IN-HOUSE PRACTICE
A POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATION IN IN-HOUSE PRACTICE GIVES YOU AN EDGE
The College of Law helps you strengthen your skills in legal risk, compliance, governance and business partnering. Your career is an opportunity to grow your influence. Postgraduate study helps you build the leadership and strategic skills to achieve your professional best.
Advance your career by learning how to manage competing priorities, deliver commercial advice, and build credibility with senior stakeholders. Study a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Laws to enhance your strategic influence as corporate counsel.
Position yourself as a trusted adviser who balances legal and business priorities.
Scroll down to explore postgraduate programs and courses in in-house legal practice.
THE NEXT INTAKE STARTS 9 NOV 2026
Book a call back with one of our Customer and Student Engagement Advisors
PROGRAM OPTIONS - IN-HOUSE PRACTICE
Graduate Certificate in Applied Law
2
Choose any two subjects across practice areas
A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)
Approx 6 months
Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (In-house Practice)
4
2 core subjects (IHP101, IHP102) and 2 IHP electives
A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)
1 year part-time
Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in In-House Practice
8
3 IHP subjects, 4 elective subjects or a second major and the Capstone project in In-house Practice
A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)
2 years part-time
OR START WITH A GRADUATE DIPLOMA
Take control of your career
If you decide later to progress towards a Masters, you’ll receive credit towards that award.
IN-HOUSE PRACTICE SUBJECTS
IHP00 - Capstone Project (In-house Practice)
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
IHP101 - Foundations of In-House Practice
Intake 1, 3This subject has been developed around the core issues faced by in-house lawyers and the unique environment in which they must discharge their legal and professional obligations. Serving the interests of just one client brings both opportunities and tensions. With their professional qualifications, training, experience and ethical commitment to serving the public interest in the administration of justice, corporate and government lawyers can offer far more than simply providing legal advice. They can influence good governance and compliance in their organisation, as well as broader risk-management concerns.
They can act as both facilitators for their client’s objectives and as guardians of their client’s long-term interests. In-house lawyers must be able to communicate effectively and deal with all organisational levels up to the board and the directors.
The in-house role also requires a thorough understanding of the risks the client faces in its operations. From a management perspective, in-house lawyers must understand how to provide appropriate service levels, optimise execution and yet manage costs while achieving scale in both of these areas. Professionally, the in-house lawyer must be prepared to withstand challenges to their professional independence and integrity.
TOPICS
- Working in-house and in the private and public sectors
- Challenges for in-house lawyers – balancing the roles of facilitator and guardian
- Communicating effectively in an in-house environment
- Balancing your role as facilitator against your compliance obligations
- Understanding professional duties – maintaining confidentiality and privilege
- Duties and statutory requirements
- Managing your own risk – limiting your liability if something goes wrong
- Briefing out – an introduction to engaging external legal providers and managing the relationships and costs
IHP102 - Managing Disputes
Intake 2TOPICS
- Understanding the role of the in-house lawyer
- Dealing with legal and business risk
- Managing complaints effectively
- Dispute management processes
- Managing electronic communications
- Freedom of information
- Legal professional privilege
- Dealing with external lawyers
IHP111 - Acting as a Company Secretary
Intake 1The role of the company secretary has evolved since the corporate collapses of the 1990s (notably HIH Insurance Ltd in Australia), the High Court decision in Shafron v ASIC (2012) 247 CLR 465; [2012] HCA 18, and the global financial crisis (GFC) and subsequent collapse of many highly leveraged businesses.
Irrespective of organisation size or type, the board will look to the company secretary not only to perform administrative tasks, but to provide it with timely information about policy, compliance and governance matters.
As a trusted advisor and custodian of corporate knowledge, the company secretary needs to understand their own role as well as the related functions – legal, risk, audit and compliance, and ensure that they do not become an alternate and perhaps conflicting source of advice.
The company secretary is now expected to be a focal point for assurance and better practice on the law and procedures, and also for better practice that underpins board decision making and good corporate governance. Company secretaries need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to discharge their duties effectively.
TOPICS
- The role of the company secretary
- Managing the relationship with the board
- Company secretaries; corporate governance and key responsibilities
- Managing company information
- Conducting meetings
- Acting as a company secretary in public sector organisations
- Assessing board performance
- Managing board performance
IHP112 - Managing the Legal Team
Intake 4TOPICS
- Understanding the value of the legal department
- Structuring the in-house legal department
- Contributing to strategic planning
- Communicating effectively for the in-house legal team
- Managing a crisis
- Planning and managing a budget
- Developing effective management systems
- Managing people - recruiting the legal team and performance management
IHP116 - Multi-Disciplinary Project Management
Intake 3Project management encompasses a broad range of disciplines and skills. It is a recognised profession and becoming increasingly relevant to in-house counsel as they execute legal matters and provide support for major business projects. Both internal and external clients now expect senior lawyers to be familiar with project management concepts and to be able to apply these to their legal matters and the legal work streams of major projects.
