
- Two legal writing samples
- Oral communication (e.g. client interview) assessment held through online conferencing
- Reflective analysis
FLP1 - Foundations of Family Law Practice
Intake 1, 2, 3, 4TOPICS
- Introduction to family law
- Who is a family and who is a parent?
- Shared parental responsibility and legislative pathways
- Statutory considerations to determine the best interests of the child
- Child abuse and family violence
- Relocation and recovery of children
- Variation and enforcement of parenting orders
- Ethical and professional responsibility issues in children's cases
- Divorce, nullity and validity of marriages
FLP2 - Property, Maintenance and Child Support
Intake 2, 4TOPICS
- Jurisdictional issues and spouse maintenance
- Ethical issues, professional responsibilities and duties when acting for a party in family law financial proceedings
- The four step process: introduction and step 1
- The four step process: steps 2, 3 and 4
- Conciliation conference, private mediation and costs in family law proceedings
- Superannuation splitting, and tax, revenue and valuation issues
- Evidence and child support
- Documenting a settlement of a financial matter, and agreement about child support
FLP3 - Conducting Family Law Matters
Intake 1, 3TOPICS
- Conducting first conference, compulsory mediation and pre-action procedures
- Preparing for hearing
- Commencing proceedings and interim proceedings
- Court events and documents
- Division 12A proceedings and financial proceedings
- Preparing for and presenting the final hearing
- Dispute resolution
- Evidence
- Ethical Issues, and interlocutory processes and appeals processes
FLP11 - Advanced Parenting Issues
Intake 2, 4TOPICS
- Practice and procedure – the legislative framework
- Practice and procedure – specific issues
- Parentage - who is a "parent"
- Financial aspects of parenting – child maintenance and child support
- Representation of children and the role of the independent children’s lawyer
- The role of the states and territories in relation to child protection and adoption
- Complex parenting issues for the 21st century
- Practice and procedure – the final hearing, costs and appeals
FLP12 - Advanced Issues in Property, Maintenance and Child Support
Intake 1, 3TOPICS
- Jurisdiction in property matters, ascertaining the asset pool and categorising interests
- Corporations, trusts, partnerships and businesses
- Third parties, competing claims and bankruptcy
- Cross-border disputes
- Orders, agreements, setting aside and taxation issues
- Interim relief: injunctions, interim orders for property settlement and spousal maintenance
- Advanced issues in child support
- Appeals and stays in family law proceedings
FLP13 - Development & Management of a Family Law Practice
Intake 3TOPICS
- Introduction to developing and managing a family law practice
- Getting started
- Financial management - Pricing and costs, and leveraging for productivity profit
- Financial indicators
- Risk management
- Systems management
- Marketing management
- Managing people and managing clients
- Managing yourself
FLP14 - Family Dispute Resolution
Intake 2This subject is focused around the various dispute resolution options available in family law. Understanding and differentiating these options is crucial for a family law practitioner to give clients effective advice.
*Students that have completed the College of Law Family Dispute Resolution Practice are eligible for advanced standing for this FLP14 - Family Dispute Resolution subject.
TOPICS
- The family law dispute resolution spectrum and legislative framework
- Understanding disputes
- Dispute resolution and specialist lists - Evatt List, Lighthouse, Magellan List and others
- Negotiation
- Family dispute resolution processes and communication skills Issues of power, culture and control
- Child informed mediation, Legal Aid conferences and collaborative law
- Non-adversarial practice and family law - representing the client
FLP15 - Advocacy in Family Law
Intake 1, 3TOPICS
- Role of the advocate Preparing for hearing
- Child-related proceedings and financial proceedings
- Evidence Examination-in-chief and witnesses
- Cross-examination and re-examination
- Submissions, reviews, stay applications and the slip rule
- Interlocutory applications and appeals
START DATES
| Feb Intake 1 | May Intake 2 | Aug Intake 3 | Nov Intake 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| START DATE | 10 Feb 2025 | 12 May 2025 | 10 Aug 2025 | 09 Nov 2025 |
| CENSUS | 26 Feb 2025 | 28 May 2025 | 17 Aug 2025 | 02 Dec 2025 |
| END DATE | 02 May 2025 | 01 Aug 2025 | 30 Oct 2025 | 05 Feb 2026 |
| Subject | Start Date | Census | End Date | Workshop Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRP3 - Advocacy | 21 Sep 2025 | 30 Sep 2025 | 30 Oct 2025 |
15 - 17 October 2025 |
| DRP4 - Mediation | 05 Oct 2025 | 14 Oct 2025 | 13 Nov 2024 |
TBC |
| EPP2 - Superannuation | 01 Jul 2024 | 10 Jul 2024 | 09 Aug 2024 | |
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 10 Feb 2025 | 19 Feb 2025 | 21 Mar 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW & VIC |
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 10 Aug 2025 | 19 Aug 2025 | 18 Sep 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW & VIC |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 24 Mar 2025 | 01 Apr 2025 | 20 Apr 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 21 Sep 2025 | 30 Sep 2025 | 30 Oct 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 05 May 2025 | 13 May 2025 | 13 Jun 2025 |
26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 03 Nov 2025 | 11 Nov 2025 | 12 Dec 2025 |
26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 16 Jun 2025 | 24 Jun 2025 | 25 Jul 2025 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 26 Jan 2026 | 04 Feb 2026 | 06 Mar 2026 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Apr 2025 | 16 Apr 2025 | 30 May 2025 |
Day 1 – 24 April 2025 |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Sep 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 30 Oct 2025 |
Day 1 – 24 April 2025 |
| LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success | 05 May 2025 | 13 May 2025 | 13 Jun 2025 | |
| LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success | 02 Nov 2025 | 10 Dec 2025 | 11 Dec 2025 |
| Subject | Start Date | Census | End Date | Workshop Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 09 Feb 2025 | 18 Feb 2025 | 20 Mar 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW/VIC 1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 10 Aug 2025 | 19 Aug 2025 | 18 Sep 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW/VIC 1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 24 Mar 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 02 May 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 October 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 21 Sep 2025 | 30 Sep 2025 | 30 Oct 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 October 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 05 May 2025 | 14 May 2025 | 13 Jun 2025 |
26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC 24 - 26 November 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 02 Nov 2025 | 11 Nov 2025 | 11 Dec 2025 |
26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC 24 - 26 November 2025 NSW/VIC |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 26 Jan 2025 | 05 Feb 2026 | 06 Mar 2026 |
10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC 19-21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 16 Jun 2025 | 24 Jul 2025 | 25 Jul 2025 |
10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC 19-21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Apr 2025 | 16 Apr 2025 | 30 May 2025 |
Day 1 - 24 April 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 08 Sep 2025 | 18 Sep 2025 | 31 Oct 2025 |
Day 1 - 24 April 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 |
I felt engaged, and I loved what I was learning. It also gave me an edge. Now I know the why behind what I do.
