Frequently Asked Questions - Current Students

Yes. You may choose to not enrol in any subjects in one term without being excluded, but conditions apply.

To not be excluded and to remain enrolled in the Diploma course students must sit at least two subjects, over two consecutive terms.

The following is an example of how a student may take a term away, and not be excluded:

Winter 2026 - sit for 2 subjects 

Summer 2027 - sit for 0 subjects 

Winter 2027 - sit for 2 subjects

However in the following example, the student would be excluded and would need to apply for Rule 67 exemption to return to the course:

Winter 2026 - sit for 1 subjects 

Summer 2027 - sit for 0 subjects 

Winter 2027 - sit for 2 subjects

The LPAB is aware that life can get in the way of your intended studies and there are provisions to return to the course if you are excluded.

For full details of Rule 67 and the LPAB's exclusion rules, please see the Diploma in Law Course Information Handbook on the LPAB website here.

Excluded students can request an exemption to this rule (R67).  To submit a Rule 67 application, select the 'Student Course Application' button on the 'Welcome' page in STEMS.

Please apply approximately one month before the enrolment period of the session in which you wish to resume your studies.

All students can view and download their unofficial transcripts at any time in STEMS. On the examinations page, select 'Download Unofficial Transcript' top right.

For official LPAB transcripts at any point during your studies, select the 'Miscellaneous' button on the 'Welcome' page in STEMS and select 'Order Transcripts' from the drop-down menu ($59 fee). 

Please note, once you have completed the Diploma in Law you will receive a final transcript from the LPAB free of charge after your final exam results are released.

If you completed your studies prior to Term 2, 2024 and do no not wish to sign up for a STEMS account please use the online payment option on the Fees page and email your receipt to lpab@justice.nsw.gov.au with details of your request.  

If you have been excluded from the course and wish to resume your studies you will be required to make a Rule 67 application through the STEMS portal. Select 'Student Course Application' button on the 'Welcome' page and follow the prompts. 

If a significant amount of time has passed since you last studied, whether or not the courses you have already completed are stale will be assessed as part of your application. You will need to pay a fee of $110 to apply for Rule 67 regardless of outcome.

The purpose of the Rule 67 application is to recognise that students may need to at times pause their studies and this is a pathway for recommencement. 

Rule 64

This rule requires students to sit at least 2 exams in any 2 successive terms, this means you must sit the examination. 

Even if you chose to withdraw from a term, you will remain actively enrolled in the course. As a result, the courses progression rules still apply. 

Not enrolling in subjects for a semester/s is considered the equivalent to not sitting for an examination. The progression rules are not paused due to non-enrolment. Consequently, the course progression rules still apply. 

Rule 65

If you have passed the examinations in all subjects except one and fails to sit for the examination in the remaining subject at least once in any two successive sessions you will be excluded 

Rule 66 

If you fail the same subject twice you will be excluded 

The LPAB understands that life can sometimes interfere with studies and there are provisions for excluded students to return. 

Excluded students can request an exemption to this rule (Rule 67). To submit a Rule 67 application, select the 'Student Course Application' button on the 'Welcome' page in STEMS. Please apply approximately one month before the enrolment period of the term in which you wish to resume your studies. 

To change you legal name in STEMS please submit a request via the 'Miscellaneous' tab on your home page and select 'Name change request' from the drop down menu. 

You will need to supply supporting documentation to support your request such as: 

• marriage certificate
• official name change certificate 
• a copy of a Government issued photo identification with your new name

You can move to another institution without permission as long as you don’t plan to return to the Diploma in Law course with the LPAB. Please withdraw from the course through the 'Miscellaneous' button on the home page in STEMS and select 'Course withdrawal' from the drop down menu. . 

However, if you intend to return and seek recognition for external courses, you must obtain prior approval from the Board before you begin any external studies. To start this process, please select the 'Enquiry' button on the home page in STEMS. 

Applications are required to go to the Academic Exemptions Sub-Committee of the Board. Please check the Events & Deadlines Calander on the LPAB website for relevant deadlines.

Please withdraw from the course by selecting the 'Miscellaneous' button in STEMS. Then select 'Course Withdrawal' from the drop down menu. 

If you wish to return to the course after withdrawal, you will be required to submit a Rule 67 application through the 'Student Course Application' button on the 'Welcome' page in STEMS. 

We recommend applying approximately one month before the enrolment period for the term in which you wish to return.