Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Family Dispute Resolution Practice and Family Law

MASTER OF LAWS (APPLIED LAW) MAJORING IN FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PRACTICE AND FAMILY LAW

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

IS YOUR TRUE CALLING TO HELP OTHERS? CONSIDER FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PRACTICE

Suited to compassionate and people-oriented professionals, family law is one of the most rewarding areas of practice. You’ll work closely with families and support them during the most pivotal moments in their lives. It’s also a constantly evolving field – opening the door to new and interesting challenges every day.

Within Family Law, Family Dispute Resolution Practice supports people affected by separation or divorce. But they work outside the typical, adversarial legal system. Instead, they provide a more human touch. As an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner, you will combine mediation with empathy to help families reach their own agreements. And where possible – you’ll give a voice to children so they can shape their own future.

The Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Family Dispute Resolution Practice and Family Law offers focused training in negotiation, mediation, and communication, essential for effectively resolving family disputes. In the Family Law second major, you can choose from a variety of electives, covering areas such as family practice foundations, property and support issues, and complex parenting challenges. This program is designed to deepen your understanding of critical family law aspects, preparing you to adeptly navigate and resolve complex family-related legal issues.

To complete this award, you must successfully complete the following subjects:

4 core subjects (FDR1*, FDR2, FDR3 and FDR4) and
FDR5 or 20 hours external practicum and
4 subjects from Family Law practice area.

Recognition of Prior Learning*
Current Nationally Accredited Mediators may be eligible for advanced standing for the FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation subject.

To formally become a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, you must also apply for accreditation with the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. Learn more.

Complete family dispute resolution practice or the NMAS-accredited mediator training program to automatically receive free student membership with the Resolution Institute for the duration of your course and a 20% discount on the Institute’s professional membership fee for the first year of membership.

Resolution Institute logo

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
Please note FDRP subjects are run as intensives in a six weeks format rather than the standard 12 weeks format. And we strongly advise not to enrol in any additional subject during the completion of FDRP intensive subjects.
Gather your documents
- Academic Records
  You’ll need to submit one of the following:
  - An undergraduate degree or higher qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Law, Conflict Management, Dispute Resolution, Family Law Mediation, or equivalent.
  - Accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS).
  - Mediation skill set from the Community Services Training Package (CHC).
- 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.
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.

PRACTICUM COMPONENT

Successful completion of both FDR4 and FDR5 subjects will enable students to fully satisfy their practicum component requirement.

The option to complete the practicum requirements independently with an external supervisor, subject to meeting the usual requirements is also available. Any student requiring additional information regarding fulfilling the practicum requirements can contact the Customer and Student Engagement team at postgrad@collaw.edu.au.

Students can apply for recognition of prior learning for FDR5, should they organise and complete external practicum. You can find details of accredited family dispute resolution practitioners at Family Dispute Resolution Providers Register and Family Relationships Online which may assist your search for independent placements.

PREREQUISITES

You must hold a recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent) to enrol in the Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Family Dispute Resolution Practice and Family Law.

ASSESSMENTS

Your assessments may vary from course to course. However, these are the most common assessments that you will need to complete:

Mediation Role Plays
Oral Assessments
Written Assessments
Short writing activities
Reflection activities

For all student policies refer to our policy index.

FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PRACTICE (FDRP) SUBJECTS

FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation

Intake FDRP

This subject forms the foundation of the family dispute resolution (FDR) subjects. In this subject students will be introduced to family law and the place of mediation within family law.

Students will acquire the requisite knowledge to enable them, as a family dispute resolution practitioners (FDRP), to contextualise and appreciate each party’s unique situation within the family law framework, and assist each of them to understand their own role and their respective roles in the process.

This subject also discusses where mediation sits on the dispute resolution spectrum and how the process assists in the resolution of family disputes.

TOPICS

Overview of Australian family law
Obligations of a family dispute resolution practitioner
The dispute resolution spectrum
Conflict analysis and pre-mediation preparation
Mediation models
Facilitative mediation process
Communication skills in mediation Common issues in mediation

*Current Nationally Accredited Mediators are eligible for advanced standing for the FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation subject.

FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution

Intake FDRP

An understanding of families involves an introduction to the meaning and purpose of the family system, and how the family is impacted through separation. This subject introduces the student to the nuances of working with conflicted families. It will focus on understanding how family groups function and how they are affected by conflict. In particular students will explore how children exposed to parental conflict can be impacted.

