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GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF APPLIED LAW (WILLS AND ESTATES)

  • 4 subjects
  • $4,150 per subject
  • FEE-HELP eligible
  • 1 year part-time
  • 4 intakes per year: Feb, May, Aug, Nov

MAKE A REAL IMPACT BY HELPING FULFIL LAST WISHES AND NAVIGATE GRIEF AND LOSS FOR FAMILIES

Wills and estates has rapidly become a large area of practice in part due to the ageing population in Australia. Wills and estates lawyers support clients by providing objective opinions on how they should dispose of their assets. It’s an important area of practice that calls for a thorough understanding of the law. Want to thrive in this specialisation? You will need to be a strong communicator, a problem solver and a forward thinker.

A Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (Wills and Estates) provides the flexibility to balance work and life while learning practical skills to manage the everyday issues you are likely to encounter as a wills and estates practitioner.

To complete this award, you must choose:

  • 3 core subjects (WEP1, WEP2, WEP3)
  • 1 WEP elective subject

The College of Law is an Accredited Education Partner of STEP, the worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and succession planning. One subject, in either the Wills and Estates major or Estate Planning major, gives you 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership.

 

Plan your studies

Looking to plan your postgraduate program?

  1. Use the tool below to explore subjects by practice area and intake date.
  2. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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:

  1. Choose your next subject.
  2. Log in to the customer portal.
  3. 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

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.

IN STEP WITH STEP

STEP logo

 

STEP Accredited Education Partner

The College of Law is an Accredited Education Partner of STEP, the worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and succession planning. STEP has over 20,000 members across more than 80 countries from a broad range of professional backgrounds.

One subject in either the Wills and Estates major or Estate Planning major, gives you 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership. If you wish to proceed to Full STEP Membership, with use of post-nominal TEP, you must have a minimum of two years’ relevant experience and successfully complete 120 Diploma Level credits, including the successful completion of any two subjects from the following list:

  • WEP1 Foundations of Wills and Estates Practice;
  • WEP2 Law and Practice of Estates;
  • EPP1 Foundations of Estate Planning;
  • EPP2 Superannuation.

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.

WILLS & ESTATES SUBJECTS

WEP00 - Capstone Project (Wills & Estates)

Intake 2, 4
The Capstone Project is taken as the final subject, as a culmination of the knowledge and skills attained throughout the major. It will allow students to demonstrate their skills in a specialist practice area using real-life scenarios and case studies. Throughout the intake, students will receive individualised feedback from their lecturer and will also have access to a rich array of skills modules that include guides, samples, and practice exercises for honing their legal skills. The highlight of the Capstone Project is the final task, where students will prepare a Final Portfolio that demonstrates their legal writing, research, and oral skills.

TOPICS

THE SUBJECT HAS FOUR COMPONENTS

  1. Four short answer questions
  2. Two legal writing samples
  3. Oral communication (e.g. client interview) assessment held through online conferencing 
  4. Reflective analysis

WEP1 - Foundations of Wills & Estates Practice

Intake 1, 2, 3, 4
This subject provides an introduction to the law and practice of wills for students, whether or not they have studied succession law at law school. It identifies and analyses the nature of succession law and practice, as well as the relevant legal materials. It covers the legislative and case law requirements governing the validity of wills, as well as taking the testator's instructions and assessing testamentary capacity. There is also an introduction to the skill of drafting valid wills and the method of execution.

TOPICS

  • Testamentary contracts, mutual wills and estoppel
  • Ethics, professional responsibility and liability
  • Proof of death and burial
  • Formal requirements and the dispensing power
  • Taking instructions for and drafting wills
  • Essential validity, including testamentary capacity
  • Introduction to family provision
  • Post-execution: alterations, codicils, republication, revocation and revival

WEP2 - Law and Practice of Estates

Intake 2, 4

This subject covers the procedures and principles involved in the administration of estates. It identifies and enables students to apply the legislative provisions relating to testate and intestate estates. It covers the procedural steps for obtaining uncontested grants of probate and letters of administration, including taking client instructions and providing appropriate advice to the client. Students draft applications for grants of probate and letters of administration, as well as administer assets and wind up the estate.