This in turn will reduce the executional risk of strategic business programs which are the mechanism by which major organisations deliver on their strategic objectives; build and deliver new products; and undertake process improvements.
The primary objective of this subject is to introduce lawyers to the concepts of project management and to provide concepts that can be applied to legal work when appropriate. Students will become familiar with recent trends in legal project management; the various components of the project life cycle; and a lawyer’s role and contribution at the various stages of the life cycle.
TOPICS
- Introducing project management Initiation
- Defining the project
- Planning
- Analysing and allocating risk
- Procurement – tendering and other options
- Execution: directing and managing, monitoring and controlling
- Post-implementation reviews
- Legal project management
START DATES
| Aug Intake 3 | Nov Intake 4 | Feb Intake 1 | May Intake 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| START DATE | 10 Aug 2026 | 09 Nov 2026 | 08 Feb 2027 | 10 May 2027 |
| CENSUS | 26 Aug 2026 | 02 Dec 2026 | 24 Feb 2027 | 26 May 2027 |
| END DATE | 30 Oct 2026 | 05 Feb 2027 | 30 Apr 2027 | 30 Jul 2027 |
| Subject | Start Date | Census | End Date | Workshop Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Sep 2026 | 17 Sep 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| DRP3 - Advocacy | 21 Sep 2026 | 30 Sep 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 |
15 - 17 October 2026 |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 21 Sep 2026 | 30 Sep 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 02 Nov 2026 | 11 Nov 2026 | 11 Dec 2026 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success | 02 Nov 2026 | 11 Nov 2026 | 11 Dec 2026 | |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 25 Jan 2027 | 03 Feb 2027 | 05 Mar 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 08 Feb 2027 | 17 Feb 2027 | 19 Mar 2027 |
Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 22 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 30 Apr 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 05 Apr 2027 | 21 Apr 2027 | 28 May 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 03 May 2027 | 12 May 2027 | 11 Jun 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success | 03 May 2027 | 12 May 2027 | 11 Jun 2027 | |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 14 Jun 2027 | 23 Jun 2027 | 23 Jul 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| Subject | Start Date | Census | End Date | Workshop Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Sep 2026 | 17 Sep 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 21 Sep 2026 | 30 Sep 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 02 Nov 2026 | 11 Nov 2026 | 11 Dec 2026 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 25 Jan 2027 | 03 Feb 2027 | 05 Mar 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027
|
| FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 08 Feb 2027 | 17 Feb 2027 | 19 Mar 2027 |
Intake 1, 2027
|
| FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 22 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 30 Apr 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 05 Apr 2027 | 21 Apr 2027 | 28 May 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 03 May 2027 | 12 May 2027 | 11 Jun 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027 |
| FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 14 Jun 2027 | 23 Jun 2027 | 23 Jul 2027 |
Intake 2, 2026 Intake 1, 2027
|
TEACHING STAFF
David Cosgrave
Part-time Member, Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Non-executive Director
Darling Downs & West Moreton Primary Health Network
HAVE QUESTIONS OR READY TO ENROL?
Book a call back with one of our Customer and Student Engagement Advisors
My degree was extremely beneficial. If I had my time over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Dominique Mayo, LLM Graduate - Commercial Litigation
I would describe the College of Law as inspiring, innovative, and collegiate.
Krystal Bellamy, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates
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.
Yes. Many students study one subject per intake while working full-time.
Allow around 10–12 hours each week for one subject. This is not usually one long block of study. Your week may include working through online learning materials, reading relevant legislation, cases and commentary, preparing for weekly discussions, attending a 45–60-minute live online interaction and planning, drafting and reviewing assessment work.
The workload will vary from week to week, particularly around assessment dates. Most graduates recommend starting with one subject, setting aside regular study blocks and beginning assessments early.
For a closer look at how lawyers balance postgraduate study with full-time work, read our guide on studying a Master of Laws while working full-time.
For a practical sense of the weekly commitment, see what 10–12 hours of postgraduate study actually looks like each week.
There are four intakes a year: February, May, August and November.
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.
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.
Yes, you can, but StudyAssist FEE-HELP will not apply.
Graduate Certificate in Applied Law
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Law requires the successful completion of two subjects and can typically be completed in six months, making it the fastest way to earn a postgraduate law qualification.
This qualification is ideal for:
- Practitioners seeking targeted, practical upskilling in a specific area of law
- Lawyers looking for a low‑commitment entry point into postgraduate study
Graduate Diploma of Applied Law
The Graduate Diploma of Applied Law requires the successful completion of four subjects and can be completed part‑time in one year.
This qualification is ideal for:
- Broader coverage across one or more practice areas
- Greater depth of expertise than a Graduate Certificate
- A recognised postgraduate qualification without the time commitment of a Master’s degree
Master of Laws (Applied Law)
The Master of Laws (Applied Law) requires the successful completion of eight subjects and supports long‑term career development.
