Skip to main content
Picture of

MASTER OF LAWS (APPLIED LAW) MAJORING IN PROPERTY LAW

  • 8 subjects
  • $3,950 per subject
  • FEE-HELP eligible
  • 2 years part-time
  • 4 intakes per year: Feb, May, Aug, Nov

PURSUE YOUR PASSION IN PROPERTY LAW WITH POSTGRADUATE STUDY

Property law has seen tremendous change in recent years. However, it remains the cornerstone of many law practices. You will support clients across a wide range of property-related issues including buying and selling land, transferring titles and navigating tax implications. This specialisation calls for a comprehensive understanding of the law. And it will push you to develop new skills every day.

With a Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Property Law you will deepen your expertise substantially – and truly set yourself apart as an industry experty while learning how to analyse and better manage property transactions of all types. Subjects also focus on how to address and resolve the more complicated issues that you are likely to encounter as a property law practitioner.

To complete this award, you must choose:

  • 3 PROP subjects
  • 4 elective subjects OR a second major
  • Capstone Project in Property Law

 

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

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The fee per subject in 2024 is $3,950 (no GST applies)
  • 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.
  • Study Assist 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 Australian Government StudyAssist FEE-HELP scheme.

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.

PROPERTY LAW SUBJECTS

PROP00 - Capstone Project (Property Law)

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. THE SUBJECT HAS 

TOPICS

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

PROP1 - Foundations of Property Law

Intake 1, 3

This subject covers titles to, and interests in, land in New South Wales or Queensland (QPROP1).

This includes the law and practice for the various forms of title and interests and the practice dealing with those titles and interests. The subject aims to provide students with a strong understanding of property law and a good foundation for practising advanced property law in New South Wales and Queensland. It will also provide the base for the other subjects included in the Property Law curriculum, specifically: sale and purchase of land commercial leasing transactions shared titles, and financing property transactions.

TOPICS

  • Native title
  • The Torrens title system of land ownership
  • Leases
  • Easements
  • Covenants
  • Possessory title
  • Caveats and priority notices
  • Writs and the courts
  • Co-ownership - joint tenants and tenants in common

PROP2 - Buying and Selling Real Property QLD

Intake 2, 4

This subject takes a highly practical, step-by-step approach to the property transaction. It begins by discussing the scoping, structuring and due diligence steps and considerations at the beginning of the transaction. It then moves on to explore the formation, drafting and negotiation of the Contract for Houses and Residential Land, Fourteenth Edition, approved by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland and the Queensland Law Society, before explaining the process of closing the transaction. The critical elements of option agreements and the additional steps involved in rural transactions are also discussed. Ethical considerations in property transactions will be explored as will the technological developments currently impacting the way property law is practised. The subject aims to develop foundations for advanced and integrated understandings of this practice area.

On satisfactory completion of this subject, students will understand fundamental theories and practices in real property transactions 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

  • Representing clients ethically and competently in real estate transactions
  • Electronic conveyancing and other technological developments
  • The formation of the standard contract
  • Understanding the standard Contract for Houses and Residential Land in Queensland
  • Contract formation, exchange to settlement, post settlement and rural transactions
  • Parties' default under the standard contract
  • Remedies
  • Options

PROP2 - Buying and Selling Real Property NSW

Intake 2, 4

This subject provides foundations to develop advanced and integrated understandings about real property transactions. It adopts a highly practical, step-by-step approach to the property transaction. It begins by discussing the ethical and competency requirements for practitioners advising in this area, as well as the due diligence steps and considerations at the beginning of the transaction.

It then moves on to explore the formation, drafting and negotiation of the Contract for the sale and purchase of land (standard contract) published by the Law Society of New South Wales and the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales, before explaining the process of closing the transaction. The critical elements of Option Agreements and the additional steps involved in rural transactions are also discussed. The impact of electronic conveyancing (e-conveyancing) will be explored in addition to other technological developments currently impacting the way property law is practised today.

TOPICS

  • Acting ethically in real property transactions
  • Electronic conveyancing and other technological advancements
  • The formation of the contract for sale and purchase of land
  • Contract for sale and purchase of land
  • From exchange of contracts to completion: post exchange and getting ready to settle
  • Default of contract and remedy
  • Duties and taxes in property transactions
  • Options: put and call

PROP3 - Commercial Leasing, Contracts and Transactions QLD

Intake 2
Commercial leasing transactions can be major transactions to negotiate and to manage with multiple parties involved. They can also be small transactions with two parties only. At the end of this subject students will be familiar with all forms of commercial leasing transactions and the common avoidable errors inherent in leasing. By participating in practical activities and assessment, students will build and extend their existing drafting and negotiation skills and their expertise and value to clients in this area. Students will develop the foundations for advanced and integrated understandings of this practice area.

