Graduate Diploma in Employment and Labour Relations Law

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

Employment and labour relations law is ideal for legal practitioners, the public sector, corporate management and human resources/personnel services, trade unions and employer groups.

This specialisation caters for legal practitioners as well as non-lawyers with experience and interest in the legal regulation of employment and labour relations.

In-depth analysis of recent developments in this complex and evolving area ensures the program remains at the forefront of legal knowledge in this field.

The subject Principles of Employment Law is designed to be of particular assistance to students without previous (or recent) legal study in the area.

Course structure

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.

Note: Most subjects in the MLM program are 12.5 credit points each. Check individual subject handbook entries for confirmation.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• a degree in Law (LLB, JD or equivalent) at honours standard or equivalent leading to admission to legal practice; or
• a degree in Law (LLB, JD or equivalent) or equivalent leading to admission to legal practice and at least one year of documented, relevant professional experience; or
• an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and at least one year of documented, relevant professional work experience.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and if necessary
• the professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

• The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
• The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
• The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
• The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support.

Intended learning outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Employment and Labour Relations Law will:

• Have advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge relating to the field of employment and labour relations law, including the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in relation to:
• the legal principles of Australian employment and labour relations law
• emerging and contemporary issues in employment and labour relations law
• technical aspects of Australian employment and labour relations law using historical, theoretical and practical perspectives
• the development of mployment and labour relations law in an international (and comparative) context
• Have expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills that equip them to independently:
• analyse, critically reflect on and synthesise complex information, concepts and theories in the subjects studied in the field of employment and labour relations law
• research and apply such information, concepts and theories to the relevant body of knowledge and practice; and
• interpret and transmit their knowledge, skills and ideas to professional specialist and non-specialist audiences
• Apply their knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of employment and labour relations law.