Overview
Develop the skills to support law professionals in a variety of legal matters with a Certificate IV in Legal Services BSB40620 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
This course provides an introduction to the legal services environment. It focuses on developing your specific legal knowledge as well as transferable skills for areas of employment.
You will learn to analyse information and provide solutions to a range of unpredictable problems.
You will gain knowledge and skills in:
- applying legal principles in contract law, tort law, intellectual property law and administrative law matters
- drafting complex legal documents
- conducting legal research
- protecting classified information
- effective communication
- understanding the Australian legal system.
You'll graduate ready to provide support in a range of legal service environments. You may gain employment in supporting roles within the legal system, such as a legal secretary or assistant paralegal.
Library & computer facilities
Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.
You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:
- databases
- e-learning content for courses
- student email
- student software packages
- social networking tools.
On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
TAFE resources
Careers
Prospective careers in the legal services include:
- executive legal assistant
- law clerk
- legal services support officer
- paralegal
- senior legal secretary.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
The course structure comprises the following core and elective units. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
To be awarded the BSB40620 Certificate IV in Legal Services a student must successfully complete a total of Ten (10) units of competency, comprising of:
- Five (5) core units, and;- Five (5) elective units, of which:
- Two (2) elective units must be selected from Group A
- One (1) elective unit must be selected from Group B
- for the remaining 2 elective units:
*up to two (2) units may be selected from Groups A and B
*if not listed, up to two (2) units may be selected from a Certificate III, Certificate IV or Diploma from this or any other currently endorsed Training Package qualification or accredited course.Elective units must be relevant to the work environment and the qualification, maintain the integrity of the AQF alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
CORE UNITS
ELECTIVE UNITS
Group A
Group B
IMPORTED UNITS
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers
Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT), and must be approved by VU Polytechnic.
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of individuals who use well-developed skills and a broad knowledge base to provide support in a range of legal services environments. These individuals apply solutions to a range of unpredictable problems and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. The job roles that relate to this qualification may include Legal Secretary.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.
Browse our other Law & legal courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.
Enquire now – TAFE
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Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
