Published: 11th February 2022.
Written by Jodie Magrath
A Diploma of Paralegal Services is an ideal qualification if you’re hoping to advance your career in the legal industry. Whether you’re getting your start in this exciting profession or wanting to boost your career opportunities, this course can give you the skills you need to succeed. You’ll be prepared to work as a paralegal or as a legal secretary or assistant. Not only will you develop your understanding of the Australian legal system, you’ll also improve your administration skills for work in a legal environment.
The Diploma of Paralegal Services covers a range of topics relevant to this field of work. You’ll learn to follow legal instructions and maintain a filing system. This course will show you techniques for carrying out legal research and writing legal documents. You’ll be able to specialise in an area that suits your career plans such as contract law, tort law, litigation and evidence, property law, criminal law, family law or court procedures.
A Diploma of Paralegal Services is an ideal course of study for the following careers:
Paralegal
A Paralegal provides assistance to lawyers and other legal professionals. You might help to prepare for court cases by ensuring relevant materials and documents are available. Paralegals also interview clients and witnesses and prepare transcripts. You may be instructed to conduct research relevant to an upcoming case. Paralegals also maintain legal filing systems and conduct other administrative tasks.
Legal Secretary
A Legal Secretary performs a range of administrative duties for other legal professionals. You may work at a legal practice or at a courthouse. Legal Secretaries may prepare legal documents and paperwork or transcribe documents used in legal proceedings. You might arrange meetings with clients, take notes or maintain client files. You may also answer phone calls and schedule appointments.
Legal Assistant
Legal Assistants offer a range of support to lawyers and other legal professionals. You might meet with clients or collect information from witnesses. Legal Assistants may carry out research relating to a court case or prepare legal documents and paperwork. You might help clients prepare for a court appearance, transcribe interviews when required or keep client files up to date.
Higher education pathways
A Diploma of Paralegal Services can give you the skills you need to take on a range of roles in the legal industry. If you want to take your studies further, you could specialise your skills with a Diploma of Crime and Justice Studies. This course could lead to a career in policing, customs, courthouses or corrective services. You could also consider an Advanced Diploma of Justice which will further your knowledge of Australian criminal law.
If you choose to advance your studies, you could enrol in a university degree such as a Bachelor of Laws or a Bachelor of Legal Studies. This will increase your legal knowledge and allow you to take on a role with more responsibility. You may be able to use a Diploma of Paralegal Services as a pathway to these courses.
Getting started
If you’re considering enrolling in a Diploma of Paralegal Services, it’s important you collect information from a range of course providers. Providers usually vary in the way they deliver their courses, so you’ll need to find out about the duration of the course, costs, any prerequisites and the content the course will cover. Once you have all the information you can compare details and make a decision about the right course for your needs.