Postgraduate

Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Law

Expand your knowledge of and further your career in the highly regulated areas of mining, energy and natural resources.
0.5
Years Full Time

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

Expand your skills, expertise and knowledge of law to prepare yourself for the next step in your law career. Graduates may find employment opportunities within the government sector, resource companies or the corporate energy sector.
Expand your skills, expertise and knowledge of law to prepare yourself for the next step in your law career. Graduates may find employment opportunities within the government sector, resource companies or the corporate energy sector.

Further Study

Students who complete the Graduate Diploma with a weighted average mark at least 60 per cent are eligible for admission to the Master of Commercial and Resources Law or the Master of Mining and Energy Law.
Students who complete the Graduate Diploma with a weighted average mark at least 60 per cent are eligible for admission to the Master of Commercial and Resources Law or the Master of Mining and Energy Law.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Annual course fee
2025
Full-Fee Paying Place $17,400.00

For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL).

Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course type to find out more. Fees are subject to annual indexation.

More information on how fees are calculated.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—1(a) a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; or 
2(a) (i) a bachelor's degree in a cognate area, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; or 
3(a) (i) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; and (iii) at least two years of relevant professional experience.

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

This course has higher ELC requirements. Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 6.5. For more information visit ELC requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

Gain expertise to pursue careers in the mining and energy industries and natural resources more generally by gaining a strong understanding of their regulatory and commercial context. Apart from mining and oil and gas law this includes corporate governance, environmental laws, climate change, human rights, commercial agreements and construction contracts.

About the course

This course is ideal if you're looking to expand your current knowledge of the mining, energy and natural resources sector or if you seek a new career path in this highly regulated industry. This course is available for law and non-law graduates, and, depending on your qualifications, this course may be articulated into the Master of Commercial and Resources Law or Master of Mining and Energy Law.

Graduate opportunities

Through a combination of chosen units in the diploma, student will acquire and develop a deeper knowledge of the basic principles of the regulation of natural resources. They will develop important theoretical and practical legal knowledge, which will consistently explore the issues related to regulatory theory and governance of natural resources and the interrelationship of law with other supporting disciplines. 

The units in the diploma will facilitate the development of practical legal skill-sets, especially in relation to the ability to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge, to identify and solve defined legal problems in the regulation of natural resources and, in so doing, exercise critical judgement and thinking skills. Students will also develop skills in advanced legal research and writing in the areas of natural resource governance, and in related subject areas. Combined, these skill sets will develop a practical overview of the field of natural governance to enhance policy making, decision making and management skills in the resource industry in a domestic and international context.
Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Law

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 46 hours per week (over 13 weeks) which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 21360
CRICOS code
  • 095412E
Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Law
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 46 hours per week (over 13 weeks) which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 21360
CRICOS code
  • 095412E
Full time/part time duration
  • 6 months
Degrees course is available in
  • Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Law

Why study this course?

  1. The units in this course are taught in a highly practical way, making use of real -life examples, contracts and case studies.
  2. You'll be taught by leading experts in their fields.
  3. This course offers a broad range of units so you can pick areas that interest you.

Western Australia's premier Law School

The UWA Law School is ranked in the top 150 law schools in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS 2024). You will join and contribute to 90 years of excellence: we are the first law school established in WA and the fifth oldest in Australia.

Our graduates include a Prime Minister, a Governor of Western Australia, State Ministers, Justices of the Supreme Court of WA, a Young Australian of the Year, Rhodes Scholars, and more.

While we have a long and proud history, we're also a closely-knit, creative and progressive Law School, fostering critical thought, ethical scholarship and practice, a deep connection to our Indigenous past and present, and supportive student culture based upon wellbeing and inclusion.

You'll learn to

  • acquire and develop a deeper knowledge of the basic principles of the regulation of natural resources.
  • develop important theoretical and practical legal knowledge, exploring the issues related to regulatory theory and governance of natural resources, and the interrelationship of law with other supporting disciplines.
  • develop practical legal skill sets, especially in relation to the ability to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge, to identify and solve defined legal problems in the regulation of natural resources and, in so doing, exercise critical judgement and thinking skills.
  • develop skills in advanced legal research and writing in the areas of natural resource governance, and in related subject areas.
  • develop a practical overview of the field of natural governance to enhance policy making, decision making and management skills in the resource industry in a domestic and international context.
STUDY YOUR WAY

Flexibility

We understand that life is busy. That's why our postgraduate courses are designed so you can balance your work and studies. Our flexible postgraduate experience includes the opportunity to study part time, a range of units that are taught after hours, and the option to learn via intensive units. Ask our Student Central team for advice on choosing the right postgraduate route for you. Find out more here.

STUDY YOUR WAY
Research entity

Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law

The Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law has a successful research record going back to its establishment within the Law School at The University of Western Australia in 1990.

It was initially established in recognition of the importance of both the resources and the commercial sectors to the Western Australia economy. In recent years the focus and emphasis of the Centre broadened to include a wide range of mining, energy and natural resources law matters.

The research areas of the Centre all have practical elements and this engagement enhances the research of the Centre by ensuring it is relevant and current.

Research entity