Aboriginal Law Program offers pathway to study

Adelaide Law School, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide.
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Thursday, 27 October 2011

An agreement between TAFE SA and the University of Adelaide will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pathways to a law degree at university.

Office of TAFE SA Chief Executive Elaine Bensted said the agreement will give students completing a Certificate IV in Legal Services entry into the Bachelor of Laws program at the University of Adelaide from 2012 onwards.

"Customised to meet the specific needs of Indigenous students, the nationally accredited Certificate IV in Legal Services gives students the practical skills required to support lawyers.

"Students gain the underpinning theoretical knowledge that can now be expanded upon at university," Ms Bensted said.

The new study pathway known as the Aboriginal Law Program is the collaborative effort of TAFE SA Justice and Policing Studies and the Aboriginal Access Centre working with the Law Society of South Australia and the University.

Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Professions and Dean of the University of Adelaide's Law School Professor John Williams said: "We're proud of our role in the tertiary education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

"We have been actively working to increase the participation of Indigenous students in Law for a number of years now. We're pleased to be able to add a new pathway to our Law degree and we look forward to welcoming new students through the Aboriginal Law Program."

The Chair of the Law Society's Community Relations Committee, Michael Brooks, praised TAFE and the University. "This pathway will increase opportunities for Aboriginal people to pursue a career in law or a law-related field and, therefore, the Society fully supports this initiative."

A range of educational support is available for Indigenous students entering TAFE SA to undertake this study. Support will be provided by the Aboriginal Access Centre, specialist law lecturers from Justice and Policing Studies, local tutors in regional centres, and include guest lectures by members of the legal profession.

For more information about the Aboriginal Law Program contact Anna Dearman, University of Adelaide VET Project Coordinator, via email.

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