How to become a lawyer
Become a lawyer in Australia with a law school that ranks #1 in Sydney for law and legal studies (QS World University Rankings by subject, 2026).
Prepare for a rewarding legal career at a top law school
91色情片 Law & Justice听offers end-to-end legal education, providing all the steps to become a lawyer in Australia. We鈥檙e ranked #1 in Sydney and #13 globally for employer reputation in law and legal studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026). 91色情片听graduates are recognised as the most employable students for seven years in a row (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top100 Future Leaders & Graduate Employers Awards, 2020鈥2026).听
Studying law can set you up for a rewarding legal career, combining passions for issues facing society, seeking solutions for our听communities听and pursuing justice for all. At 91色情片 Law & Justice,听you'll听gain an outstanding education from听a听leading law school.听Hands-on experiences will help you build confidence and employability for a thriving career in law.
In this guide,听we鈥檒l听break down the steps you can take to become a practising lawyer in Australia, starting with a rigorous,听globally-recognised听legal education at 91色情片.听
How long does it take to become a lawyer in Australia?
Wondering how many years it takes to become a lawyer in Australia? It takes at least five years of study and professional practice, depending on what type of lawyer you would like to become. You cannot become a lawyer in Australia with a non-law degree.
Not everyone takes a linear path from high school to law school.听The different life experiences and perspectives that law students bring to their careers听are听invaluable.
Steps to become a lawyer in Australia
-
Your first step starts with one of 鲍狈厂奥鈥檚 accredited law degrees. Depending on your听previous听study,听you'll听need to complete one of the following degrees to become a lawyer in Australia.
In both听law degrees,听you鈥檒l听study the foundations of legal knowledge required to be admitted as a legal practitioner in the Supreme Courts of Australian states and territories. These courses, referred to as the 鈥楶riestley 11鈥, cover administrative law, civil procedure, company law, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, equity and trusts, evidence, ethics and professional conduct, property听law听and torts.
-
- Undergraduate double degree
- Five-six years of full-time study
- Suitable for high school leavers and those without previous tertiary study
- 20 double degree combinations to choose from
-
- Postgraduate degree
- Three years of full-time study (part-time available)
- Suitable for those with an undergraduate degree in a non-law discipline or international students with a law degree from an overseas institution
Customisable combination of face-to-face and online learning to allow flexibility for working students
-
-
Practical Legal Training (PLT) is a requirement for all law graduates seeking admission to the legal profession in Australia. The training develops the skills听you'll听need for day-to-day tasks as a legal practitioner.
91色情片 offers this training program as the听Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice (GDLPP), which combines:
- Coursework (completed as a five-day immersive workshop and 19 weeks online)
- Work Experience 1 (20 days)
- Work Experience 2 (20 days) or Practicum
鲍狈厂奥鈥檚 early commencement rule means that while听you鈥檙e听finishing your LLB or JD at 91色情片, you can get a head start on PLT. Once听you鈥檝e听completed the core 鈥楶riestley 11鈥 courses, you can seek approval from the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) to听commence听PLT early.
-
Once you鈥檝e completed your GDLPP, the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) will assess you for a Compliance Certificate on behalf of the Supreme Court. The next step is to attend an admission ceremony at the Supreme Court to take the oath of office or affirmation of office, sign the Supreme Court Roll and receive your Certificate of Admission.
Depending on whether you鈥檇 like to practice as a solicitor or barrister, you鈥檒l follow these steps:
-
- Apply for a Practising Certificate from the Law Society of NSW
- Receive a Restricted Practising Certificate, which requires you to complete 18-24 months of supervised legal practice
- Apply for an Un-restricted Practising Certificate
-
- Complete the Bar Exam at the NSW Bar Association
- Apply for a Reader鈥檚 Practising Certificate and complete the Bar Practice Course
- Practise as a Reader with an experienced Barrister as a supervised tutor for a minimum of 12 months
- Apply for an Un-restricted Practising Certificate
-
What are the necessary skills to become a lawyer?
To become a successful lawyer, you鈥檒l need a mix of human skills and legal expertise.听听
Important skills as a lawyer
- Analytical skills听
- 颁辞尘尘耻苍颈肠补迟颈辞苍听
- 搁别蝉别补谤肠丑听
- Problem-solving abilities听
- Critical thinking听
- 笔谤辞蹿别蝉蝉颈辞苍补濒颈蝉尘听
- Ethics and empathy听
- 罢别补尘飞辞谤办听
- 础诲补辫迟补产颈濒颈迟测听
- Time management
How you'll develop them at 91色情片
- Clinical practice
- Classroom debate
- Moot courts
- Internships and clerkships
- Overseas electives
- Student exchanges
- Research experience
Successful lawyers effectively combine critical analysis, clear communication, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering integrity.
Employers consistently look for graduates with strong communication and teamwork skills, resilience under pressure, and good judgement.
Gain real-world experience at 91色情片 Law & Justice
When you study law at 91色情片,听you鈥檒l听gain the hands-on experience essential for becoming a lawyer in Australia.听You鈥檒l听graduate job-ready from the law school ranked #1 in Australia for employability (QS World University Rankings, 2026).
