
Juris Doctor courses
Earn your Juris Doctor online and get qualified for a range of legal careers
Help me choose a courseIntroduction to Juris Doctor
Have you studied something else but realised the law is your calling? A Juris Doctor could be the perfect solution for you.
Compare Juris Doctors from leading Australian law schools through Open Universities Australia. We’ll help you earn your qualification at a flexible pace, so that you can continue to work full or part-time in your current career.
Once you graduate from this course, you will satisfy the educational requirements needed to practice as a lawyer in Australia. As a Juris Doctor graduate, you can pursue a career in any area requiring legal expertise.
Are you ready to take the first step?
Explore Juris Doctor courses
Discover Juris Doctor courses
Online Juris Doctor degrees
Postgraduate
RMI-JDR-MASYour postgraduate path to a career in law
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
MAQ-LAW-MASChange-making expert knowledge of the law
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
FLI-JRS-MASTake up a flexible law degree that works for you
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
Need help choosing the right course?
With 30+ years experience, our student advisors will call at a date and time that suits you to discuss:
- Choosing the right course
- Enrolling in and planning your studies
- Understanding your funding options



When would you like to chat?
Let me pick a time
Find a time that suits you for a free 1:1 consultation with a student advisor.
Call me anytime
A student advisor will call you, usually within 30 minutes during business hours.
Looking for other ways to start the conversation? Contact us
Student reviews
We support thousands of students on their study journey every year
Our advisors are here to help with your study goals from enrolment to completion 7 days a week.
Juris Doctor study FAQs
What type of degree is a Juris Doctor, and how does it differ from a Bachelor of Laws?
A Juris Doctor is a postgraduate law degree. It covers the same material as a Bachelor of Laws but is designed for those with an undergraduate degree in a non-law discipline.
It’s assessed at a masters degree level.
On the Australian Qualifications Framework, the Juris Doctor is classified as a masters degree.
What will I learn in a Juris Doctor?
In your Juris Doctor, you will learn about the core areas of legal practice and gain an in-depth understanding of Australia’s legal system.
Your studies will cover the ‘Priestley 11’, which are 11 law subjects you must complete if you would like to apply for admission to practice as a lawyer.
Those subjects are:
Administrative law
Civil procedure
Company law
Contracts
Criminal law and procedure
Equity and trusts
Ethics and professional responsibility
Evidence
Federal and state constitutional law
Property
Torts
What is the workload like?
When you complete your course online through Open Universities Australia, you have complete control over how many subjects you take at once. You can study as little as a subject per semester, making it simple to integrate studying into your work and home life.
A Juris Doctor involves more reading than your average postgraduate course, so you should ensure you can allocate around 15 to 20 hours of study per subject per week to completing your course.
If you need a break, you can also put your studies on hold until you’re ready to resume.
Do I need any prior legal knowledge to enrol?
No. A Juris Doctor degree is for students who have never studied law.
How much does it cost to study a Juris Doctor?
The cost of your online Juris Doctor will depend on the university you study with. Course fees can vary anywhere from $43,000 to $115,000.
Online Juris Doctors are covered by the Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP). If you’re eligible, you can apply to defer all or part of your upfront tuition fees. You will only pay your fees back when your income reaches a certain threshold.
It’s important to note that there is a cap on how much you can borrow through HELP during your study life. If your tuition fees push you above the limit, you may be required to pay the outstanding amount upfront. You can read more about your borrowing limit at StudyAssist.
How long does it take to complete a Juris Doctor course online?
It takes 3 years of full-time study to earn a Juris Doctor online. You can finish your course in 3 years, or take your time moving through the subjects—it’s up to you!
Can I practice law after completing a Juris Doctor course?
Your Juris Doctor alone will not qualify you to practice law. Once you graduate, you still need to complete supervised Practical Legal Training (PLT) or a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice before you can apply for admission to practice.
What other career paths can I explore?
A Juris Doctor can lead to a variety of legal careers within law firms, community legal centres, not-for-profit organisations, corporations and government.
You could go on to become a:
Judge or judge’s associate
Legal officer
In-house legal specialist
You don’t have to practice law to benefit from a Juris Doctor. Legal knowledge is highly sought after in many areas, including business, banking, recruitment and politics. We even have alumni who have applied their skills in the film and healthcare industries.
Your online Juris Doctor can also complement your existing skills and qualifications.
How do I enrol?
Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:
1. Find your course
Browse the options on this page.
Use our comparison tool to explore the different choices.
Need help? Book a free phone consultation with a student advisor for personalised guidance.
2. Start your enrolment
When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.
Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.
You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:
Proof of identity
Your tax file number
3. Wait for confirmation
Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.
Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.
For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
What related study fields can I explore?
If you’re not convinced a Juris Doctor is the right move for you, don’t worry. We’re here to help you find a study path that’s exciting and fulfilling for you. Consider these related study areas:
If you’re still unsure, book a consultation with our friendly team of student advisors. They’ll help you find the right study pathway for you.
Student stories and study advice
6 facts you need to know about studying law online
We debunk your misconceptions and highlight the unique opportunities available to you when you study law online.3 fascinating forensics jobs in Australia
Thinking about forensics as a career? For true crime junkies and self-confessed science geeks with a penchant for justice, it might seem like the perfect choice. But what does it take to work in forensics, and what jobs are on offer in Australia?What area of law should I practice?
Law is a fascinating field to study—and provides many different areas in which you can specialise. Have you considered these areas of practice?What is a Juris Doctor?
Thinking about switching into the legal field? If you already have a qualification, then you should consider studying a Juris Doctor. Here’s everything you need to know about this graduate-level course.We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.
Over 532,578+ students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.
How we can help you
Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.
You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni
We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.
You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year
We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.
You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education
As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.