Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
Duration:
0.5 years full time or longer for part time
Delivery mode:
Face to Face with eLearning
Location: 
City Campus
Start dates:
3 February 2025
14 July 2025
Application due dates:
Applications for this course are currently being accepted.
Apply

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 legal knowledge as well as transferable skills for many 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
  • communicating effectively
  • understanding the Australian legal system.

You'll graduate ready to provide support in a range of legal services. You may find work in supporting roles within the legal system, such as a legal secretary or assistant paralegal.

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:

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.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

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

To be awarded the BSB40620 Certificate IV in Legal Services, 10 units must be completed consisting of:
- 5 core units
- 5 elective units, of which:

- 2 elective units must be selected from Group A
- 1 elective unit must be selected from Group B
- for the remaining 2 elective units:
* up to 2 units may be selected from Groups A and B
* if not listed, up to 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.

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 Elective Units

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 for this course: VET

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:

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Skills First (subsidised) indicative fees 

The Skills First government contribution in 2024 towards this course is $4,862. If eligible, you will pay:

  • Tuition: $3,614*
  • Materials: $0
  • Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF): maximum per year $175.50**

*A concession rate of 20% of the standard Skills First subsidised tuition fee is available if you are eligible for a concession. Learn more about concessions.

**May be subject to change.

Full-fee place

2024 total indicative fees: $7,280.

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

applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.

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.

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.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

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.

Available start dates:
  • 3 February 2025
  • 14 July 2025

Before you apply

Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 23 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 3 February 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

Enquire now – TAFE

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Get help

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.