tudying law in Australia can be a great investment if you pick the right school and understand the costs and time involved. Below is an overview of five of the best law schools, how long a law degree takes, how much it costs (especially for international students), and what features to look for.
What a Law Degree Typically Looks Like
- In Australia, you’ll often see a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a combined undergraduate + law degree (e.g., BA/LLB). You might also go straight to a Juris Doctor (JD) if you already hold a degree.
- The standard duration:
- LLB: Usually 3 to 4 years full-time for international students.
- Combined degrees: 4-5 years.
- JD: Often 3 years if full-time.
- Fees vary widely. For example:
- According to one source, annual tuition fees for law programmes at some universities are in the range of AUD $36,000-$47,000 per year.
- Another source shows total undergraduate law degrees might cost between AUD $98,000 to $248,800 for the full program for international students, depending on length and institution.
- For example: At University of Sydney the full-time undergraduate law fee guide for international students is about AUD $56,300 per year.
So yes, law degrees in Australia are a significant investment—but the top schools also provide strong credentials, career opportunities and global recognition.
Top 5 Law Schools in Australia
Here are five of the best law schools, what makes each special, and what you should consider.
1. University of Melbourne – Melbourne, Victoria
- Ranked #1 in Australia for law in several recent rankings.
- Features: Strong research environment, excellent teaching quality, global reputation.
- Fee and duration: For international students you should expect some of the higher tuition fees in Australia. (Exact current law-programme fees vary by year and specialisation.)
- Why choose it: If you want prestige, strong networking, and global recognition, this is among the very top.
2. Australian National University (ANU) – Canberra, ACT
- Among the top ranked in Australia for law and legal studies.
- Features: Excellent national and international law focus, often strong in public interest, policy, and environmental law.
- Fee and duration: Comparable to other top-tier schools; international students should check the current year’s published fee schedule.
- Why choose it: Good for students interested in law with a policy, global or government dimension.
3. University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) – Sydney, NSW
- Recently announced as #1 Law & Justice in Australia in the 2025 QS subject ranking.
- Features: Strong focus on modern legal issues (technology, global law, criminal law), in a major city.
- Fee and duration: International undergraduate law fee at Sydney gives a benchmark of about AUD $56,000+ per year.
- Why choose it: If you want to study law in Sydney with cutting-edge specialisations.
4. University of Sydney – Sydney, NSW
- One of the oldest and most respected law schools in Australia. Also among the top ranked globally in “law & legal studies” subject area.
- Features: Strong alumni network, variety of law specialisations, good career prospects.
- Fee and duration: International undergraduate law around AUD $56,300 per year.
- Why choose it: Heritage, strong reputation, broad choice of law areas.
5. Monash University – Melbourne, Victoria
- Ranked among the top law schools in Australia.
- Features: Good for commercial law, intellectual property, global law opportunities.
- Fee and duration: With other top schools at high fees, expect similar levels for Monash; check latest figures.
- Why choose it: If you’re interested in business law, tech law or want good options in Melbourne.
Key Features to Compare Before Choosing
When you’re comparing law schools, especially as an international student, here are important features to look at:
- Accreditation and recognition: Make sure the law degree is recognised in Australia and (if you intend to practice) meets requirements for admission to practice law in the jurisdiction you want.
- Duration & structure: How many years full-time? Do they offer part-time or combined degrees?
- Specialisations: Corporate law, international law, human rights, technology law, environmental law — check which areas the school emphasises.
- Location & campus: Being in a major city may help with internships, links to law firms, networking.
- Global reputation & ranking: Higher-ranked schools may give you better job and mobility opportunities.
- Tuition & living costs: Tuition is significant; living costs in cities like Sydney or Melbourne are also high.
- Career support & placements: Check how many law students get internships, clerkships, and job offers after graduating.
- Scholarships & financial aid: Many schools offer international student scholarships and early-application discounts.
- Flexibility & electives: Some offer online or blended study, or allow combining law with business, arts or technology degrees.
Estimated Fees & Timeline Summary
Here’s a rough timeline and what you might expect in terms of cost:
- Timeline:
- Standard LLB: 3-4 years full-time for international students.
- Combined degrees (LLB + another bachelor): 4-5 years.
- JD: 3 years full-time.
- Fees:
- Many law programmes charge around AUD $50,000-$60,000+ per year for international students at top schools. For example, University of Sydney shows about AUD $56,300 per year for law.
- Some sources show total costs for a full law programme (over all years) varying widely: AUD $98,000 to AUD $248,800 depending on length and institution.
- For domestic students the rates are often lower, and Australian citizens may access government loans (HECS-HELP) for undergraduate study.
- Additional costs: Living expenses, textbooks, student service fees, etc. Australia’s government requires proof of about AUD $29,710 for living costs for international students.
Why It’s Worth It
- Graduating from a top law school gives you strong credentials and global mobility.
- You’ll have access to wide-ranging career paths: private law firms, in-house counsel, government, NGOs, international organisations.
- In Australia, law remains a well-regarded profession with good earning potential (though of course success depends on your specialisation, location, and experience).
- You’ll build networks in Australia which can help if you plan to work there or seek global placements.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a law school in Australia is a big decision—both in time (3-5 years) and money (tens of thousands of AUD). But if you pick wisely, one of the top five schools listed above can offer excellent value, strong career prospects and global recognition.
If you’re planning now:
- Check the latest fee schedule of the school you’re interested in.
- Look at specialisations and career outcomes.
- Find out about scholarships and financial aid.
- Think about where you want to practice law after graduation.