Law Courses in Australia Explained: A Complete Guide

If you are planning to study for a law degree in Australia, you can choose from a broad range of locations. Some are cultural and economic hotspots of Sydney and Melbourne and the east coast region of Brisbane. 

There is no shortage of options for choosing the best place to study law in Australia.

If you like to debate or see yourself interrogating in a courtroom, then getting a Law degree is the best option. A law degree allows you to take up various political, business, and banking positions. 

There Are Three Qualification Levels

1. Undergraduate Level

2. Postgraduate Level

3. VET (Vocational Education and Training) Level

1. Undergraduate Study In Law

Studying LLB or Bachelor of Law programs at the undergraduate level in Australia prepares you to have an exceptional law career and builds your foundation of knowledge and the strategic, critical and analytical thinking skills required for the field of law. 

Becoming a lawyer will allow students to work for big businesses, accounting firms, banks, and government departments.  

Under the LLB program, you can study the following courses:

• Criminal Law

• Business Law

• European Law 

• International Law

You can complete an LLB degree (Bachelor of Laws) within 3 to 4 years. You can also obtain a double degree at the undergraduate level, pairing law with other courses like business, arts, and languages. A dual degree is also a great option if you want to expand your knowledge about a particular subject that will complement your law profession. 

Remember, you will need more than just an undergraduate degree to practice law. But it is also essential to undertake a PLT (Practical Legal Training) to become a lawyer, which enables one to gain practical skills in the field of law.

Overall, the best law courses in Australia focus on innovative teaching and industry connectedness. 

Where To Study Undergraduate Law Courses In Australia?

Most universities in Australia offer law degrees to international students. Some institutions even focus on providing distance education or online law courses in Australia. And only a few institutions in Australia provide rare combination courses such as “law with medicine”. 

You must also remember that private higher education providers do not offer law degrees in Australia. 

Here are some of the top universities in Australia that offer undergraduate law courses in Australia:

2. Postgraduate Study in Law 

An LLM (Master of Law) or postgraduate course in Australia is for students or law professionals who want in-depth knowledge about a specialised law area, such as tax or international law. 

The Juris Doctor (JD) programs are becoming increasingly popular at the postgraduate level in Australia. You can complete a JD program within three years. It has a legal emphasis, and you can study it alongside other advanced degrees. Studying in a JD program improves practical focus. It enables students to develop critical thinking, advocacy, informed advice, critical thinking, communication and analysis skills. 

These skills help students to become eligible for practising law in Australia and allow them to apply for positions like business strategist, entrepreneur, corporate counsel or government policy advisor. 

Other law courses in Australia for international students offer PLT (Practical Legal Training) for graduates, allowing students to gain the required skills to practice as a lawyer. 

Other coursework programs offer students expertise in international law, information technology, commercial law, tax law and environmental law. Some LLM programs consist of coursework, while others might entirely focus on research. LLM students may also be required to complete a thesis to get the degree. 

Where To Study Postgraduate Law Courses In Australia?

Pursuing an LLM (Masters of Law) from an Australian institution can be an enlightening and exciting educational experience for international students. Many universities, including some private providers in Australia, offer postgraduate law courses.

Most universities in Australia offer postgraduate programs consisting of a master’s thesis and practical coursework. Students can choose from various LLM programs in taxation, environmental law, international law or global business law. 

Your home country may also recognise some of the postgraduate law courses in Australia. So, you must conduct a thorough research about that specific law program. 

On the other hand, if you want to pursue a research degree, choose an institution with an established research program. 

Here are some of the top universities in Australia that offer postgraduate law courses for international students in Australia:

3. Vocational Education & Training Study (VET) In Law 

VET (Vocational Education and Training) level law courses do not provide professional qualifications. But the VET paralegal studies offer courses in legal administration, justice, security, law enforcement, and more. 

These courses may open a pathway towards other law degrees. You may also directly enter into an appropriate occupation. Still, your job prospects will only improve once you climb the qualification ladder. 

Where To Study VET Law Courses in Australia?

Several VET providers and TAFE institutes in Australia offer paralegal courses in Australia. But for particular specialisations, some institutions might have limited options. 

4. Career Opportunities for Students Pursuing Law in Australia

There are abundant career opportunities for students pursuing a law degree in Australia. You could work as a lawyer or join a legal practice in business, criminal Law, Commercial Law and family law. You can also join legal community centres linked to non-profit organisations.

Industries in Australia with the most significant demand for law graduates include workplace relations, private equity, tax, litigation, property, commercial/corporate, banking and finance. The average salary of a law graduate in Australia starts at AUD $72,000 annually. 

Useful Links to Explore: 

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia 
• What to Study in Australia?