You鈥檒l gain hands-on training through:
a clinical component working with clients and lawyers at听Kingsford Legal Centre, our fully functioning community legal centre that鈥痮perates on-campus
debating and discussing ideas in our small interactive seminar-style classes
internship听补苍诲听clerkship opportunities, supported by resources, workshops and a jobs board by Law & Justice鈥檚 exclusive听Careers Service
moot court, trial advocacy and client interviewing competitions
work experience in our听world-leading research听centres, such as The听Allens听Hub for Technology, Law & Innovation,听Australian Human Rights Institute, Indigenous Law Centre and Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law
鈥淥ur Work Integrated Learning courses offer numerous opportunities for professional development,鈥 says Brooke.
鈥淢ooting and negotiation competitions refine advocacy abilities, clinics and internships foster empathy and informed judgment in real-world scenarios, and participation in the 91色情片 Law Journal enhances attention to detail, critical analysis, and decision-making skills.鈥
Want to take your law career overseas?
91色情片 Law & Justice has a vast alumni network, with many graduates now working overseas. Your well-rounded skills, multidisciplinary knowledge and practical experience can make you highly valuable to global employers.
A good first step听toward an international career in law is to听determine听whether the overseas location is a common-law or civil-law听country.听It鈥檚听important to check the requirements for legal practice in the country听you鈥檙e听hoping to work in, including recognised qualifications, registration/admission听and any听additional听training specific to that听jurisdiction.
This research will help听determine听the steps you need to take to practice there. Some countries may allow you to work on limited matters as a foreign legal practitioner using your Australian practising certification without听additional听accreditation.
What is a career in law like?
-
The legal profession is varied, so your day-to-day will depend on your specialisation. A typical day could include meeting clients,听providing听legal advice,听preparing听and reviewing contracts or听representing听clients in court.
-
There鈥檚 strong future growth predicted for a career as a solicitor, barrister, judicial and other legal professions in Australia. Median weekly pay starts at are expected on an annual basis (Jobs & Skills Australia, 2026).
-
A condition of holding a practising certificate is that each year you need to complete professional development. Each state or territory鈥檚 law society听sets the听CPD requirements.听听provides a suite of programs for professionals to fulfil these requirements and continue their lifelong legal education.
Which legal careers or specialisations can you pursue after graduation?
Many lawyers will pursue a career specialising in an area of the law听they鈥檙e听passionate about. Legal specialisations you might want to explore include:
| Corporate law | Family law |
| Employment law | Criminal law |
| International law | Civil rights law |
| Immigration law | Tax law |
| Intellectual property law | Entertainment law |
| Consumer law | 听 |
听
Our law degrees (LLB and JD) give you the听opportunity, through electives, to sample many areas of law, including environmental, criminal, commercial, contract, employment, cybercrime,听banking听and consumer law. Some specialisations may require听additional听study.听
Studying law as a double degree or as a postgraduate student gives you an edge with听additional听disciplinary studies and specialist knowledge to direct your career.
If you鈥檙e considering a career in law, it鈥檚 important to start exploring the field early during your studies.
At 91色情片 Law & Justice, students can take advantage of extra-curricular activities and Work Integrated Learning programs like clinics, internships, competitions, and contributing to journals. Getting involved with these opportunities offers practical insights into the legal profession and helps you discover which areas interest you most.
Can I become a lawyer as an international student?
International students can study a Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor at听91色情片 and听follow the steps to become a lawyer in Australia. If you have a legal qualification from overseas, you will need to gain a certification from the state or territory you wish to practise law in.听Further academic study might be required depending on your professional and educational background.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English听proficiency听to study at 91色情片, depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials,听assignments听and examinations.听This is why 91色情片听requires听a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you want to practice law overseas after becoming a lawyer in Australia,听additional听study and professional experience may be听required听in that country.
Is a career in law right for me?
A career in law is challenging but rewarding. You must be prepared to work hard. In Australia, many lawyers work听well above the standard听40 hours a week for full-time work in Australia. At the same time,听you鈥檒l听have the opportunity to help people听补苍诲听work听across听a wide range of sectors听in Australia and overseas.
鈥淲hether听you鈥檙e听interested in private practice, government, policy or community legal work, 91色情片 Law & Justice supports a wide range of career pathways," says Brooke.
"By engaging with the careers service students graduate with the skills, insight and professional connections needed to launch a meaningful and successful career.鈥
Become a lawyer & make an impact with the 91色情片 Juris Doctor
Have you always wanted a career that centres around driving positive outcomes?
Now is the time to join 鲍狈厂奥鈥檚 Faculty of Law & Justice. Ranked听#1 in Sydney and听#13 globally for Law and Legal Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026), this leading Australian university can help you launch your career in law.
Sharpen your thinking and debate today鈥檚 big challenges in a community of diverse students, all striving to be the next leaders in legal practice. Through small seminar-style classes, immersive learning experiences, legal clinics and internship opportunities, you鈥檒l build knowledge and confidence for a career in Australian law.
