With a law degree, you can move from understanding the law to changing how it works for people.
Law is about how societies organise themselves. It’s the system of rules that shapes what we can do, how we resolve conflict and how we protect people’s rights. Lawyers and legal professionals work out how those rules apply in real situations, and how they can be used to solve problems and create fairer outcomes.
Law touches almost every part of life: work, family, business, technology, housing, the environment and more. That means a law degree can take you into courtrooms and boardrooms, but also into government, policy, advocacy, compliance, consulting and emerging fields like cyber and digital regulation.
Career options for a law degree
It may seem obvious that if you study law then you'll end up becoming a lawyer, but that's only one of many possible career paths with a law degree.
Law
Careers in law focus on applying legal rules to real-world problems. This might involve advising clients, preparing documents, resolving disputes or representing people and organisations in negotiations or in court. Legal roles often centre on protecting rights, managing risk, interpreting complex legislation and helping people navigate systems that can otherwise be confusing.
Specific careers in this area include:
- Private practice lawyer
- In-house lawyer
- Barrister
- Regulatory lawyer
- Public interester lawyer
- Judge's associate
- Judge
- Mediator.
Government
Legal careers in government involve shaping, implementing and upholding the laws and policies that affect communities. This can mean analysing legislation, developing policy, contributing to law reform or advising decision-makers on the legal impacts of their choices.Work in this area often balances the needs of different groups and aims to deliver fair, transparent and accountable outcomes.
Specific careers in this area include:
- Diplomat
- Policy advisor
- Politician
- Regulatory lawyer or legal counsel within a regulator
- Government lawyer
- Legislative drafter
- Ministerial advisor
- Political staffer
- Public servant in justice, health, immigration or other departments.
International and human rights
Some careers focus on international law, human rights and humanitarian work. This can involve working with international organisations, NGOs or tribunals on issues like refugee protection, climate justice, trade or conflict.
Specific careers in this area include:
- Human rights lawyer (e.g. at a Human Rights Commission or NGO)
- Refugee or migration lawyer
- International law or humanitarian law advisor (often with NGOs or international organisations)
- Policy officer or legal officer in international or regional bodies
- Strategic litigation lawyer focusing on rights-based cases
- Researcher or project officer on human rights projects.
Academia
Law careers in academia centre on teaching, research and public discussion. These roles involve breaking down complex legal ideas so others can understand and use them, as well as investigating how laws work in practice and how they could be improved. Academic work often connects theory with real-world issues, contributing to debates that influence legal education, policy and reform.
Specific careers in this area include:
- Lecturer
- Researcher
- Program manager.
Community
Many law graduates work in community legal centres, advocacy organisations and charities. These roles focus on improving access to justice, supporting vulnerable communities and pushing for social change through legal education, casework and law reform.
Specific careers in this area include:
- Caseworker or solicitor in legal aid
- Tenant advocate or consumer advocate
- Policy and advocacy officer in a peak body or NGO
- Campaigns or law reform officer
- Pro bono coordinator in a law firm or organisation.
Business
In business, law-focused roles help organisations act lawfully and strategically. This work often involves understanding regulation, managing contracts, overseeing governance and ensuring that decisions comply with legal and industry standards. It can also mean designing processes that reduce risk, protect stakeholders and support long-term sustainability and growth.
Specific careers in this area include:
- Legal operations
- Company director
- Company secretary
- Risk or compliance manager
- Consultant.
Do I need further study to specialise?
Whether or not you require further study depends on the career path you're pursuing. Some roles can be reached with an undergraduate law degree, whereas other careers often expect or require postgraduate study or additional accreditation.
Practical Legal Training (PLT)
To be eligible to be admitted to practise law in Australia, you will need to complete the Practical Legal Training (PLT) requirements, either through one year of Supervised Workplace Training with a law firm or an approved PLT course. The PLT course can be undertaken on a fee-paying basis through Leo Cussen Centre for Law or The College of Law.
Undergraduate study options
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Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 5 years, Part-time 10 years
Bachelor of Laws
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 5 years, Part-time 10 years
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 5 years, Part-time 10 years
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 5 years, Part-time 10 years
Postgraduate study options
No courses match your current filters
Try adjusting them or reset all filters to see more options
Graduate Certificate in Commerce
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 6 months, Part-time 1 year
Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution
- February
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 6 months, or part-time equivalent
Graduate Certificate in Justice and Criminology
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 6 months, Part-time 1 year
Juris Doctor
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years
Master of Justice and Criminology
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years, Reduced duration available
Master of Public Policy
- February, July
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years, Reduced duration available
PhD (Law)
- Continuous (scholarship application closing dates apply)
- On campus
- Melbourne City
- Full-time 3-4 years, Part-time 6-8 years
Learn more about your law study options
Whether you're a Year 12 student weighing up your options or thinking about switching careers, RMIT's law courses provide a comprehensive and industry-focused education that can help you succeed as a lawyer in Australia.
