Program Overview

---

Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Law

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.

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Core

• Take all units (6 points):
  • LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions (6)

Option - Group A

• Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:
  • LAWS5111 Corporate Environmental and Social Governance (6)
  • LAWS5114 International Environmental Law (6)
  • LAWS5252 International Trade Financing (6)
  • LAWS5253 International Shipping Law (6)
  • LAWS5261 Planning Law (6)
  • LAWS5398 Construction Law (6)
  • LAWS5517 Mining Law (6)
  • LAWS5521 Climate Change Law (6)
  • LAWS5532 Energy Agreements: Oil and Gas, Alternative Energy and Sustainability (6)
  • LAWS5540 Environmental Protection Law (6)
  • LAWS5576 International Commercial Arbitration (6)
  • LAWS5577 Governing the Commons: Oceans, ice and outer space (6)
  • LAWS5590 Water Resources Law (6)
  • LAWS5694 Research Paper I (6)

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.

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.

Fees and scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

Full-Fee Paying Place $34,800.00

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.

Fee calculator

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.

Search Scholarships

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: E
• Full time/part time duration: 6 months
• Degrees course is available in: Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Law

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 2025). 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.