HomeCoursesLegal supportDiploma of Paralegal Services
Diploma of Paralegal Services
This diploma builds on legal office experience rather than starting from scratch, because entry assumes you have already completed units in legal research, protecting client information and drafting documents, or have two years of relevant full-time work behind you.
- Duration: 6 months to 18 months
- Study mode: Online and on campus
- Course code: BSB50720
Where you can study this course
- Campuses
- 4 campuses
- Duration
- 6 months to 18 months
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- South Bank
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- On campus with some online
- Full fee
- $12,565
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
North Metropolitan TAFE
- Campuses
- Perth
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
What students say
Opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, with some students finding the organisation and admin frustrating and a number unhappy with the course content.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Canberra Institute of Technology
- Campuses
- 6 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students praise the trainers and teaching highly, and most also rate the cost and value well. Many like the course content, though a number of students had mixed views on the teaching.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
Entry to this qualification is limited to those who: Have completed the following units (or equivalent competencies): BSBLEG314 Protect information in a legal services environment; BSBLEG423 Conduct simple legal research; and BSBLEG424 Support the drafting of complex legal documents. Equivalent competencies are predecessors to these units, which have been mapped as equivalent. or Have two years equivalent full-time relevant work experience.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in how the Australian legal system works
- care in handling client information and files
- clear and careful writing skills
- an ability to follow instructions from a solicitor
What will you learn?
You learn how the Australian legal system fits together across jurisdictions, how to take instructions from a client, how to open and maintain a file properly, how to research a point of law and how to write the documents a matter turns on. It suits paralegals and legal support staff who want formal recognition of what they already do, and the grounding to handle more complex work under a solicitor's supervision.
- The Australian legal system
- Legal research methods
- Taking client instructions
- Managing a legal file
- Writing complex legal documents
- Applying law to a matter
Units of competency (5 core, 7 elective)
The qualification is made up of 12 units. Everyone completes the 5 core units below, and the remaining 7 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Career pathways
Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.
A recognised route into Paralegal
Paralegal
Paralegals do much of the research, drafting and case preparation behind a legal matter, working under a solicitor who gives the advice and signs the documents off.
Explore this career →- Weekly pay
- $1,240
- Full-time share
- 53%
- Employment size
- 16,100 workers
- Average age
- 28 years
- Average full-time hours
- 38 hours
- Gender share
- 82% female
- Future growth
- +8%
- Job market
- Not in shortage
Support-role training; it does not confer admission as a lawyer. Entry requirements: Entry to this qualification is limited to those who: Have completed the following units (or equivalent competencies): BSBLEG314 Protect information in a legal services environment; BSBLEG423 Conduct simple legal research; and BSBLEG424 Support the drafting of complex legal documents. Equivalent competencies are predecessors to these units, which have been mapped as equivalent. or Have two years equivalent full-time relevant work experience.
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).