How hard is it to become a lawyer in Australia?

Asked by: Keyon Johnson  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (40 votes)

To become a Lawyer in Australia you will need to apply to the local Law Society for a Practising Certificate. You'll then need to complete 18 to 24 months of supervised practice at a law firm. Pathways to becoming a practicing Lawyer typically require a combined 5-6 years of education and training.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in Australia?

In Australia, you'll spend a minimum of four years studying to become a lawyer. You'll pursue one of two degrees: a 4-year Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) or a combined LLB (5+ years). In New Zealand, an LLB takes four years to complete, and a combined LLB takes five.

Is it hard to get a job as a lawyer in Australia?

It is very easy to become a lawyer in Australia. All Australian universities (except Federation) have an accredited law school. You just need to complete a four year undergraduate degree.

Is it hard to get into law school in Australia?

Law Entry Requirements

Law degrees in Australia are very competitive, so you'll need a pretty good ATAR to get into a top uni.

Is law a good career in Australia?

However, contrary to these bleak reports, data suggests that a law degree places you in good stead to secure employment in a variety of career fields. According to Graduate Careers Australia, 74 per cent of Australian law school graduates obtain full-time employment within four months of graduation.

Becoming a Lawyer II How, Why & What it takes?!?

40 related questions found

Why you shouldn't be a lawyer?

Deadlines, billing pressures, client demands, long hours, changing laws, and other demands all combine to make the practice of law one of the most stressful jobs out there. Throw in rising business pressures, evolving legal technologies, and climbing law school debt and it's no wonder lawyers are stressed.

Are lawyers well paid in Australia?

The average family lawyer in Australia earns $97,981. Of course, lawyers' salaries can also vary widely depending on their experience. A junior corporate lawyer earns an average starting salary of $70,000 per year, while the most experienced corporate lawyers can make more than $200,000, according to Lexology.

Is law harder than medicine?

And the answer seems to be a resounding yes — not only is law confusing and boring, law students are pretty rubbish as well. ... Taking on a LLB lecture — in what we are pretty sure is contract law — undercover medic Hennebry is blown away by the dryness of the subject.

Is law the hardest degree?

Law. Law is officially the hardest subject to get a first class degree in4, so we all know it's hard going. If you think you know what it's like to have a lot of reading, go and talk to a Law student.

Is a law career worth it?

The highest 10% of lawyers earned median annual earnings of more than $208,000 in 2019. Some law school graduates forgo serving as a lawyer in order to have more work-life balance. There are many jobs you can do with a law degree and legal-related roles where having a J.D. may be an asset.

Are lawyers in demand in Australia?

Demand is strong for lawyers of various experience levels, ranging from two to five years up to partner, and in most practice areas. Corporate and transaction work is particularly in demand, thanks to Australia's very active mergers and acquisitions market.

How much do lawyers earn Australia?

The average lawyer salary in Australia is $116,519 per year or $59.75 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $99,801 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $149,660 per year.

Is there an oversupply of lawyers in Australia?

The scary fact is, there are only about 66,000 solicitors practicing law right now in Australia. There is a huge oversupply of legal graduates in Australia right now. This means that when you graduate with a law degree and go out to find a job, there isn't a lot of work available to you and it is very competitive.

What is a good GPA for law in AUstralia?

You can study law (via the Juris Doctor) by completing a bachelor's degree after high school. You also need to complete your studies with the equivalent of a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.5 (out of 7.0), across all completed tertiary studies.

How smart do you have to be to become a lawyer?

Lawyers appear to be very intelligent because they have legal knowledge and expertise. Years of experience have resulted in knowledge. To be a lawyer, you must be academically gifted, with the ability to learn and comprehend statutes and cases, as taught in law school.

What is the best law school in AUstralia?

Best universities for law degrees in Australia 2022
  • University of Melbourne.
  • UNSW Sydney.
  • Australian National University.
  • University of Sydney.
  • The University of Queensland.

Is a 2 1 good for a law degree?

The majority of law firms look for candidates with a 2:1 degree grade or above – although it is not unheard of for some firms to accept candidates with a 2:2 degree grade. Most candidates with a 3rd will find it very difficult to reach the interview stage unless they have mitigating circumstances.

What is the toughest degree in the world?

Toughest Courses in the World Explained
  1. Engineering. Considered one of the toughest courses in the world, engineering students are required to have tactical skills, analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. ...
  2. Chartered Accountancy. ...
  3. Medicine. ...
  4. Pharmacy. ...
  5. Architecture. ...
  6. Law. ...
  7. Psychology. ...
  8. Aeronautics.

What is the easiest degree to get?

10 Easiest College Degrees
  • English literature. ...
  • Sports management. ...
  • Creative writing. ...
  • Communications studies. ...
  • Liberal studies. ...
  • Theater arts. ...
  • Art. You'll study painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture and drawing. ...
  • Education. An article on CBS MoneyWatch named education the country's easiest major.

Can an average student become a lawyer?

LLB can be both of 3 years and 5 years. An average student can easily consider LLB as a good choice because he/she will be able to study it easily by putting hardwork and dedication into it.It will turn out to be a complex course for those neglecting it and not paying required attention to it.

What is the easiest law school to get into?

These are the 12 law schools that are the easiest to get into in the country — and that still can help you start your dream legal career.
  • Concordia University School of Law, Idaho. ...
  • Roger Williams University School of Law, Rhode Island. ...
  • John Marshall Law School, Chicago. ...
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego.

Is being a lawyer impressive?

Working as a lawyer is one of the most intellectually rewarding jobs on the planet. From helping to patent a trade secret, or devising a trial strategy, to forming a multi-million dollar merger, lawyers are problem-solvers, analysts, and innovative thinkers whose intellect is crucial to career success.

What is the highest paid job in Australia?

The 15 highest-paying jobs in Australia
  • General counsel.
  • Anaesthetist.
  • Cardiologist.
  • General manager/project manager.
  • Company secretary.
  • Head of operations.
  • Surgeon.
  • Internal medicine specialist.

Which field of law pays the most?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:
  • Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ...
  • Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ...
  • Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ...
  • Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ...
  • Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

What is the highest paid lawyer in Australia?

WHAT TYPE OF LAWYER EARNS THE MOST?
  • General-In-House Lawyers came first, at an average annual salary of $128,988.
  • Constructions Lawyers came second highest, at an average annual salary of $124,041.
  • Corporate & Commercial Lawyers come third highest, at an average annual salary of $118,558.