Graduate Diploma in Military Law

Postgraduate | 2026

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This degree is only available to Australian students

You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:

  • Australian or New Zealand Citizen
  • Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Mode icon
Mode
On Campus
Start date icon
Start date
February, July
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus
Duration icon
Duration
1 year(s) full-time only (no part time option)
Program code icon
Program code
GDMLW
Study as icon
Study as
Full-time only (no part time option)
Fees
Indicative annual fees
$61,500
Non-tuition fees
Prerequisites icon
Prerequisite
N/A
Assumed knowledge icon
Assumed knowledge
N/A
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Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Entry into the Military Law programs is available to Commonwealth Department of Defence Legal Officers only.

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Note:

Entry into this program is restricted to Commonwealth Department of Defence Legal Officers only.

Why Graduate Diploma in Military Law?

Engage with advanced military law principles and advance your career as a legal officer.   

With Adelaide University’s Graduate Diploma in Military Law, you'll deepen your legal expertise and build specialised skills in military law. Taught under contract to the Department of Defence, this graduate diploma is designed for legal officers in the Australian Defence Force.  

Students can only undertake this Graduate Diploma if they completed all four LTM2 courses at the Australian National University and/or University of Melbourne prior to 2022. This qualification is ideal for those wanting to upskill and become a military law professional within the Department of Defence. Courses are delivered intensively on the North Terrace campus. 

program overview

Overview

If you’re a legal officer in the Australian Defence Force, take the next step in your career with our Graduate Diploma in Military Law. Gain the specialised knowledge and skills to work as a military law professional. You’ll learn to solve complex problems, conduct research and communicate military law information to Australian Defence Force audiences. Upskill and advance your career, ready to practice as a military law professional in the Australian Defence Force. 

Key features

  • Program Key featuresLearn to solve complex legal problems in ADF legal officer practice. 
  • Program Key featuresUndertake advanced research in military law – discovering inconsistencies, conflicts and gaps in law and policy. 
  • Program Key featuresFurther your knowledge in discipline, administrative and operational law.  
  • Program Key featuresJoin a community of legal officers with vast knowledge and skills. 
  • Program Key featuresLearn from distinguished experts from Defence, industry, academia and the legal profession.  
  • Program Key featuresGraduate ready to practice as a military law professional in the Australian Defence Force. 

What you'll learn

This program is only open to legal officers in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Advance your legal knowledge and build specialist skills in military law. To be eligible for this program, you must have previously completed all four LTM2 courses at the Australian National University and/or University of Melbourne prior to 2022. You will receive credit for these courses, and then go on to study the following: 

  • Advanced Military Administrative Law 
  • Advanced Military Discipline Law  
  • Advanced Military Operations Law.  

Throughout your studies you’ll learn to: 

  • Apply principles of military law to solve complex legal problems in ADF legal officer practice. 
  • Analyse and critique military law/policy from theoretical and practical perspectives. 
  • Undertake advanced research in military law, identifying and resolving inconsistencies, conflicts, gaps and opportunities for improvement across law, policy and practice. 
  • Effectively communicate military law information to relevant ADF audiences, both legal and non-legal, including in training contexts. 
  • Apply your judgement, adaptability and responsibility at high levels as a military law professional in the fields of discipline, administrative and operational law. 
  • Become a self-aware and collaborative military law professional. 
what you'll learn

Design a study path that works for you

This degree is part of a stackable set of qualifications, meaning your study choices are flexible. If your goals shift, you can exit after six months of study with a standalone Graduate Certificate or after one year with a Graduate Diploma qualification. 

You can also begin your studies with a shorter qualification like the six-month Graduate Certificate and continue on to complete the Graduate Diploma (one year) or full master’s degree. 

What courses you'll study

Complete 48 units comprising:

  • 24 units for Core courses, and
  • 24 units for Core courses (ANU)

Complete 24 units comprising:

  • 24 units for all Core courses

Course name Course code Units
course icon
Course name
Advanced Military Discipline Law
Course code
LAWS5019
Units
9
course icon
Course name
Advanced Military Operations Law
Course code
LAWS5021
Units
6
course icon
Course name
Advanced Military Administrative Law
Course code
LAWS5077
Units
9

Notes

  • Credit of 24 units at the Adelaide University is awarded for completion of all 24 units of the following courses at the Australian National University:

    LAWS 8160 Military Discipline Law

    LAWS 8161 Military Legal Practice

    LAWS 8162 Military Operations Law

    LAWS 8163 Military Administrative Law

  • Core courses - Where transfer credit of 24 units at the Adelaide University is awarded for completion of all 24 units of the following courses at the Australian National University:

    LAWS 8160 Military Discipline Law

    LAWS 8161 Military Legal Practice

    LAWS 8162 Military Operations Law

    LAWS 8163 Military Administrative Law

Course name Course code Units
Year 1
Semester 1
Course name
Advanced Military Discipline Law
Course code
LAWS5019
Units
9
Course name
Advanced Military Operations Law
Course code
LAWS5021
Units
6
Course name
Advanced Military Administrative Law
Course code
LAWS5077
Units
9
Semester 2

Complete 24 units comprising:

  • 24 units from Core courses (ANU)

Course name Course code Units

Notes

  • Credit of 24 units at the Adelaide University is awarded for completion of all 24 units of the following courses at the Australian National University:

    LAWS 8160 Military Discipline Law

    LAWS 8161 Military Legal Practice

    LAWS 8162 Military Operations Law

    LAWS 8163 Military Administrative Law

Course name Course code Units
Year 1
Semester 1
Course name
Advanced Military Discipline Law
Course code
LAWS5019
Units
9
Course name
Advanced Military Operations Law
Course code
LAWS5021
Units
6
Course name
Advanced Military Administrative Law
Course code
LAWS5077
Units
9
Semester 2
How to Apply

How to apply

Entry into this program is restricted to Commonwealth Department of Defence Legal Officers only.

Eligible applicants should contact militarylaw@adelaide.edu.au for assistance and next steps.

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