Why study business law with SCU Online?
First online course of its kind
Australia’s first 100% online postgraduate law course
5 stars ranking
5-stars for overall education experience, student support and full-time employment in law*
Flexible, accelerated learning
Engage in self-directed, accelerated study that fits your busy professional schedule seamlessly
*Good Universities Guide 2025
Safeguard yourself and your business in a world of risk
In an increasingly disrupted world, there is a growing need for people who can help businesses navigate their way through obligations, opportunities, and consequences. The online Graduate Certificate in Business Law with Southern Cross University is a great first step for a business professional to start bridging the knowledge gap between business and law.
The course will provide students with a thorough introduction to the legal institutions and processes which influence the ongoing development of Australian law, their history, context, and contemporary relevance, and equips students with the skills necessary to find, interpret, critique and apply the law in relation to business.
Quick facts
- Units
4 - Duration
8 months part-time - Fees
$3,250 per unit, FEE-HELP available - Intakes
Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct
The SCU Online benefits
Contemporary case studies
Enhance your learning with real-world case studies that provide practical insights into current business law challenges.
Understanding Australian business law
Develop a comprehensive understanding of Australian business law to navigate and apply legal principles effectively.
Mitigate legal risk
Learn to identify and manage legal risks while understanding your obligations to ensure compliance and protect your business.
How does a Graduate Certificate in Business Law work with SCU?
- With no exams, you’ll learn through quizzes, videos, interactive presentations and more.
- Connect with academics and students through online chat platforms and discussion boards.
- Access support throughout the course, including feedback from a learning coach and a dedicated student success advisor from enrolment through to graduation.
- Live classes are optional but encouraged for networking, while the course is self-paced.
- To make the most of your learning experience, we recommend dedicating around 20 hours per week to your studies.
A typical study period at SCU Online
Pathway to masters
This qualification is the foundational knowledge you need before embarking onto the Master of Business Law, placing you in the best possible position to help mitigate organisational risk.
Graduate Certificate
4 Units, or continue studying
Masters Degree
+ 4 Units
Entry requirements
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Business Law, you must have:
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A Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent; AND
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Students also need to be proficient in English.
If you are a qualified lawyer, you could also be eligible for the Master of Laws (Business Law) degree.
Find out more about Rules Relating to Awards and Specific Award Rules.
Units of study
This unit provides a thorough introduction to the important institutions and processes that influence the ongoing development of Australian law.
Get detailed information about each unit in our course guide.
Learning outcomes
Lay the foundation to understand, interpret and apply the law in relation to business contexts.
Gain a deep understanding of different areas of business law through your choice of three electives in areas such as Advanced Contract Law, Advanced Intellectual Property Law and Consumer Law.
Gain the core knowledge and skills to be agile in your business and seize opportunities quickly.
What our students do
Current Master of Business Law students work in a range of business roles that require legal expertise. Below is a snapshot of some of these roles and jobs.
- Commercial Director
- Governance and Planning Coordinator
- Project Manager
- Business Consultant
- Lecturer
- Finance Officer
- Contract Administrator
- Commercial Services Manager
- CEO
Our Accreditations and Endorsements
Our online programs meet all of the AQF guidelines, ensuring quality education.
5-STAR Rating for Full-Time Employment, Overall Experience, Student Support, Learning Resources, Teaching Quality and Skills Development.
Southern Cross University is one of the world's Top 100 Young Universities.
Our postgraduate student support and satisfaction both above the national average.
Meet our course coordinator
Dr John Orr is a lecturer and course coordinator in Law & Justice at Southern Cross University. John has a Bachelor of Human Movement Studies from the UQ, a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours (and university medal) from SCU and a Doctor of Philosophy from QUT. John is available to provide valuable support and expertise to students studying the SCU Online Master of Laws (LLM) through:
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Extensive knowledge
Understand legal principles and research skills through John’s extensive academic background and research excellence.
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Hands-on learning
Learn how to bridge the gap between theory and practice, understanding how legal principles are applied in the business world.
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Networking opportunities
Be connected to a network of professionals within the legal sector and expand your industry connections and opportunities for mentorship, internship and job prospects. -
Dedicated one-on-one support
Have a question regarding an assignment, a unit topic or deadline? John is available throughout the course to provide any support and feedback that you need to succeed.
The MBL includes electives in emerging fields like Intellectual Property Law, which will safeguard me as a small business owner and Consultant, as well as the companies which I represent.
I'm a financial controller in an engineering firm. As I came from an accounting background, I needed to sit an Introduction to Law course to get started. I'm thoroughly enjoying the learning experience at SCU and the new perspectives are helping me progress my career.
I work for local government, so studying Advanced Property Law has greatly improved my knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced by our ratepayers - as well as our administration - when it comes to property law, boundary realignments, strata titles and units, subdivision and dispute resolution.
I am able to better present the legal implications of certain projects in a global context in case the project is to be replicated in a different jurisdiction from where it was established.
Favourite units were the Law of Corporate Governance, Global Business Law and Advanced Legal Research. I found these units both challenging and rewarding as well as increasing my overall business knowledge and ability to contribute to the Social Enterprise organisations to which I belong.
Frequently asked questions
Studying law online offers flexibility and accessibility, allowing students to balance professional and personal commitments while gaining advanced legal knowledge. Online degrees of law or law certificates provide the same core learning outcomes as on-campus programs, including understanding legal frameworks, analytical reasoning, and practical applications across business, government, and regulatory contexts.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Law at Southern Cross University is delivered online, enabling professionals to gain practical skills in commercial law, compliance, and corporate governance. Completing this program allows students to develop high-level legal understanding while working, making it a valuable graduate certificate in law online for career progression.
Yes, a graduate certificate in law is a recognised postgraduate qualification in Australia. It is ideal for professionals seeking to upskill, formalise existing experience, or explore new career pathways without committing to a full master’s program. Graduate certificates can enhance professional credibility, provide specialised knowledge, and sometimes serve as a pathway into further postgraduate study.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Law at Southern Cross University equips students with practical legal skills and knowledge relevant to business, finance, and regulatory roles, offering a career-focused credential in a flexible online format.
Entry into a graduate certificate in law can sometimes be based on relevant professional experience, vocational qualifications, or prior learning. Many Australian universities recognise workplace experience as a pathway for those without a bachelor’s degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Law at Southern Cross University allows professionals with experience in business, finance, or related sectors to gain a formal law certificate credential. It can also serve as a stepping stone to a master’s degree in law or business.
Both are postgraduate qualifications, but there are subtle differences:
Graduate Certificate: Typically shorter, often designed for professionals to upskill in a specific area, with flexible entry requirements and fewer subjects.
Postgraduate Certificate: Often structured to complement a master’s program, sometimes with a more formal pathway into higher degrees.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Law at Southern Cross University is a concise, career-focused program that provides advanced legal knowledge and practical application. It is ideal for professionals seeking a graduate certificate in law online without committing to a full master’s program.
A graduate certificate is a postgraduate qualification, so it sits above an undergraduate degree in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) hierarchy. While it does not replace a bachelor’s degree, it demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills in a specialised area and is recognised for professional development and career progression.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Law at Southern Cross University builds on prior knowledge, providing practical skills in business law and governance. It offers a career-focused credential that can complement or lead into a master’s program, giving professionals a recognised postgraduate qualification.