TOPICS

  • Leases – the type of interest in the land
  • Acting in commercial lease transactions
  • Acting in retail lease transactions
  • Effective use of preliminary agreements and agreements for lease, and the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth)
  • Drafting leases and deciphering complicated and unusual lease provisions
  • Negotiating and advising on lease
  • Assignment of leases, subleases, lease options and incentives
  • End of term and surrender of leases
  • Remedies in leasing

PROP3 - Commercial Leasing, Contracts and Transactions NSW

Intake 2, 4
Commercial leasing transactions can be major transactions to negotiate and to manage with multiple parties involved. They can also be small transactions with two parties only. At the end of this subject students will be familiar with all forms of commercial leasing transactions and the common avoidable errors inherent in leasing. By participating in practical activities and assessment, students will build and extend their existing drafting and negotiation skills and their expertise and value to clients in this area. Students will develop the foundations for advanced and integrated understandings of this practice area.

TOPICS

  • The foundations of leasing law
  • Effective use of preliminary agreements - Head of agreements, lease proposals and offers to lease and due diligence
  • Agreements for lease, incentive deeds and Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth)
  • Drafting, negotiating and advising on leases
  • Green leasing and assignment of leases and subleases
  • Acting in retail lease transactions
  • Acting in commercial lease transactions
  • Remedies in leasing, and locking out lessees and relief against forfeiture
  • Surrender of leases

PROP4 - Shared Title

Intake 1
Strata subdivision enables an increasingly common form of land ownership and has been part of the driving force behind the property development boom in Australian capital cities. This subject has a strong focus on strata title and will begin by discussing the different types of title arrangements, the "landmark" recent reforms of strata legislation and the nature of strata and other subdivision methods, including community title, company title and stratum subdivision. The subject is segmented into two distinct parts of strata title – the development aspects involved in achieving strata plan registration and the on-going management aspects after the strata scheme has been established, including dispute resolution in strata schemes. Two perspectives of a property development project are then considered from the point of view of the advisor – the considerations when acting on behalf of a developer of a new strata scheme and the purchaser’s perspective when buying off-the-plan will also be analysed. Each module has been revised and based on the current legislation that applies.

TOPICS

  • Foundations and origins of strata schemes
  • Advising on title structures
  • Development of a strata scheme
  • Management of a strata scheme
  • By-laws in a strata scheme
  • Developing and constituting a community scheme
  • Resolving conflict in strata schemes and the strata renewal process
  • Acting for a developer on a strata development project
  • Advising a purchaser in an off-the-plan purchase

PROP4 - Shared Title NSW

Intake 1

Strata subdivision enables an increasingly common form of land ownership and has been part of the driving force behind the property development boom in Australian capital cities.

This subject has a strong focus on strata title and will begin by discussing the different types of title arrangements, the "landmark" recent reforms of strata legislation and the nature of strata and other subdivision methods, including community title, company title and stratum subdivision.

 The subject is segmented into two distinct parts of strata title – the development aspects involved in achieving strata plan registration and the on-going management aspects after the strata scheme has been established, including dispute resolution in strata schemes.

Two perspectives of a property development project are then considered from the point of view of the advisor – the considerations when acting on behalf of a developer of a new strata scheme and the purchaser’s perspective when buying off-the-plan will also be analysed. Each module has been revised and based on the current legislation that applies.

TOPICS

  • Foundations and origins of strata schemes
  • Advising on title structures
  • Development of a strata scheme
  • Management of a strata scheme By-laws in a strata scheme
  • Developing and constituting a community scheme
  • Resolving conflict in strata schemes and the strata renewal process
  • Acting for a developer on a strata development project
  • Advising a purchaser in an off-the-plan purchase

PROP4 - Body Corporate and Community Title Law QLD

Intake 1

Community title in Queensland continues to grow. It is part of the driving force behind the property development boom in many parts of Australia, and especially in south east Queensland. Body corporate law is fragmented and is created through planning and titling laws and specific legislation dealing with community ownership. It has also developed from decisions of courts, tribunals and adjudications. This subject is divided into various parts. First part covers the development aspects – plan registration and the creation of a community management scheme. The second part covers on-going management, including dispute resolution. Furthermore, two perspectives of a property development project are considered: legal advice student should give to a developer of a new scheme as well as legal advice which should be given to a buyer of an "off the plan" unit or apartment.

TOPICS

  • Foundations and origins of community titles schemes
  • Community title – essential features for advising clients
  • Development of a scheme
  • Governance – structure, management and roles
  • Governance – By-laws
  • Dispute resolution
  • Acting for a developer on a community title development project
  • Advising a buyer in an “off-the-plan” purchase

PROP5 - Financing Property Transactions

Intake 3
Virtually every property transaction involves a financing element. The ability to advise a client on the suitability of loan and security documentation, on guarantees and on financing structures is an essential skill for a lawyer wishing to provide a complete service to a client in a property transaction. The focus of this subject is residential loans and small scale residential developments, from the perspective of the borrower.

