Is it worth doing a law degree in Australia?

Asked by: Aimee Hermiston  |  Last update: September 11, 2022
Score: 4.2/5 (40 votes)

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.

Is a law degree worth it in Australia?

Many students think that studying law and becoming a lawyer will mean they will be making a lot of money with a great salary! However, according to PayScale.com, the average salary that lawyers in Australia earn is $70,000 per year, and the range of salaries goes from $48,000 all the way up to $117,000.

Is it good to be a lawyer in Australia?

Respected Occupation. The role of a lawyer is highly regarded and respected in Australia, and it can also be very rewarding working to achieve a positive outcome for your clients and or community.

Is a law degree Hard Australia?

Law is a demanding area of study, but it's likely to be within your capability if you're willing to dedicate yourself. In terms of time, students typically spend 15 hours or more per week on coursework, depending on how advanced their law knowledge is, and familiarity with university-level study.

Is it worth getting a law degree?

A law degree is a great qualification to obtain employment – law graduates have the 6th highest employment rate - and bear in mind up to 60% of all law graduates chose to use their law degree to gain jobs other than in the legal profession.

Study Law in Australia - Experience of recent law graduate

35 related questions found

Is law a good career for the future?

Law as a profession is in great demand these days. Due to the changing social and economic circumstances and the ever-increasing regulatory role being undertaken by the government there is a rising demand for the lawyers. Besides being financially lucrative, Law is an adventurous and exciting career option.

Is law still a good career?

The legal profession is one of the most lucrative industries in today's job market. Double-digit growth in recent years has produced healthy revenues and rising salaries. Associates in the nation's largest law firms start at $150,000 to $180,000, and partners earn average salaries in excess of $1.2 million.

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.

Is there a shortage of lawyers in Australia?

The Australian Legal Market Midyear Update showed that average demand for law firm services grew by 6.4% in the first half of FY 2022, a solid showing considering that Australia hasn't suffered the severe demand contraction which was reflected as elevated results in the United States market throughout much of 2021.

Is there an oversupply of lawyers in Australia?

There are more law graduates in Australia each year than the total number of lawyers in Australia. It may take you years after you graduate to find a job where you practise law. Not only are there too many law graduates for the job vacancies that are available, you can get advice on how to write your will online.

How hard is the bar exam Australia?

The exam has a 75% pass mark and there is now only one per year. Over 100 people sit each exam. Statistically, more people fail than pass. Candidates have taken a year off to study and failed, or have failed five times before passing.

What type of lawyer makes the most money in Australia?

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.

What type of lawyer gets paid most?

Medical Lawyers typically make the highest yearly salary. This type of lawyer provides their clients with a variety of legal advisement and services related to medical law. This includes the areas of health care law, personal injury, medical malpractice and a variety of other related areas.

How much do law graduates earn Australia?

According to the 2020 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, the average starting salary for law grads is roughly $60,000 per year within three months of graduation, and $82,000 three years out.

What is the highest paid job in Australia?

Which job has the highest salary in Australia? Neurosurgeons earn the highest annual salary in Australia at over $600,000.

Where can Australian lawyers work overseas?

Australian lawyers are inundated with advertisements for overseas positions in places such as London, Hong Kong, New York and Dubai. The volume of postings raises questions related to inter-jurisdictional practice and how it is that Australian lawyers are able to practice law in a foreign jurisdiction.

Is law a growing industry?

It's also an industry with a great deal of growth in other parts of the world. Globalization is likely to impact many decisions that lawyers make as they decide which areas of the law are most important. The global legal services markets will be over 5.7 billion and are expected to continue to see growth in the future.

Is it hard to get a job in a law firm?

In large legal markets, it is incredibly difficult to get hired in such a situation. Getting a job in a large law firm is extremely competitive as it is. Large law firms have their pick of scores of highly qualified attorneys interested in working for them.

What area of law is most in demand Australia?

Australian law firms saw an average 2.2% increase in legal demand in FY 2021. Demand for regulatory, M&A, banking & finance, and general corporate work drove much of the growth. Conversely, demand for real estate, construction, and insolvency & restructuring declined.

Do lawyers make good money in Australia?

Interestingly, despite public perception, lawyers didn't even make it in the top 5 paying jobs in Australia. Lawyers earned an average yearly income of $127,321. Female lawyers earned an average income of $112, 731, whilst male lawyers earned an average income of $148,487.

Why are lawyers declining?

Likely the largest reason for lawyers' relative decline in the U.S. Congress is significant new competition in electoral politics. It might seem obvious that lawyers would face more challenges to their electoral dominance in an era when more Americans are educated than ever before.

How do I know if I want to be a lawyer?

Here are the factors to think about before you decide to become a lawyer:
  1. School commitment. A law degree requires two to three years of school for full-time students. ...
  2. Cost of law school. ...
  3. Competitive entrance requirements. ...
  4. Testing. ...
  5. Speaking and writing. ...
  6. Formal work environment. ...
  7. Long hour. ...
  8. Logical reasoning.

Is there a demand for lawyers?

Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 46,000 openings for lawyers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

What field of law is most in demand?

Most in-demand practice areas
  • Commercial law.
  • Litigation.
  • Real estate law.
  • Intellectual property.
  • Family law.

How powerful is a law degree?

Even law professors earn a great salary, earning between $105,000 and $200,000 a year. So, if you want to get a degree that gives you the opportunity for incredible earning potential straight out of college, then a law degree is a solid choice. It's not an easy one, but the reward at the end makes it worth it.