You can study online for an Australia law degree, including Bachelor of Laws, a combined law degree, Juris Doctor and Master of Laws.
- Australian universities offer flexible programs for law students who want to study by distance education.
- Online law courses prepare you for a career in law or related fields in much the same way as on-campus programs.
- Studying online is a popular option for mature-age students with work or family commitments.
Many law graduates enter into private practice as a barrister or solicitor. Others work as corporate lawyers for large firms, legal officers in the public service, community lawyers or in positions outside the legal profession.
~ UQ
Types of Law Degrees in Australia
The types of law degrees in Australia are many. Legal studies can be general or professional.
- First-time uni students can do a Bachelor of Laws (3-4 years) or Bachelor of Laws combined degree (5 years).
- To be a professional lawyer, you also need to do practical legal training.
- Non-law university graduates can choose between a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor (both 3 years).
- Postgraduate degrees are available for professional development. They are usually meant for lawyers. But you may also want to do them if you are a legal researcher or deal with legal issues professionally (such as in business, policy development and regulatory compliance).
For further detail, see Good Universities.
Study Law Online
Completing an online law degree educates you in a more rounded way than you might imagine.
Law courses can give you the skills to be a successful lawyer, but also a producer, politician, manager, journalist or police administrator. Legal skills are valuable for any profession requiring intellectual strength and a practical approach. Law is a subject where you develop both abstract thinking and practical problem solving skills.
- Legal graduates come away with more than just a degree and knowledge of the system of law.
- You acquire generic skills, such as precise writing and the ability to argue from a basis of evidence.
Studying law online gives you the chance to sharpen your mind, strengthen understanding and deepen experience across the full range of humanities and social sciences. You acquire both breadth of understanding and depth in areas of specialisation.
Law and society
Top Bachelor Programs
Studying law is a big investment of your time, so you definitely want to enrol in the best course available.
- Online law programs are generally the same as the on-campus version, but just delivered digitally.
- Lectures are live-streamed or recorded.
- You can interact with other students in online forums.
Lerna Australia has selected the top law schools for distance education. These are the best degrees in terms of course satisfaction ratings and value for money. Programs are selected from among all Australian universities which offer Bachelor of Laws degrees online.
CDU Bachelor of Laws
Charles Darwin University offers an online Bachelor of Laws program which is accessible by Australian standards. You can gain entry as a school leaver with an ATAR score of 75+. If you have a (non-law) degree, you can enter as a graduate and finish the degree in 3 years instead of 4. The course touches upon legal issues that are specific to the Northern Territory, including Aboriginal legal issues.
UNE Bachelor of Laws
The University of New England offers a 100% online law degree that can be completed in as little as 3 years of full-time study. The program is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of NSW (LPAB) for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW and, by mutual recognition, across Australia. Students are encouraged to adopt both a critical and progressive approach to interpreting the law and legal system. You learn the law and relevant context.
USQ Bachelor of Laws
The University of Southern Queensland offers a 3-year Bachelor of Laws degree that's proving popular with students. The highly rated course is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board as an academic qualification for admission as a lawyer in Queensland. It prepare you for practice as a solicitor or barrister in Queensland. Intending solicitors and barristers must also complete an approved practical legal training course.
Although it's not the only reason, many people study postgraduate law to get a legal career out of their law degree. Master of Laws (LLM) degrees are important for gaining a competitive edge.
- In some areas of the law, such as intellectual property and tax, advanced postgraduate study is almost a pre-requisite.
- Studying for a masters through distance learning is a convenient way to get valuable qualifications.
Qualified lawyers can enhance career prospects by doing online masters, short courses and research degrees.
- A masters course provides in-depth training to develop critical evaluation and analysis.
- LLM students interpret the meaning of words and abstract concepts, helping with analysis of complex qualitative data.
Note that graduates who want to perform legal practice can do the academic parts of a qualifying course online. The standard qualification is a graduate diploma in legal practice.
UNE Master of Laws
The University of New England offers a 1-2 year Master of Laws degree by coursework. The program is suitable for Australian and international law graduates. Students can broaden their knowledge and enhance independent, critical thinking and research skills. The flexible online course develops professional writing and includes research on current issues.
FAQs
Yes, you can study for a law degree online and become a lawyer in Australia. An online legal degree is just the same as a degree you earn by attending a university campus in person. Note that you'll still need to be admitted to the legal profession by a state or territory legal admissions board.
The steps typically involved in becoming a lawyer in Australia are:
- Earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an Australian university, either online or by attending classes on campus.
- Complete a period of practical legal training, such as a practical legal training (PLT) course or articles of clerkship. PLT courses are typically either full-time or part-time and can be completed through universities or private providers. Articles of clerkship is a practical training program which is typically undertaken as part of a work experience in a law firm.
- Pass the relevant state or territory's admission test.
- Meet the "character and fitness" requirements of the legal profession. This typically involves submitting to a background check and providing references.
- Register with the relevant state or territory's legal professional body and pay the relevant fees.
- Meet the ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) requirements to maintain your admission to the legal profession.
To specialise in a practice area such as family law, you essentially need to build relevant professional experience after gaining admission to the legal profession.
Family lawyers have specialised skills and knowledge specific to the practice of family law, including knowledge of relevant legislation, a good understanding of family court process and procedures, and mediation skills to help parents and ex spouses reach agreements.
One way to get experience is to find entry-level employment at a family law firm. New lawyers may start their careers at these firms, working under the supervision of more experienced attorneys.
Working as a law clerk is another option. Law clerks in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia assist judges in the preparation of cases. They may conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and provide support to the judge or senior registrar during court proceedings. They may also assist in the management of cases, including the scheduling of court dates.
You could also do pro bono work for legal aid organisations or non-profits that offer pro bono legal services to clients. New lawyers may be able to gain experience by working on these cases. Similarly, you could volunteer at a legal aid clinic or community legal centre that focuses on family law.
