Course Outline

LAW320 Administrative Law

Course Coordinator:Ashley Pearson (apearson@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course examines the legal means by which people may hold the executive arm of government accountable for actions which affect them by challenging the legality of actions, the merits of decisions, the fairness of processes, or by seeking access to information held by government. You will study the procedures and grounds for judicial review of governmental action, tribunal-based merits review of governmental decisions, and the operation of freedom of information legislation. Administrative Law encompasses and impacts upon many different areas of law, and therefore an understanding of this area of law is critical for all areas of legal practice. 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1.5hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-Campus Tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1.5hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online Tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times

Course Topics

The course covers:

  • Access to Information – What kind of government-held information can a client request and obtain about themselves or others? (Access to Information legislation, Reasons)
  • Availability of Review – What avenues are available for administrative decisions to be reviewed for issues of law, fact, and discretion? (Merits Review, Judicial Review Schemes, Standing, Privative Clauses, Crown Immunity)
  • Grounds of Review – On what grounds can an administrative decision be reviewed, and what are the appropriate remedies? (Ultra Vires, Procedural Fairness, Unreasonableness, Jurisdictional Errors, Remedies)

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Analyse facts to identify legal issues within complex administrative law scenarios. Knowledgeable
Empowered
2 Explain the relevant laws, processes and concepts of administrative laws to resolve a legal issue. Knowledgeable
3 Utilise critical thinking, analysis, and legal reasoning to apply knowledge effectively, generating appropriate and practical responses to complex problems and ethical issues. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
4 Demonstrate effective, persuasive, and contextually appropriate written and oral communication. Empowered
5 Develop and demonstrate effective presentation skills, including proper referencing and citation techniques, to communicate legal information accurately and professionally. Empowered
6 Research, critically evaluate, and integrate authoritative sources in support of well-substantiated legal arguments. Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

((LAW100 or LAW101) and (LAW105 or LAW103)) or (LAW301 and enrolled in any Law Program) or (LAW207 or LAW301)

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

LAW401

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

To assist you in undertaking Task 1, you will develop relevant knowledge and obtain feedback through participation in your Week 2 and 3 tutorials.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Portfolio Individual 50%
Prescribed for individual elements on Canvas, but no more than 2,500 words in total.
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 50%
3 Hours
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Administrative Law Portfolio
Goal:
Create a portfolio that includes letters of legal advice, court documents, research briefs, video court appearances, etc. in response to an ongoing simulated situation that unfolds throughout the trimester.

This is an Aligned Assessment Point.
Product: Portfolio
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Portfolio submission. Individual elements due throughout the trimester as outlined on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification of legal issues and application of relevant knowledge
1 2
2
Demonstration of advanced statutory interpretation skills
3
3
Evaluation and synthesis of relevant legal and political material
3 6
4
Clarity of communication, including demonstration of referencing and presentation skills
4 5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Invigilated Final Examination
Goal:
In this task, you will demonstrate your knowledge and application of Administrative Law in response to unseen exam questions.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This assessment task is an online, open-book and invigilated exam. You will be required to attend a live Zoom session throughout the duration of the exam and need access to a working computer, a stable internet connection, and a webcam.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Correct identification and organisation of legal issues
1
2
Accurate statement and application of principles of law appropriate to resolve issues
2 3
3
Well-reasoned interpretation of legislative provisions and case authorities
2 3
4
Communicate clearly, effectively and appropriately
4 5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Robin Creyke,Matthew Groves,John McMillan,Mark Smyth 2024 Control of Government Action 7th Edition LexisNexis

Specific requirements

This course meets the necessary content requirements for Administrative Law under the Prescribed Areas of Knowledge of Schedule 1 of the LACC Uniform Admission Rules 2015 (the ‘Priestley 11’). 

This course contains an Aligned Assessment Point.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: