Is a law degree worth it in Australia?
By Zoya PatelPublished on
A law degree can offer valuable skills and broad opportunities, but it also comes with a significant study commitment. This guide looks at the benefits, challenges and key factors to weigh up before deciding whether it’s the right choice for you.
Is studying law worth it?
Studying law can be worth it for people who are looking to pursue a career as a practicing lawyer, but also for those who want to hone their critical thinking, analysis and interrogation skills to equip them for a wide range of careers.
Professor Joshua Aston, Associate Dean of Law at Edith Cowan University, says that a law degree can absolutely be worth it, but you do need to consider a few factors when assessing its value for yourself:
In my view, a law degree in Australia remains a highly valuable qualification, both professionally and personally. But its worth depends significantly on how a student engages with their studies and the opportunities they pursue along the way.
Like any qualification, how much value you take from studying a law degree can depend on your specific learning style, career goals and preferred type of study.
Read on to find out some of the benefits (and some of the challenges!) of studying a law degree.
What are the benefits of a law degree?
“From a professional perspective, law continues to be one of the most versatile degrees. It provides a strong foundation in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, communication, and problem-solving skills,” Joshua says.
These skills are transferable across a range of careers, including:
- Legal practice
- Government policy
- Business
- Consulting
- Academia, and
- The not-for-profit sector.
Law degrees are also known for being demanding, often with high entry requirements as well as a significant study commitment. Completing one can show employers you have strong academic skills, discipline and persistence — qualities that can help you stand out in the job market.
Employment and salary outcomes for law graduates
Graduate outcomes are strong. According to the latest annual QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, law and paralegal studies graduates have higher-than-average employment outcomes and graduate salaries.
Law course graduates | All undergraduate fields | |
Full-time employment | 82.5% | 75.4% |
Median graduate salary | $80,000 | $77,000 |
Source: 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey. Outcomes are measured around four to six months after course completion.
Depending on the role and area of practice, law can offer strong long-term earning potential, with private practice firms in some capital cities offering average salaries of $180,000 a year for established lawyers.
You can read more about the financial benefits of law in our salary guide.
What are the challenges of a law degree?
As Joshua explains, it’s important to consider your capacity, level of commitment and appetite for the high study load associated with studying a law degree, to get the most out of it.
One of the most common things I see students underestimate is the sustained level of time, discipline, and intellectual engagement required to succeed in a law degree.
“Law is not simply about attending lectures and passing exams; it requires consistent reading, critical analysis, and the ability to engage deeply with complex materials over an extended period.”
Read more about what it's actually like to study law.
What opportunities can studying law create?
Studying law can create a wide range of opportunities, not just restricted to the legal field itself. Some common careers that law graduates pursue include:
- Legal practice: A law degree is a prerequisite to a career as a solicitor or barrier. You can then further specialise in areas such as criminal law, family law, corporate and commercial law, taxation, litigation, or emerging fields such as technology and environmental law.
- Academia: Law provides a strong foundation for careers in academia and research, whether in legal studies, or in politics, sociology, and more.
- Journalism: The interrogation, research and critical thinking skills you gain in a law degree are transferable to a career in the media.
- Diplomacy/international relations: Understanding international and/or human rights law can lead to a career in diplomacy.
- Government: Law can set you up for a career in policy development and the civil service, especially if you specialise in constitutional law or taxation.
- Advocacy/not-for-profits: Many not-for-profits require people with law qualifications to take on advisory and leadership roles, especially in terms of governance.
“It is also worth noting that the legal profession in Australia is evolving rapidly,” Joshua says. “New areas such as technology regulation, environmental law, data protection, and Indigenous legal issues are creating fresh opportunities for graduates who are adaptable and forward-thinking.”
What should you consider before studying law?
Now that you know a bit more about the value of studying law, here are some factors to consider before you enrol:
- Can you make the time commitment to the study load? Law requires a high commitment to lectures, readings and assessments. Consider whether you have the time for a full-time law degree, and consider exploring other options to get started in your legal studies in a more flexible way. Here’s some advice on low commitment entry options.
- What career outcomes are you interested in, and how should you specialise? Depending on what you want to get out of a law degree and what career options you want to pursue, you may want to choose the law degree format that suits you best and allows you to specialise in your interest area. It’s useful to speak to a student advisor to workshop your options, or you can read our guide to law degrees for a better understanding of your options.
- Can you commit to the level of reading needed in law? Understanding your preferred study style will help you decide if you are suited to studying a law degree. If you aren’t comfortable with high levels of reading, you may want to consider other study options that have a more flexible study style.
- What stage of your career are you in? Law degrees are useful at many different points in a career, but the format you choose will be guided by the stage you’re at in your career, and what prior study you have completed.
How can you get started in law?
According to Joshua, plenty of students get started in law with only a general interest in the legal system, including himself.
“Like many students, I did not begin my academic journey with complete certainty about my career direction. What gradually drew me to law was an interest in how societies are organised, how decisions are justified, and how principles of fairness and accountability are translated into practical outcomes.”
Here are the steps we recommend following next:
- Review what different law courses are available, including online
- Understand the entry requirements you need to meet to get in, and the alternative pathways you can take if needed.
- Compare subject lists, course fees and start dates between universities.
- Learn about what it’s like to study law online.
- Check out our guide on choosing the best online law degree for your situation.
- Book a session with a student advisor, who can explore the options with you in more detail.
- Enrol with your university through us when you’re ready
Explore your study options through us
Compare online law courses available from leading Australian universities, or use Help me choose to narrow down your options based on your goals.
Open Universities Australia can help you compare your study options and access alternative entry pathways into study. You become a student directly with your chosen university.
About the author
FAQs about if law is worth it
Is a law degree worth it if you don't want to become a lawyer?
Yes, a law degree can absolutely be worth it, even if you don’t want to become a practicing lawyer. Law degrees teach you valuable critical thinking, analysis, research and interpretation skills that are highly transferable to other career types. Plenty of students who graduate from a law degree go on to have fulfilling careers in fields such as advocacy, policy, research, journalism, and more.
Is it worth studying a law degree as a postgraduate?
Yes, it is worth studying a law degree as a postgraduate if you are looking to increase your skill set or transition to a legal career. Many students who study a different topic in their undergraduate degree go on to study a Juris Doctor, which covers the same essential material as a Bachelor of Laws but is designed for mature-aged students.
Can a law degree be useful outside the legal profession?
Yes, a law degree can be useful outside the legal profession. As well as providing you with highly transferable skills, law degrees are typically well regarded in fields outside of law, because of the rigorous entrance, study and completion requirements associated with them.
Is a law degree worth it for mature-age students?
Yes, a law degree is worth it for mature-age students, especially if you want to upskill, or transition your career. It’s good to think about how you will balance the study and attendance requirements alongside other commitments you might have in terms of work and family. Studying law online can be a good way to balance these different priorities as well.
Is law a good choice if you're unsure about your long-term career goals?
Law can be a good choice if you’re unsure about your long-term career goals, because of the transferability of the skills you learn. However, law degrees are rigorous and demanding programs, so ideally you are broadly interested in the types of careers law degrees are useful for, before you enrol.
What should you do if you're interested in law but not ready to commit to a full degree?
You can start with a single law subject through Open Universities Australia. This lets you test whether you enjoy legal study, build confidence with university-level reading and assessment, and work out whether you want to continue towards a full law qualification.
Before enrolling, check whether the subjects you choose can be credited towards the degree you may want to study later. Our student advisors can help with this if you’re not sure.
