Law

Australia’s legal system is based on English common law. The High Court is the highest court, hearing cases appealed from the lower courts as well as being the final arbiter on constitutional issues. Tribunals, which administer areas such as workplace relations, land valuation, equal opportunity and administrative appeals, also form a significant part of the legal system.

Lawyers are described as solicitors or barristers, depending on the work they do. The distinction between solicitors and barristers varies between states.

The work

Some of the tasks lawyers typically perform include:

  • Provide legal advice
  • Draft legal documents
  • Mediation and negotiation
  • Represent clients at court and tribunal hearings
  • Research

Lawyers can work for small or large legal firms, government departments, large corporate entities (such as banks, insurance companies) or as solo practitioners. They often specialise in a certain area, such as commercial, criminal or family law.

Rising student numbers in recent years mean that some law graduates must find work outside the legal field. Unlike many other professions, there are too few jobs for the number of graduates, so competition for graduate positions is more intense than ever. Graduates with a double degree, most commonly Law and Commerce, may find it easier to gain employment.

Graduates interested in working in the legal profession should consider the following lifestyle factors:

  • Lawyers often work under extreme pressure and to tight deadlines.
  • Hours can be long and the sector is not particularly family-friendly
What you need

Becoming a lawyer involves: (i) completing a Law degree; (ii) completing some form of pre-admission Practical Legal Training; (iii) becoming admitted to legal practice; and (iv) obtaining a practising certificate (Source: Careers for Law Graduates, Graduate Careers Australia, 2007).

Most students undertake a combined Law degree, but a single Law degree is also available at some universities.

The requirements and nature of practical legal training and Practising Certificates can vary from state to state so check with the peak legal body in your own state or territory for more information.

Money matters

The 2006 Australian Graduate Survey found that half of all bachelor graduates working in the legal services industry earned $32,000-$50,000, while the equivalent range within the justice sector was $39,000-$48,000. For bachelor graduates working as legal professionals in general, half earned $38,000-$52,000. More experienced barristers and solicitors can earn from $50,000 to over $150,000, depending on experience. Senior associates typically earn between $95,000-$230,000 while partners have the opportunity to earn even more depending on their level of expertise and area of practice. Corporate law, in particular, may provide significant returns.

See www.gradsonline.com.au for current salary information.

Significant stats
  • There has been a 15.4 per cent growth in jobs for legal professionals in the past five years. Strong growth is expected to continue.
  • Forty-one per cent of legal professionals are women.
  • The median age of legal professionals is 38, making it a relatively young profession.

Source: except where indicated, figures from “Australian Jobs 2007”, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.