On satisfactory completion of this subject students will understand fundamental theories and practices involved in administration of estates practice, and have an understanding of how to apply this knowledge in professional practice. Students will be able to use and explain this knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Using practice-based analytical and critical thinking skills, students will be able to apply this knowledge to problem-solving and decision-making in practice.

TOPICS

  • Framework for estate administration applications
  • Intestacy
  • Administration without a grant, small estates and obtaining instructions for estate administration
  • Applying for grants of probate and letters of administration and for resealing
  • Asset collection, payment of debts and distribution
  • Duties and liabilities of legal personal representatives and rights of beneficiaries
  • Taxation matters, accounts and commission
  • Costing estate matters and managing a wills and estates practice

WEP3 - Construing and Drafting Wills

Intake 1, 3
This subject is designed to enable students to identify, analyse and apply the principles and rules relating to the construction of wills, especially as they relate to potentially contested estates. It enables students to construe and advise clients on complex issues arising from wills, as well as to further enhance their skills in drafting more challenging wills provisions. On satisfactory completion of this subject, students will understand fundamental theories and practices relating to the construction of wills, and have an understanding of how to apply this knowledge in professional practice. Students will be able to use and explain this knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Using practice-based analytical and critical thinking skills, students will be able to apply this knowledge to problem-solving and decision-making in practice.

TOPICS

  • The court of construction and construction suits
  • General principles of construction and construing gifts
  • Specific rules of construction
  • Admissibility of evidence in the construction of a will Issues in advising on estate planning
  • Drafting issues - blended families
  • Drafting issues – testamentary trusts and vulnerable beneficiaries
  • Lapse of gifts and equitable ademption, satisfaction and election

WEP4 - Family Provision

Intake 2, 4
This subject deals with the Family Provision legislation which is by far the most common litigation concerning deceased estates. This subject is relevant to estate planning and estate administration, where the risk of a claim needs to be considered, as well as to litigation itself. Advice, commencement and defence of proceedings, procedure, mediation and evidence will be considered.

TOPICS

  • The family provision framework
  • Approach of the court to different categories of applicant
  • Commencement of proceedings
  • Evidence
  • Types of orders
  • Other issues impacting family provision
  • Mediation and settlement of proceedings, release of rights and compromises
  • After mediation: further evidence and the conduct of the hearing

WEP5 - Contested Probate and Other Court Applications

Intake 1, 3
This subject enables students to understand and apply the principles in relation to a range of issues which arise in contested and special grants. It covers the procedures and evidence required for a grant in solemn form, interim and limited grants, revocation of grants, informal and lost wills and assessment of testamentary capacity. It also deals with costs and estate accounts and commission.

TOPICS

  • Caveats Solemn form and common form grants; revocation of a grant
  • Applications to impugn the essential validity of a will Interim and limited grants - substantive law and procedure and drafting considerations
  • Lost wills
  • Informal wills
  • Statutory will applications - substantive law and procedure and preparation
  • Costs, commission and passing of accounts

WEP6 - Advanced Issues in Wills and Estates

Intake 2, 4
This subject focuses on a series of advanced issues in wills and estates practice and administration, which are less often encountered in practice. It also provides students with the opportunity to provide client advice on these issues.

TOPICS

  • Understanding testamentary succession
  • Testamentary contracts, estoppel and will making
  • Testamentary trusts
  • Particular types of gifts and beneficiaries Insolvent estates
  • The forfeiture rule
  • Delegation of testamentary power
  • Wills and estates under foreign law

WEP7 - Elder Law

Intake 3
Elder law is a unique area of practice and is growing in significance with the ageing of Australia's population. It encompasses a wide range of legal issues which are relevant to an older person from accommodation to social security. This subject introduces students to the legal issues which may arise when advising older people and their carers. It also enables students to develop their skills in researching the benefits available to support the elderly.

