Is law a good degree in Australia?

Asked by: Domenic Oberbrunner DVM  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (13 votes)

Law is a great degree if you think you might want to be a lawyer. ... There are 65,000 practising solicitors in Australia and even if there were equal numbers of law graduates not practising, that would make us 1 per cent of the Australian workforce.

Is a law degree worth it 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.

Is Australia a good place to study law?

A significant number of international students pursue Australian law degrees because of their high quality and internationally prized status. The degree to which your Australian degree will be recognized outside the country, however, varies according to country.

Is law in demand in Australia?

Australian law firms saw an average 2.2% increase in legal demand in FY 2021. ... The overall increase in demand was a major achievement amidst the challenges of the pandemic. The demand growth was lower than the 7.4% in FY 2020 ending June 30, 2020, as well as the 4.8% in FY 2019, and 7.8% in FY 2018.

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.

This is why you should NOT study a Law Degree...

38 related questions found

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.

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.

Is it hard to get a law job in Australia?

The Australian legal market is notoriously saturated with graduates, which makes finding employment as a lawyer extremely competitive in an average year. ... Recruited for in a law student's penultimate year, a clerkship is a short placement within a firm.

Is it hard to find a job in law?

But it is very rare. 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.

Is it easy to get a job in law Australia?

It is extremely hard to get a job as a lawyer now. I know of several recent graduates who couldn't, and a couple of them were brilliant students with outstanding results. The only one who was successful was the son of a senior barrister with many connections.

Why should I study law in Australia?

In addition to equipping students for legal practice, legal education in Australia confers broad generic skills such as analytical reasoning, problem-solving, clear communication and practical negotiation, all of which equip graduates for a wide variety of careers.

How much do lawyers earn in 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.

Which Australian University is best for law?

Best universities for law degrees in Australia 2022
  1. University of Melbourne. The University of Melbourne Law School was established in 1857. ...
  2. UNSW Sydney. ...
  3. Australian National University. ...
  4. University of Sydney. ...
  5. The University of Queensland.

Is studying law a good idea?

While law graduates are well-suited for specific legal careers, studying a law degree does not limit you to roles specifically in this field. Like other social science subjects, the academic challenges provided by law degrees can be good preparation for a broad range of different career paths.

Is getting a law degree a good idea?

Law school is not a bad idea for every student, but it certainly can be a bad idea for some students. If you have unreasonable expectations of what a lawyer's work entails, how much money you will make, or if you have the wrong reasons for wanting to attend, than law school can be a bad idea.

Is law a good degree 2021?

If you are willing to study harder than ever and be persistent for the 3 years, it is rewarding financially and personally. Law School is tough and you have to want that degree. Even in 2021 there are many opportunities in private practice and with corporations for new lawyers who went to good schools and did well.

Are lawyers happy?

Satisfaction with one's pay and reward definitely increases in accordance with how many years one has been in practice. Three in four lawyers with between one and six years of PQE are happy with their remuneration, while four in five of those with more than seven years of practical experience have comparable happiness.

Are lawyers richer than doctors?

It is true as well that different medical and legal fields can have their own unique averages. However, on average, the data shows that doctors make more than lawyers. ... Specifically, the average doctor makes $208,000 per year, while the average lawyer makes $118,160.

What are some disadvantages of being a lawyer?

Disadvantages of Being an Attorney
  • Lawyers often work long hours.
  • You will often no longer have a life apart from work.
  • Clients can be quite demanding.
  • Working climate may be rather bad.
  • You may get sued.
  • Law school can cost a fortune.
  • Digitalization is a threat to lawyers.

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.

What skills does a law degree give you?

The range of skills that a law degree provides includes:
  • research skills using a range of sources, including verbal questioning.
  • evaluation skills and the ability to interpret and explain complex information clearly.
  • analytical skills.
  • reasoning and critical judgement skills.
  • the ability to formulate sound arguments.

Are there too many 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 type of person is best suited to be a lawyer?

Lawyers must be orally articulate, have good written communication skills and also be good listeners. In order to argue convincingly in the courtroom before juries and judges, good public speaking skills are essential.

Is law school difficult?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

Is it hard to find job after law school?

Many law students and graduated law students struggle to find a job after law school. It is no secret that the legal job market is at an all-time low. Law students and new lawyers compete for the few jobs that have openings.