This qualification can be completed part‑time over two years and offers:
- The option to complete one or two majors
- Advanced, practice‑focused learning
- Deeper specialisation for experienced practitioners
Master of Applied Law (Family Law)
For practitioners specialising in family law, the College also offers the Master of Applied Law (Family Law). This degree is designed for those who want to focus exclusively on family law and requires:
- Four core family law subjects
- Three family law elective subjects
- Completion of the Family Law Capstone Project
Need tips on how to choose the right Master of Laws? read this article for great insights
The Capstone Project is the final subject in your major and brings together the knowledge and practical skills developed throughout your postgraduate program.
It challenges you to apply those skills in complex, realistic legal scenarios, strengthening core lawyering capabilities such as legal research and analysis, writing, problem‑solving, advocacy, negotiation and professional reflection.
As part of the Capstone Project, students:
- Complete a series of short‑answer written exercises with individual and group feedback
- Prepare legal writing drafts, revise them based on lecturer feedback, and refine them to professional standard
- Submit a Final Portfolio, which includes written work, an oral assessment, and a reflective exercise
Optional skills modules in research, writing, ethics, problem‑solving and oral communication are available throughout the intake to support assessment preparation and skill development.
The Capstone Project is designed to demonstrate your readiness for advanced legal practice and is a key component of your final qualification.
The fee per subject in 2026 is $4,150 (no GST applies)
The fee per subject in 2027 is $4,295 (no GST applies)
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 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, visit the FEE-HELP website.
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.
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 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.
The College of Law offers postgraduate courses across a wide range of legal practice areas, designed to help you specialise, deepen your expertise and advance your career.
You can choose from:
- Business Law and Transactions
- Commercial Litigation
- Dispute Resolution
- Family Dispute Resolution Practice
- Family Law
- Government and Public Sector Law
- In-house Practice
- International Arbitration
- Wills and Estates
- Estate Planning
- ASEAN+6 Legal Practice
- Property Law
- Legal Business Management
- Additionally you can Customise your program or choose a double major
Each area includes Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Laws options, giving you the flexibility to tailor your study to your professional goals.
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.
There are many ways to build your legal career. You can specialise in a practice area that aligns with your interests and clients’ needs.
Explore our career guides to see where each path could take you:
- Business Law and Transactions
- Commercial Litigation
- Dispute Resolution
- Family Dispute Resolution Practice
- Family Law
- Government and Public Sector Law
- In-house Practice
- International Arbitration
- Wills and Estates
- Estate Planning
- ASEAN+6 Legal Practice
- Property Law
- Legal Business Management
Each guide outlines typical work, key skills, study options and how to get started.
Graduate Certificate in Applied Law
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Law requires the successful completion of two subjects and can typically be completed in six months, making it the fastest way to earn a postgraduate law qualification.
This qualification is ideal for:
- Practitioners seeking targeted, practical upskilling in a specific area of law
- Lawyers looking for a low‑commitment entry point into postgraduate study
Graduate Diploma of Applied Law
The Graduate Diploma of Applied Law requires the successful completion of four subjects and can be completed part‑time in one year.
This qualification is ideal for:
- Broader coverage across one or more practice areas
- Greater depth of expertise than a Graduate Certificate
- A recognised postgraduate qualification without the time commitment of a Master’s degree
Master of Laws (Applied Law)
The Master of Laws (Applied Law) requires the successful completion of eight subjects and supports long‑term career development.
This qualification can be completed part‑time over two years and offers:
- The option to complete one or two majors
- Advanced, practice‑focused learning
- Deeper specialisation for experienced practitioners
Master of Applied Law (Family Law)
For practitioners specialising in family law, the College also offers the Master of Applied Law (Family Law). This degree is designed for those who want to focus exclusively on family law and requires:
- Four core family law subjects
- Three family law elective subjects
- Completion of the Family Law Capstone Project
Need tips on how to choose the right Master of Laws? read this article for great insights
Although closely related, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution Practice lead to different professional roles and outcomes.
Family Dispute Resolution Practice
Family Dispute Resolution Practice prepares students to become a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP). FDRPs are independent professionals who facilitate advanced dispute resolution around parenting, property and financial matters outside the court process.
You do not need a Family Law qualification to become an accredited FDRP. Accredited requires completion of a Family Dispute Resolution Practice qualification.
Family Law
Family Law postgraduate programs focus on building practical expertise in negotiation and dispute resolution, litigation and court processes, and advising clients through separation, property division and settlements.
Family Lawyers cannot become FDRPs without completing a Family Dispute Resolution Practice qualification.
If you are looking to deepen your expertise across both areas, the Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Family Dispute Resolution Practice and Family Law is the right fit for you.
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.
Yes. Many LLM students choose electives from our Legal Business Management course. Please contact us to learn how.
