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Certificate IV · national qualification

Certificate IV in Legal Services

This qualification prepares you to work in a legal support role, most often as a legal secretary, in a law firm, an in-house legal team or a community legal centre.

Compare 6 providers
How long it takes
6 to 12 months
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $1,980
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $8,180
How you can study
Online or on campus
Taught by
6 providers
6 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate IV in Legal Services asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in how the law works
  • careful attention to detail with documents
  • good written and spoken communication skills
  • a respectful approach to confidential client information

Before you start

The qualification has no set entry requirements, but each provider can add its own.

Where this course can take you

No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.

Jobs this course can help with

None of these jobs needs a set qualification.

  • Court Registrar

    Court registrars run the administrative side of a courtroom, keeping case files, hearing lists and the official record in order.

    Median pay$58,200 (estimate)

  • Law Clerk

    Law clerks do the research, drafting and file work that keep a legal matter moving under a solicitor's or barrister's supervision.

    Median pay$69,900

  • Legal Secretary

    Legal secretaries run the paperwork of a law firm's matters, preparing court documents, keeping files and diaries in order, and handling contact with clients and courts.

    Median pay$84,600

  • Visa and Citizenship Officer

    Visa and citizenship officers assess applications for visas, citizenship and related status against migration law, and their decisions determine who may enter, stay or settle in Australia.

    Median pay$85,800 (estimate)

If you study further

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $1,980

at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.

Paying the full fee

$8,180

across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $1,980
    Concession
    $240
    Full fee
    $8,180
    How long
    6 to 12 months

Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.

Where you can study this course

There are 6 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

10 units: 5 that everyone takes and 5 you choose.

  • The Australian legal system
  • Conducting legal research
  • Drafting complex legal documents
  • Protecting client information
  • Workplace communication strategies
See all 5 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

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Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It prepares you to work in a legal support role, most often as a legal secretary, in a law firm, an in-house legal team or a community legal centre. You use well-developed skills and a broad knowledge base, apply solutions to unpredictable problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. Roles it leads to include Legal Secretary, Court Officer, Law Clerk, Sheriffs Officer and Trust Officer.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

The qualification itself has no entry requirements. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.

Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.