Kiarah Grace Kelly, LLM Graduate - Family Law
All the lecturers are just so wonderful and so knowledgeable. They all understand that you're working as well as trying to study and are just so accommodating.
Jessica Popple, LLM Graduate - Family Law
INVEST IN YOUR WHERE'S NEXT
PURSUE YOUR PASSION - ADVANCE YOUR EXPERTISE
Discover more
Kay Smith Scholarship
See if you are eligible for the The Kay Smith Scholarship.
Got questions or want to enrol?
Want to talk through your options?
Student success stories
Read how Craig’s postgraduate study accelerated his career by a decade.
Kay Smith Scholarship
If you’re experiencing financial hardship and unable to afford postgraduate study, see if you are eligible for the The Kay Smith Scholarship. This scholarship honours one of the longest serving and most respected people of The College of Law. It is designed to support the education aspirations of outstanding law graduates and young lawyers.
Got questions or want to enrol?
If you have any questions about subjects, awards, intake dates, or anything else related to our postgraduate programs, don't hesitate to reach out. Book a call with one of our Student and Customer Engagement Advisors who are ready to assist you.
Student success stories
Read how Craig’s postgraduate study accelerated his career by a decade and enabled him to become a specialist and eventually started his own firm.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This depends on your workload and your personal situation. If you complete 1 subject every intake you could complete your Graduate Certificate in 6 months.
You can do any of the following without financial penalty any time before the published census date for each intake:
- Withdraw completely
- Change the subject or course you are enrolled in
- Defer it to a subsequent intake (must be within the next 12 months)
We recommend that you set aside 10-12 hours a week on study per subject, 1 unit per semester. Completing two subjects in the same intake may require up to 25 hours of study and readings each week.
There are four intakes a year: February, May, August and November.
You may be entitled to claim your full 10 units per subject for your CPD requirements.
However, you may still need to complete some mandatory CPD units. Please check with your local law society for the requirements in your state or territory.
WA-based students may claim up to 6 units per subject (6 CPD units for an intensive subject that has a compulsory workshop requirement or 4 CPD units for any other subject). College will lodge the CPD points with the Legal Practice Board on successful completion of the subject(s).
The College’s Credit for Prior Learning Policy encourages practitioners who have completed previous postgraduate and other recognised study to apply for credit towards either the LLM (Applied Law) or the Master of Applied Law (Family Law), not towards a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma awards.
Yes. Many LLM students choose electives from our Legal Business Management course. Please contact us to learn how.
No. To become a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, you will need to:
- Complete the Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Practice (FRDP)
- Seek accreditation with the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department
Many students choose to pursue an LLM with a double major in Family Law and FDRP.
For 2025, each subject in our postgraduate programmes costs $4,150, with no GST applicable.
Please note that our fees are subject to annual review and may change during your enrolment. Full payment is required at the time of enrolment each semester, and we accept various payment methods including cheque, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), and credit card. Additionally, if you are an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, or hold a permanent humanitarian visa, you may be eligible to defer your payment through the Australian Government's StudyAssist FEE-HELP scheme.
Yes, if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you may be eligible to receive Australan Government StudyAssist FEE-HELP. For more information, download the FEE-HELP Factsheet.
Yes, you can, but Australian Government StudyAssist FEE-HELP will not apply.
Yes. If you are from a non-English speaking country or your previous studies were in a language other than English, you will need to demonstrate your English skills in accordance with the IELTS standard before starting the program.
The requisite IELTS standard is at level 8 (writing), 7 (listening), 7.5 (speaking), 7 (reading), and 7.5 overall.
The Kay Smith Scholarship is designed to assist law graduates and young lawyers in Australia and New Zealand facing financial or personal hardships by covering the costs of a Master of Laws (Applied Law) or a Practical Legal Training course at The College of Law. It honours Kay Smith’s significant contributions to the college. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic commitment, and community impact. Applications are due annually by December 15. Learn more.
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