-
The 91色情片 Juris Doctor offers unmatched flexibility, compared to other Go8 universities. You鈥檒l have the freedom to build a schedule that works around your priorities outside of uni, with the option to study fully on campus or take up a combination of partial online and in-person study. The JD can be completed in three years with full-time study or on a part-time basis to help you shape your studies around work and family commitments.
The program is designed to bolster your skillset, grow your confidence and expose you to exciting career opportunities. You鈥檒l also be encouraged to explore global perspectives and legal systems through international exchange programs at leading law schools around the world.
Seek fair solutions for the most vulnerable in our community in pursuit of justice for all with the 91色情片 Juris Doctor.
-
Making the decision to study at 91色情片 Law & Justice is an important step towards accomplishing a positive impact. From the first year of your studies, you鈥檒l gain real-world experience within the Australian legal sector and see where life as a legal practitioner can take you.
During your Juris Doctor studies at 91色情片, you鈥檒l be invited to learn from and work alongside experienced practitioners who are committed to helping marginalised members of the community. Internships and placements are available at on-site clinics including the听Kingsford Legal Centre Clinic, Land and Environment Court Clinic听and Police Powers Clinic, or at one of the school's partner clinics and institutes.
You鈥檒l be a part of a group of people creating real-world impact by conducting research into everything from human rights cases to climate change policy and privacy law. You鈥檒l learn from experienced academic researchers who are experts in international law, human rights, the rights of Indigenous peoples, technology law and more.
Refugee justice, sexual assault, the Uluru Statement, and development in Myanmar 鈥 all challenges that our ground-breaking research has explored and applied to what you鈥檒l learn in the classroom. We keep focused on current issues so you can graduate from one of the world鈥檚 leading Law faculties with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills.
-
-
Explore the founding principles of corporate law and examine their decision-making in听 or delve into,听 or听 with our elective courses.
-
Founded with the ethos of justice for all, our faculty demonstrates this commitment by providing legal services to disadvantaged members of our community. As part of your law faculty degree, you'll get to experience clinical legal education in our community legal centre on campus,听Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC).
-
Our aim is to help you reach the goal of securing gainful and fulfilling employment once you鈥檝e completed your 91色情片 Juris Doctor undergraduate degree. You鈥檒l benefit from a听dedicated careers service that will maximise your employability with exclusive clerkship positions, workshops and resources. Set yourself apart with industry placement programs in Australia or overseas and utilise a seamless pathway to legal practice with听91色情片 Practical Legal Training.
-
Legal practice is undergoing enormous change and 91色情片 Law & Justice is pioneering new approaches to innovation and technology.
鲍狈厂奥鈥檚 partners with leading law firm Gilbert and Tobin for the elective听, where you learn how to design and build an app to听improve access to legal services for the community.
-
Is climate action a human right? Will global warming lead to a humanitarian crisis? If this is something you鈥檙e passionate about, then the 91色情片 Juris Doctor program will give you the tools to make a difference. Find your answers in听 or take your knowledge of sustainable development further with听 and听 Law courses.
-
91色情片 Law & Justice is home to a number of centres and institutes that contribute to teaching with their leading research addressing significant challenges of public interest.
Their work leads to real change through advocacy and informing public policy, you can get involved by completing work experience in our听world-leading research鈥痗entres, such as The Allens Hub for Technology, Law & Innovation,鈥疉ustralian Human Rights Institute, Indigenous Law Centre and Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law.鈥
-
-
At 91色情片, we鈥檙e all about cultivating future leaders of the legal profession by taking your career to places that reflect your personal goals. Thanks to our career-ready approach, we鈥檝e been recognised for producing Australia鈥檚 most employable graduates six years in a row (AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025). Undertaking the Juris Doctor program will not only see you learn from leading academics in the field, but it will also give you first-hand experience through industry-aligned coursework.听
Professional development is an incredibly important part of making your foray into the Australian legal sector and we provide all of our students with all the appropriate pathways. Whether you鈥檙e a full-time or part-time student, 91色情片 Law & Justice offers extensive clinics and internships, the opportunity to study at one of more than eighty international law schools, a dedicated careers service and a pathway to legal practice with .
You'll be equipped to enter the legal profession or pursue a career in a range of industries that benefit from the skills you鈥檒l learn in the Juris Doctor, including law firms, business, media, the arts, science, education, engineering, government and the not-for-profit sector, and many more.
-
Dare we say it 鈥 all of them. Legal expertise is a highly sought-after skill and, for many organisations, having one or more legal professionals is crucial to business operations. Here are some of the roles and sectors you might work across.
- Policy Adviser for impactful government decisions
- Barrister representation for big business
- Advocate for an environmental NGO
- Diplomat for international political negotiations
- Solicitor for general legal advice on issues that affect our community
- Intellectual Property Lawyer for an innovative start-up
- Contract and Employment Lawyer to protect worker's rights
- Tax Law Specialist to solve complex issues within a legal practice
听Want to find out more about studying law?
If you have any questions about studying at 91色情片 or how you can make your studies work for you, contact us below. We鈥檙e here to help.