How long does it take to become a lawyer in Australia?

How long does it typically take to become a lawyer? 

On average, it takes anywhere from four to six years to become a lawyer in Australia. That covers a three- or four-year Bachelor of Laws (or a shorter Juris Doctor if you already hold a degree), about six months of practical legal training, as well as your formal admission to the profession.  

Study part-time and the timeline stretches further, which is actually very common and completely normal.

To unpack the numbers, we spoke with Professor David Heilpern, Dean of Law at Southern Cross University, a former barrister who spent over two decades as a magistrate and co-founded the university’s law school.  

What qualifications do you need to become a lawyer?  

You need three things in order to practise law in Australia:  

1. An accredited law degree

   Either a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or, for people who already have a degree in another field, a Juris Doctor (JD). Both cover the 11 compulsory areas of legal knowledge known as the Priestley 11.

2. Practical legal training (PLT)

   A hands-on program, usually a graduate diploma, that bridges study and real legal work – about six months full-time.

3. Admission and a practising certificate

   Once admitted to the Supreme Court roll in your state or territory, you’ll complete about 18 months to two years of supervised practice as a working, salaried lawyer.

For a more detailed breakdown, read our guide on how to become a lawyer.

Study pathways to becoming a lawyer  

How long you’ll take to complete a law degree depends on your starting point. There’s no ‘right’ starting point that will work for every student. Whether you’ve just finished Year 12 or haven’t studied in decades, there’s a pathway to match, and each option has its own timeline.  

Undergraduate certificates are made up of four subjects. If any of all of these match the subjects in the Bachelor of Laws, once you finish it, you can continue into the degree with credit – with little or no extra time added.  

Alternatively, with single subject entry, you start with one law subject (no application or ATAR required) and work towards the full degree at whatever pace suits you. There are more options in our alternative entry pathways guide.

Or you might like to read more about the different law degrees that are available.

Can you become a lawyer faster? 

Sometimes. The most reliable shortcut is credit for previous study.  

“Prior study is recognised, particularly for electives,” David says. Because the Priestley 11 subjects are compulsory, though, there’s a limit to how much credit any university can grant. Work experience won’t shave time off either: “It might get you into the degree, but it won’t give you credit for the degree.” 

Some universities offer accelerated or fast-track law degrees that can compress your studies into as little as two years. Just be realistic about the workload – faster isn’t automatically better, David suggests.  

If you’re worried you’ve left it too late, David has good news for you. The average age of law students at Southern Cross University is in the low 30s, and the university recently celebrated an 88-year-old graduate. As he puts it:

It genuinely is never too late. Look at the Supreme Court and the High Court – they’re littered with judges who were mature-age students when they started law.

“Every single law teacher you meet will tell you about the terrific mature-age students in their classes, because they bring life experience to the tutorial room, whereas school-leavers bring school experience.” 

Can you study to become a lawyer part-time? 

Yes, and it’s a hugely popular way to do it, especially for people juggling work and family responsibilities. Studying part-time at half-pace, a three-year degree becomes roughly six years, and for many working professionals that’s the more sustainable choice. 

David’s advice for part-timers starts with motivation:

Don’t do it if you don’t love it. If you enjoy it, you’ll find the time. If you cut out other things, you can fill that time with something that’s interesting, inspiring and leads to a good career.

His second tip is to choose your university carefully. “Some universities are in-person only – they don’t record lectures or tutorials, and that’s not good for part-time students who are working,” he says.  

Flexible and online models, where you can watch classes whenever suits you, are the ideal options for part-time and working students, as well as for people with parenting or caring responsibilities. One of David’s students travels from Moree to the Gold Coast for a single week of face-to-face classes each study period, and studies online the rest of the time. 

Can you study to become a lawyer online? 

Yes. Several Australian universities offer law degrees you can complete 100% online, and you can compare them side-by-side with Open Universities Australia. Online study gives you the same qualification as on-campus study, with the freedom to fit lectures around your life. 

Your practical legal training (PLT) can usually be done online too. Students can manage their PLT everywhere in Australia except New South Wales, which currently requires in-person components.

For a closer look at what the online experience involves, see our guide on how to study law online in Australia. 

What else can affect the timeline? 

A few extra steps sit between graduation and practising law, so make sure you consider: 

• Practical legal training: About six months full-time, or longer if you’re doing it part-time. In most states it’s the equivalent of a graduate diploma and student are eligible for a government study loan. 
• Admission: You’ll apply to your state or territory’s admission authority and satisfy their character requirements before being formally admitted at a Supreme Court ceremony. 
• Supervised practice: About 18 months to two years working under a senior lawyer’s supervision. You’re fully employed and paid, so this doesn’t delay the start of your career. 
• Your state or territory: New South Wales is currently the only outlier on PLT, requiring in-person attendance and upfront payment. The rules are being debated nationally, so check the specifics for where you plan to practise. 

Is becoming a lawyer worth the time investment?  

For most graduates, yes, and right now the job market is firmly on your side.   

“There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t get phone calls from legal practitioners crying out for smart young students to go and work for them,” David says, pointing to shortages in rural and regional practice, Legal Aid, Aboriginal legal services and government roles.  

A law degree also keeps your options open, even if you never set foot in a courtroom.

“Many people are using law as their foundation degree to bounce into a whole lot of different areas and professions – and it gives you options,” he says.  

So is a law degree worth it in Australia? That depends on you. Weigh up your options and figure out your preferred timeline, and don’t forget to look at the payoff in our lawyer salary guide.  

Explore your study options through us

Compare online Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor courses that will set you on the path to becoming a lawyer.

We're here to help you compare universities, find a pathway in and get enrolled. You become a student online with your chosen university.

FAQs about study timeframes