Major shifts in laws governing the workplace and labour force in Australia mean that understanding the regulatory framework pertaining to employment and labour relations practices is more important than ever.

The Graduate Diploma in Employment and Labour Relations Law (GDipEmp&LRelLaw) is ideal for legal practitioners and non-lawyers with an interest in the legal regulation of employment and labour relations, including those working in the public sector, corporate management and human resources/personnel services as well as trade unions and employer groups.

Working with lecturers who are leaders in their fields, and fellow students from Australia and around the world, you’ll have a unique opportunity to gain advanced understanding of employment and labour relations law, its recent developments and its interaction with the governance and practice of the industry.

The Graduate Diploma in Employment and Labour Relations Law is part of the world-renowned Melbourne Law Masters program.

Principles of Employment Law is compulsory for students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction, and it is strongly recommended that this subject be taken before any other employment and labour relations law subjects.

Principles of Employment Law is also recommended for students who have not studied an equivalent subject in their law degree, or who have not done so recently.

Students must complete 50 credit points from the list of Employment and Labour Relations Law subjects.

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction or any prior legal studies or experience must complete the two-day preliminary subject Australian Legal Process and Legal Institutions and Principles of Employment Law.

Subject timing and format

The Melbourne Law Masters program has been designed around the busy schedules of working professionals. Subjects are offered from February to December each year. Most subjects are taught intensively over five days, with some subjects taught for two hours each week during the semester.

Subjects delivered online will have a combination of pre-recorded lecture content, live sessions and discussion boards among other resources. On-campus subjects involve interactive, seminar-style classes in the Law Building in Melbourne.

Duration

Full-time students enrol in 50 credit points per semester (or half-year period) and have an expected course duration of six months. Part-time* students enrol in 25 credit points per semester (or half-year period) and have an expected course duration of one year. Semesters without enrolments require a student to apply for a leave of absence.

*Part-time enrolment is for domestic students only. Part-time students may reduce their study load to 12.5 credit points per half-year period and thus have a maximum course duration of two years.

For detailed course and subject information, see the Handbook: Graduate Diploma in Employment and Labour Relations Law.

As a student in the Graduate Diploma in Employment and Labour Relations Law, you’ll develop an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of employment and labour relations law, including:

• Legal principles of Australian employment and labour relations law
• Emerging and contemporary issues in Australian employment and labour relations law
• Technical aspects of Australian employment and labour relations law using historical, theoretical and practical perspectives; and
• The development of Australian employment and labour relations law in an international (and comparative) context.

You’ll also develop skills in critical analysis and the ability to interpret and transmit your ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences, including clients.

Many students who complete four subjects towards the Graduate Diploma in Employment and Labour Relations Law decide to take four more subjects to complete a Master of Employment and Labour Relations Law.

Applicants must have completed: A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to legal practice, with a University of Melbourne equivalent score of at least 70, or equivalent

IELTS (academic English Only): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 + ; Writing 21; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 58 + no communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 + no skill below 169.