TOPICS

  • Deciphering finance and security products
  • Consumer
  • Lending
  • Legislation and National Consumer Protection Act
  • Land as security: Mortgages Guarantees 
  • Structuring transactions
  • The loan documentation suite
  • Satisfying conditions precedent 
  • Completion and default remedies

START DATES

Nov Intake 4 Feb Intake 1 May Intake 2
START DATE 11 Nov 2024 10 Feb 2025 12 May 2025
CENSUS 04 Dec 2024 26 Feb 2025 28 May 2025
END DATE 07 Feb 2025 02 May 2025 02 Aug 2025
Subject Start Date Census End Date Workshop Date
DRP3 - Advocacy 21 Sep 2025 30 Sep 2024 30 Oct 2025
DRP4 - Mediation 05 Oct 2025 01 Jan 0001 13 Nov 2024
EPP2 - Superannuation 01 Jul 2024 10 Jul 2024 09 Aug 2024
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 21 Mar 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 Jan 0001 20 Apr 2025

10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 
14 - 16 April 2025 QLD & WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 04 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024 13 Dec 2024

25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 
28-30 Nov 2024 QLD & WA

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

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 05 May 2025 01 Jan 0001 13 Jun 2025

25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 
28-30 Nov 2024 QLD & WA

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

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 27 Jan 2025 05 Feb 2025 07 Mar 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 16 Jun 2025 01 Jan 0001 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 

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Apr 2025 01 Jan 0001 30 May 2025

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

LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success 05 May 2025 01 Jan 0001 13 Jun 2025
Subject Start Date Census End Date Workshop Date
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 21 Mar 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 31 Mar 2025 02 May 2025

10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 
14 - 16 April 2025 QLD & WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 04 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024 13 Dec 2024

25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 
28-30 Nov 2024 QLD & WA

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

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 05 May 2025 12 May 2025 13 Jun 2025

25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 
28-30 Nov 2024 QLD & WA

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

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 27 Jan 2025 05 Feb 2025 07 Mar 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 16 Jun 2025 24 Jul 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 

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 09 Sep 2024 19 Sep 2024 01 Nov 2024

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

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

Often I go back to my notes from the courses and the assignments that I did, and I can pull directly from those.

Mark Evans, LLM Graduate Property Law

All of 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

INVEST IN YOUR WHERE'S NEXT

PURSUE YOUR PASSION - ADVANCE YOUR EXPERTISE

9
Property Law subjects across NSW and QLD plus the Capstone
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 Masters in 2 years. However, you have five years to complete the course from your intake commencement date.

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)

Learn more by reading our Policy Index.

As you have 5 years to complete your Masters, you don’t need to complete a subject every intake. However, if you do not study for 2 consecutive intakes – then you can apply for a Leave of Absence. You can only request a leave of absence twice over the course of your studies.

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).

A maximum of three subject credits may be granted towards the Masters awards.

  • If you have undertaken a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with The College of Law within the last ten years, you may apply to receive up to two elective subjects of unspecified credit.
  • If you have undertaken a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with another provider within the last ten years, you may apply to receive one elective subject of unspecified credit.
  • If you have undertaken other postgraduate study, such as an LLM or Graduate Diploma of Law, whether you have completed the award or not, you may be eligible to receive credit for that study.
  • Accredited Specialists may qualify for exemption of the foundations subject and Capstone Project for their area of major.
  • Applicants who have completed a Legal Practice Management Course at The College of Law in may receive one subject specified credit.

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 2024, each subject in our postgraduate programmes costs $3,950, with no GST applicable. 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 Commonwealth Government's FEE-HELP scheme.

Yes, if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you may be eligible to receive FEE-HELP. For more information, download the FEE-Help Factsheet.

Yes, you can, but 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. For more details, you can click here

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up to keep up to date with latest news, programs, events and career tips.

We use cookies to compile information about how our website is used and to improve the experience of our website visitors. For more information about the cookies we use, please read our Cookies and Electronic Marketing Policy. To adjust your cookie settings, click 'More information'. By clicking 'Accept and continue', you consent to our use of cookies.
College of Law recommends the use of all cookies to provide you with the optimal experience while visiting our website. Choose below to accept the recommended settings or continue to adjust your individual preferences.

Adjust your settings

We use three kinds of cookies on our websites: required, functional, and advertising. You can choose to opt out of functional and advertising cookies. Click on the different cookie categories to find out more about each category and to change the default settings.
Required cookies are necessary for basic website functionality. Some examples include: session cookies needed to transmit the website, authentication cookies, and security cookies.
Functional cookies enhance functions, performance, and services on the website. Some examples include: cookies used to analyze site traffic, cookies used for market research, and cookies used to display advertising that is not directed to a particular individual.
Advertising cookies track activity across websites in order to understand a viewer's interests, and direct them specific marketing. Some examples include: cookies used for remarketing, or interest-based advertising.