TOPICS

Defining and understanding families
Emotional impact of separation on family members
Children's needs and best interests
Family law and children's matters
Parenting plans and parenting orders.

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution

Intake FDRP

This subject explores some of the advanced concepts surrounding mediating with families, such as recognising and managing ethical dilemmas, screening and assessing family and domestic violence, and managing the complexities of working with perpetrators of violence. It is important that family dispute resolution practitioners (FDRPs) are able to assess whether their clients and cases are suitable for dispute resolution processes such as mediation and conciliation. It is also important that they are able to identify matters such as power imbalances and cultural issues that may impact on their clients’ ability to negotiate effectively within these processes. From a broad-based perspective, this subject also encompasses wider factors such as gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, language, level of education and the effect of intergenerational differences.

TOPICS

Family violence, child protection and the law
Screening for violence, risk assessment and safety planning
Techniques for managing volatile clients and situations
Ethics in family dispute resolution.

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone

Intake FDRP

FDR4 is designed to be the clinical subject to underpin the theory of family dispute resolution practice. By the end of this subject students will have an understanding of the family dispute resolution case management principles. By completing this subject students will have the opportunity to manage family dispute resolution cases within simulated workplace experiences. Students will take the carriage of four matters of various complexities that they will manage from intake, through to assessment, education, and referral, culminating in conducting the mediation. Successful completion of this subject will provide 30 hours of clinical placement under the FDRP practicum requirements.

TOPICS

Introduction to family dispute resolution case management Intakes (and variations)
Assessment for suitability Information and referrals for mediation
Property matters in family dispute resolution
Child support assessment formula
Preparing for and conducting mediation

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice

Intake FDRP

This subject is designed to provide students with the virtual simulation practice in family dispute resolution setting. This subject consists of the items of practical coursework. During this subject, students will be required to lead or co-facilitate on three matters, including: children matters and property matters.

TOPICS

This subject will be conducted over 8 weeks with 5 days online face to face sessions to be spread over 3 weeks. Each student will be allocated three matters and will be required to conduct an intake for each of the matters as well as a mediation session.

Students will also be required to complete several assessments associated with the matters such as written agreements, intake assessment forms and matter analysis.

The online face to face sessions will be conducted in the following weeks: Week 3 – 1 day online face to face; Week 4 – 3 days online face to face; and Week 7 - 1 day online face to face.

Students will be allocated in the groups of four and assigned a supervisor/coach for the assessments and feedback. Successful completion of this subject will provide students with the remaining 20 hours of clinical placement under the FDRP practicum requirements.

FAMILY LAW SUBJECTS

FLP00 - Capstone Project (Family 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.

TOPICS

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, 4

This subject family law is concerned with people, rather than property or financial matters. It includes the law and practice concerning parenting after separation or divorce. It also examines the law and practice of divorce. The subject aims to provide students with a strong foundation for practising in family law and covers most common issues encountered by family lawyers in practice. A more advanced subject deals with topics which are less common in law practice.

TOPICS

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, 4

This subject provides students with an introduction and overview of the process for resolving property and maintenance disputes with a focus on issues encountered in everyday practice. On satisfactory completion of this subject students will understand fundamental theories and practices in family law property, maintenance and child support 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

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, 3

Conducting a family law matter – whether involving property, spouse maintenance, parenting, child support or other issues – requires a range of skills and procedural knowledge. This subject covers the steps involved in reaching a settlement, from the first conference with the client, through to the end of a final hearing. At the end of this subject students will be able to apply a problem-solving methodology and knowledge of procedural law to the conduct of all aspects of family law matters, both in and out of court.

TOPICS

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, 4

This subject will build on FLP1 Foundations of Family Law and will provide a practical and in-depth study of the more complex, evolving and emerging issues in the areas of parenting, children and family law.

TOPICS

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, 3

Family law is a multifaceted area of legal practice which helps people to deal with the legal aspects of family disputes, including relationship breakdowns. This subject provides an in-depth understanding of some of the more complex issues in property, spousal maintenance and child support, such as cross-border disputes, taxation issues, bankruptcy and the court’s power to bind third parties. The subject takes a practical approach to equip family law practitioners with the knowledge and skills to deal with these advanced issues in practice.