TOPICS

  • Introduction to the regulatory framework, delegation and capacity
  • Mandatory substitute decision-making
  • Financial elder abuse
  • Accommodation: Staying at home – carers and assistance Accommodation:
  • Staying with the family – granny flats
  • Accommodation: Moving out – retirement villages and manufactured home parks
  • Permanent residential aged care
  • Discrimination and liability

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
6 - 8 March 2025 QLD & WA

FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Aug 2025 19 Aug 2025 18 Sep 2025

3 - 5 March 2025 NSW & VIC
6 - 8 March 2025 QLD & WA

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 
14 - 16 April 2025 QLD & WA

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 
14 - 16 April 2025 QLD & WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 05 May 2025 13 May 2025 13 Jun 2025

26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC
29 - 31 May 2025 QLD & WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 03 Nov 2025 11 Nov 2025 12 Dec 2025

26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC
29 - 31 May 2025 QLD & WA

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 16 Jun 2025 24 Jun 2025 25 Jul 2025

20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 
17-19 Feb 2025 QLD & WA

10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC
7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 26 Jan 2026 04 Feb 2026 06 Mar 2026

20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 
17-19 Feb 2025 QLD & WA

10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC
7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Apr 2025 16 Apr 2025 30 May 2025

Day 1 – 24 April 2025
Days 2 to 4:  29 April - 1 May 2025

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Sep 2025 01 Jan 0001 30 Oct 2025

Day 1 – 24 April 2025
Days 2 to 4:  29 April - 1 May 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   
6 - 8 March 2025 QLD/WA

1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC
4 - 6 September 2025 QLD/WA

FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Aug 2025 19 Aug 2025 18 Sep 2025

3 - 5 March 2025 NSW/VIC   
6 - 8 March 2025 QLD/WA

1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC
4 - 6 September 2025 QLD/WA

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 
14 - 16 April 2025 QLD & WA

16 - 18 October 2025   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 October 2025  QLD/WA

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 
14 - 16 April 2025 QLD & WA

16 - 18 October 2025   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 October 2025  QLD/WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 05 May 2025 14 May 2025 13 Jun 2025

26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC
29 - 31 May 2025 QLD & WA

24 - 26 November 2025 NSW/VIC
27-29 November 2025 QLD/WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 02 Nov 2025 11 Nov 2025 11 Dec 2025

26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC
29 - 31 May 2025 QLD & WA

24 - 26 November 2025 NSW/VIC
27-29 November 2025 QLD/WA

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 26 Jan 2025 05 Feb 2026 06 Mar 2026

10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC
7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 

19-21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 
16-18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 16 Jun 2025 24 Jul 2025 25 Jul 2025

10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC
7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 

19-21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 
16-18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Apr 2025 16 Apr 2025 30 May 2025

Day 1 - 24 April 2025
Days 2 - 4: 29 April - 1 May 2025

Day 1 – 26 September 2025    
Days 2-4 – 30 September - 2 October 2025

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 08 Sep 2025 18 Sep 2025 31 Oct 2025

Day 1 - 24 April 2025
Days 2 - 4: 29 April - 1 May 2025

Day 1 – 26 September 2025    
Days 2-4 – 30 September - 2 October 2025

I gained a real insight into the mechanics of wills and estates practice in my first masters.

Chloe Kopilovic, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates

I graduated six months ago, and since then I've actively sought to implement what I've learned into my day-to-day practice.

Krystal Bellamy, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates

I’ll never forget what I learned during my education, and the partners who have helped shape the lawyer I am today.

Lav Chhabra, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates

INVEST IN YOUR WHERE'S NEXT

PURSUE YOUR PASSION - ADVANCE YOUR EXPERTISE

7
Wills and Estates subjects to choose from
4
Intakes per year: Feb, May, Aug and Nov
93 %
of alumni recommend our Postgraduate Programs

Discover more

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:

  1. Complete the Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Practice (FRDP)
  2. 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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