Indigenous Juris Doctor Scholarship
For Indigenous students commencing the Juris Doctor; worth 100% of tuition fees paid.
Not applicable
AU$40,320 (2022 annual)
Not applicable
AU$46,080 (2022 annual)
If you are a graduate who is passionate about law and justice, our Juris Doctor is your entry point to the legal profession.
You will build skills and expertise in the critical areas of practice. Under the supervision of legal professionals you will engage in a variety of simulations to develop practical legal capabilities.
In three years, the RMIT Juris Doctor will transform you from a non-law graduate into a legal professional. We will develop your practical and theoretical capabilities through a unique approach that we call ‘bringing law to life’. Through our deep industry connections, you will gain valuable legal experiences that prepare you to contribute in a rapidly changing world.
Build real-world skills such as research, advocacy, negotiation and how to work with clients, in a course ranked #1 in Victoria for skills development in law.
Take advantage of RMIT’s deep industry connections. Choose from a range of clinical, judicial, research and international study opportunities.
Work on law reform projects with our industry partners including RMIT’s Business and Human Rights Centre.
The RMIT Juris Doctor is an innovative postgraduate law course focusing on the fundamentals of law and the justice system.
This course is based on a unique approach that we call ‘bringing law to life.’ It has been designed specifically to create job-ready graduates, with direction and input from a Program Advisory Board made up of senior executives from law firms, representatives from the Bar, Magistrates and other senior members of the profession.
You will build practical legal skills such as mooting and advocacy, research and policy development, interviewing and working with clients and negotiation, influencing and mediation. These are integrated into the study of substantive areas of law.
You will learn how to conduct research, to gain insights into policy development and law reform through a subject focussed on innovative justice that incorporates design thinking in law. We offer a core subject in Law and Technology that gives you skills for the changing world of work and critiques the impact of technology on the law.
You will also choose from a range of law electives that cover human rights law, tax law, intellectual property law, international business law, competition and consumer law, insolvency, acquisitions and mergers, labour law, environment and planning law, health law, wills and family law.
The RMIT Juris Doctor has a three-year flexible structure. The course can be delivered in ways that suit your life. For example, a part time option is available, or you can study off-campus via Open University Australia’s online portal.
A feature of this course is the focus on Innovative Justice giving students the knowledge and skills to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the changing world of the law.
The RMIT JD is structured to bring the study of law to life by offering an amalgamation of practical, theoretical and research opportunities. You will develop a full range of contemporary legal skills. You will study Australian and international substantive law, focussing on all core areas of legal practice including commercial law, international law and innovation in the justice system.
Students can undertake 3 years of full-time study, or on a part-time basis. Online learning options are also available.
At RMIT, we understand the importance of providing students with real-world experiences and the skills to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market.
RMIT’s focus on industry-based, practical learning has seen our law courses ranked #1 in Victoria for skills development and among the top 10 for employer reputation in Australia. RMIT is also recognised as being among the top 250 institutions in the world for the teaching of Law.
Your classes on campus are held in the evening, generally at 5.30pm, and on selected weekends via intensive delivery.
They will mostly be held at the Emily McPherson College Building, a magnificent heritage property on the corner of Russell and Victoria streets in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Facilities include a student lounge, conference suite, teaching theatres and classrooms with the latest multimedia technology, and a rooftop patio with views of the city.
A summer semester is available and some students may be able to accelerate their progress. Classes are offered in weekly and intensive mode over summer.
In addition you will have access to online and digital resources through an online learning portal. You will be able to view online resources and learning activities created by lecturers, access course materials via Canvas, collaborate with lecturers and fellow students, and access your student email account.
Throughout the course, you will build legal skills and gain expertise in the critical areas of practice. Under the supervision of members of the legal profession you will engage in a variety of simulations to develop practical legal capabilities.
You will also learn how to conduct research, to gain insights into policy development and law reform.