TOPICS

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 3

This subject is about the development and management of a family law practice. managing any legal practice requires a different set of skills to the technical and practical aspects of working as a lawyer on legal matters. Establishing a new legal practice and managing that practice for growth can be challenging. The personal circumstances and particular pressures facing many family law clients bring another dynamic to management of a family law practice. This subject considers a range of issues that are relevant to the effective and efficient conduct of a family law practice.

TOPICS

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 2

This 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, 3

This subject is skills based and focused on developing advocacy skills in family law matters. Many lawyers are aware that their advocacy skills can require fine-tuning because of the increasing use of dispute resolution mechanisms. An increasing number of lawyers are choosing to appear as an advocate in their matters on interim hearings and sometimes even on final hearings. Whether students appear as a lawyer/advocate in a matter or they choose to brief counsel, it is important that the lawyer with carriage of the matter has a good working knowledge of the various stages of proceedings and their obligations.

TOPICS

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

Showing options for 'General'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.

	Feb Intake 1	May Intake 2	Aug Intake 3	Nov Intake 4
START DATE	10 Feb 2025	12 May 2025	11 Aug 2025	10 Nov 2025
CENSUS	26 Feb 2025	28 May 2025	27 Aug 2025	03 Dec 2025
END DATE	02 May 2025	01 Aug 2025	31 Oct 2025	06 Feb 2026

Showing options for 'Intensives'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.

Subject	Start Date	Census	End Date	Workshop Date
DRP3 - Advocacy	22 Sep 2025	01 Oct 2025	31 Oct 2025	15 - 17 October 2025
DRP4 - Mediation	06 Oct 2025	15 Oct 2025	14 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 1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC 4 - 6 September 2025 QLD/WA
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation	11 Aug 2025	20 Aug 2025	19 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	02 Apr 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	22 Sep 2025	01 Oct 2025	31 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	03 Nov 2025	12 Nov 2025	12 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	27 Jan 2025	05 Feb 2025	27 Mar 2025	17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 20 - 22 February 2025 NSW & VIC: 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA 19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone	16 Jun 2025	25 Jun 2025	25 Jul 2025	17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 20 - 22 February 2025 NSW & VIC: 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA 19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone	26 Jan 2026	04 Feb 2026	06 Mar 2026	17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 20 - 22 February 2025 NSW & VIC: 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA 19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice	07 Apr 2025	17 Apr 2025	30 May 2025	Day 1 - 24 April 2025 Days 2 - 4: 29 April - 1 May 2025 Day 5 – 20 May 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 Days 2-4 – 30 September - 2 October 2025 Day 5 – 22 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 5 – 20 May 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 Days 2-4 – 30 September - 2 October 2025 Day 5 – 22 October 2025
LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success	05 May 2025	14 May 2025	13 Jun 2025
LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success	03 Nov 2025	12 Nov 2025	12 Dec 2025

Showing options for 'FDRP'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.

Subject	Start Date	Census	End Date	Workshop Date
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 1 - 3 September 2025 NSW/VIC 4 - 6 September 2025 QLD/WA
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation	11 Aug 2025	20 Aug 2025	19 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	02 Apr 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	22 Sep 2025	01 Oct 2025	31 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	03 Nov 2025	12 Nov 2025	12 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	27 Jan 2025	05 Feb 2025	07 Mar 2025	17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 20 - 22 February 2025 NSW & VIC: 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA 19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone	16 Jun 2025	25 Jul 2025	25 Jul 2025	17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 20 - 22 February 2025 NSW & VIC: 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA 19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone	26 Jan 2026	04 Feb 2026	06 Mar 2026	17 - 19 February 2025 QLD & WA 20 - 22 February 2025 NSW & VIC: 7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC 16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA 19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice	07 Apr 2025	17 Apr 2025	30 May 2025	Day 1 - 24 April 2025 Days 2 - 4: 29 April - 1 May 2025 Day 5 – 20 May 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 Days 2-4 – 30 September - 2 October 2025 Day 5 – 22 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 5 – 20 May 2025 Day 1 – 26 September 2025 Days 2-4 – 30 September - 2 October 2025 Day 5 – 22 October 2025

My studies with the College provided me further insight into where family law is now looking to give some children a voice, particularly regarding parenting plans.

Josephine Byrnes-Luna, FDRP Graduate

Family law can be very litigious, but it doesn't have to be. So my practice in learning more about dispute resolution areas and how to manage dispute resolution and conflict resolution was valuable.

Emma Youdale, LLM Graduate - FDRP

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Kay Smith Scholarship

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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:

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 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