Is law a good career in Australia?

Asked by: Mr. Kenny Mueller MD  |  Last update: July 9, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (70 votes)

While not everyone who graduates with a law degree works in a law firm, this is often the first career option most law students think of. And with good reason: here in Australia, law is a solid career choice with services that are in strong – and increasing – demand.

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 there a demand for lawyers 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 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.

What field 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.

Study Law in Australia - Experience of recent law graduate

41 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.

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.

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.

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.

Is a law degree 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Is a law degree really hard?

Earning a law degree is pretty challenging because you are supposed to do a lot of hard work. This work comprises mostly of studying and understanding complex law cases loaded with new-fangled legal terminology and unusual jargon.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian celebrated passing the “baby bar” with some cheddar bay biscuits. The reality star learned that she passed the First-Year Law Students' Examination in December 2021 while sitting in her car in front of a Red Lobster restaurant.

Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer?

Kardashian first announced her decision to become a lawyer in April 2019 and is currently set to take the bar exam this year.

How long is a law degree in Australia?

Study Law in Australia

The LLB is a four year course of study, while the JD is a three year curriculum. Both degrees are recognized for the practice of law in Australia in addition to several other countries, as well. Nearly all of Australia's law students pursue a second degree before or during their law studies.

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 competitive is law in Australia?

Law degrees in Australia are very competitive, so you'll need a pretty good ATAR to get into a top uni. I'm talking upwards of 99 for some unis! Clearly, you need really high grades to get into a law degree immediately after high school.

Is a career in law right for me?

A career in law can be rewarding for you and, in many cases, your bank account. But you'll need to put in a lot of time and effort to make it work. Is a career in law for you? If you're going to make the commitment to become a lawyer, you need to think long and hard about whether law is the right choice for you.

What type of lawyer earns the most 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.

Who is the most paid lawyer in Australia?

According to SEEK, the type of lawyer that earns the most money is a Generalist In-House Counsel, with an average salary of $128,988. They are closely followed by Building and Construction Lawyers who earn an average annual salary of $124,041.

Are lawyers rich?

Most lawyers earn more of a solid middle-class income," says Devereux. You probably will be carrying a large amount of student loan debt from law school, which is not at all ideal when you're just starting out in your career. "Make sure you only become a lawyer if you actually want to work as a lawyer.

Why law is not a good career?

The job of a lawyer is very demanding and requires extreme concentration as you have to work on several cases simultaneously. Working hours are too long and you cannot afford to become lethargic as it is a highly competitive field. Remember, it is a lengthy process and it is hard to stick to it.