As an RMIT JD student, we prepare you for the changing world of work in Law. We offer real industry internships and opportunities for Clinical Legal Education. Practical, industry-relevant options include:
There is the opportunity to observe a number of innovative courts, both locally and internationally in study tours for law students.
There is also the opportunity to take a study tour to our Vietnam campus looking at legal systems in Asia.
Classes on campus are held in the evening, and on selected weekends via intensive delivery.
A summer semester is available, and some students may be able to accelerate their progress. During the summer semester, classes are offered in weekly and intensive mode.
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
View the learning outcomes for each stream:
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
You must complete 18 core law subjects (including the 'Priestley 11') and six optional subjects (electives).
Please note: Plan MC161 is no longer taking new applicants. This plan applies to students who commenced the JD in, or prior to, semester 1 2014. Students in this plan should ensure that they are familiar with any relevant transition rules.
Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Graduates can change their career direction and enter the legal profession by adding this fully accredited legal qualification to their undergraduate degree.
RMIT’s Juris Doctor graduates have access to a range of legal opportunities. These include practising law in the commercial legal sector, practising as a barrister, or working as an in-house lawyer with corporations, governments or not-for-profit organisations.
JD graduates work in many other fields where knowledge of legal principles and the ability to think deeply and rigorously are essential. These fields include public administration, NGOs, politics and business. RMIT JD alumni are building a reputation as fully prepared, work-ready legal professionals. Finally, for those who are not contemplating a career change, the JD is a Masters level qualification can be a significant enhancement to your existing career.
Course accreditation or membership offered by professional bodies signals to employers the quality and relevance of RMIT's courses and opens up career pathways and networks.
Professional bodies accredit or recognise courses as meeting professional and academic standards deemed to be essential for a new graduate entering into that profession. An accredited course will either enable the graduate to enter directly into a professional qualifications program or provide the graduate with exemptions or credit towards a post university professional qualification.
This type of accreditation is where a statutory body must approve a course of study in order for a graduate to practise in that profession.
Professional bodies or associations are representative organisations of professions that provide membership and other career development support to its members. Many professional bodies offer membership opportunities for students and new graduates with benefits such as career advice, networking within the profession and access to resources not available through the university. The aim of these benefits is to assist with your transition from university into the profession.
Current course accreditations and information about membership and development opportunities for students and graduates.
Course satisfies the academic requirements for graduates admission to the Australian Legal Profession. (Accredited for course delivery in Melbourne and via Open Universities Australia.)
Visit the Victorian Legal Admissions Board website
The School is compliant with the standards for Australian Law Schools adopted by the Council of Australian Law Deans and assessed by the Australian Law Schools Standards Committee (ALSSC).
You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.
You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
You can gain entry to this masters degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.
Australian law degrees are required to include 11 core areas of knowledge - the 'Priestley 11’.
These areas are:
No exemptions from the Priestley 11 are allowed unless the courses concerned are the equivalent courses in another postgraduate law program.
For non-law electives, exemptions may be granted for courses successfully completed at master degree level.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Business and Law research programs are offered at Master and Doctoral level.
Upon successful completion of this masters degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.
You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.
For non-law electives, exemptions may be granted for courses successfully completed at master degree level.
Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Business and Law research programs are offered at Master and Doctoral level.
Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.
This program has full-fee places, with a limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSP).
Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
A summer semester is available for this program, allowing some students to accelerate their progress. If you choose this option and enrol in more than the standard full-time load (96 credit points) for the year, you will be charged accordingly.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees visit postgraduate study fees.
If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students commencing their program in 2022. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2022 |
---|---|
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture | $3,985 per standard year $498 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology | $8,021 per standard year $1,002 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science | $11,401 per standard year $1,425 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture | $14,630 per standard year $1,828 per standard (12 credit point) course |
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2022 is $315.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
If your FEE-HELP, HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.
See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.
For Indigenous students commencing the Juris Doctor; worth 100% of tuition fees paid.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$46,080.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$139,200.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.