Course Overview

About This Course

The Juris Doctor gives you the knowledge and skills necessary to become the lawyer you want to be and a lawyer the world needs. You'll enter the competitive graduate market with an edge, with a prestigious qualification offered by institutions such as Harvard, Yale and Columbia universities. UWA JD graduates are problem solvers who have a deep practical and theoretical mastery of subject matter; culturally competent legal professionals; relationship builders; resilient and reflective learners; and global citizens who understand the importance of the ethical and professional practice of law. By studying the Juris Doctor at UWA, you'll benefit from our Law School's longstanding and deep links with the legal profession, contributing to consistently high rates of employment for our graduates.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

35 Stirling Highway, Crawley (Perth), Western Australia 6009

35 Stirling Hwy, CRAWLEY, WA 6009

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

A bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA
The equivalent of a UWA grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.5
Indigenous applicants may be admitted via: meeting the general admission requirements above; or a bachelor's degree via the UWA Indigenous Direct Pathway with a GPA of at least 5.0; or a bachelor's degree plus a School of Indigenous Studies' Law Admission Test and interview
Equity and Diversity Pathway: applicants must have held a protection, refugee or humanitarian visa within seven years prior to applying, or have experienced significant personal, medical, social, educational, cultural or financial disadvantage; plus a bachelor's degree; plus a GPA of at least 5.0
Alternative Experience Pathway (option a): a bachelor's degree; plus a minimum of five years' unpaid or paid work, study or other experience since completing the undergraduate degree; plus completion of the equivalent of one year full-time in a UWA undergraduate course with a minimum GPA of 5.5 undertaken within the past two years
Alternative Experience Pathway (option b): a bachelor's degree; plus a GPA of at least 5.0; plus a minimum of five years' unpaid or paid work, study or other experience since completing the undergraduate degree; plus a personal statement; plus an interview
JD Transfer Pathway: enrolment in a recognised Juris Doctor course at another Australian university; successful completion of at least one full semester (or equivalent part-time study); and achievement of the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 60 per cent in that Juris Doctor course
English language: IELTS Academic overall score of at least 7.5 with no band less than 7.0 (higher English language competency requirements apply)
Applicants holding a completed PhD are automatically awarded a selection GPA of 7.00
Applicants holding a Master by Research will have a bonus of 0.20 applied to the GPA calculation

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Although the practice of law (lawyer, solicitor, barrister, in-house counsel or judge) is the most common career progression for law graduates, the JD also equips you to head into other areas such as politics, international relations, leadership positions and legal publishing. Following the JD, you can choose to study a more specialised and advanced law degree, including Law, Commercial and Resources Law, International Law, Taxation Law, International Commercial Law, Mining and Energy Law and Chinese Business Law. If you would like to pursue a research dissertation, you could enrol in the Doctor of Juridical Science, Doctor of Laws or another of UWA's research degrees.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Legal Practice Board of Western Australia

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

State Legal Admission Authority

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units19 units

Foundations of Law and Lawyering

Semester 1, Year 1 — taught intensively over a two-week period immediately preceding the start of Semester 1

Criminal Law

Semester 1, Year 1

Contract

Semester 1, Year 1

Property

Semester 1, Year 1

Foundations of Public Law

Semester 2, Year 1

Torts

Semester 2, Year 1

Interpretation

Semester 2, Year 1

Land Law

Semester 2, Year 1

Dispute Resolution

Semester 1, Year 2 — taught intensively

LAWS5101

Constitutional Law

Semester 1, Year 2

Equity and Trusts

Semester 1, Year 2

Corporations Law

Semester 2, Year 2

Remedies

Semester 2, Year 2

Administrative Law

Semester 2, Year 2

Professional and Ethical Practice

Semester 1, Year 3 — taught intensively

Evidence

Semester 1, Year 3

Procedure

Semester 2, Year 3

LAWS2224

Human Rights: Law and Context

Elective unit taught by Course Co-Director Murray Wesson

LAWS5209

Advanced Public Law

Elective unit

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the UWA Juris Doctor accredited and recognised for legal practice in Australia?

Yes. The Juris Doctor (20820) is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of WA (LPBWA). However, graduates must complete a recognised Professional Legal Training course offered by an accredited Professional Legal Training provider in Australia before being eligible to apply for admission into the legal profession. The UWA Juris Doctor degree is also recognised in China, Malaysia and Singapore.

What practical experience opportunities are available during the Juris Doctor?

The JD offers a range of work-integrated learning opportunities, including a Legal Internship unit involving a 12-week legal work placement, a Clinical Legal Education unit situated in the UWA Mediation Clinic and Minderoo Tech & Policy Lab, a Legal APPtitude elective, mooting (legal advocacy) competitions, client interview competitions, and access to Australia's first university law journal.

What are the fee options and is any financial support available for domestic students?

Domestic students may be offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), which significantly reduces tuition costs through a government contribution, and is available to students with a selection GPA of 5.70 or above (for 2026 commencement). Students with a selection GPA of 5.50–5.69 are offered a domestic fee-paying place and are eligible for FEE-HELP. The UWA Juris Doctor Bursary is also available to eligible domestic fee-paying students, providing a fee reduction of up to $5,000 per annum (maximum $15,000 over the course duration).

Can the Juris Doctor be completed part-time, and how long does it take?

Yes, the JD may be completed in three years full-time or on a part-time basis for up to nine years. The estimated time commitment for a full-time enrolment of four units is approximately 46 hours per week, excluding examinations. Some units are also offered as intensives during semester breaks, though the overall time commitment for those units remains the same.

What is the JD Assured Pathway and who is it for?

The JD Assured Pathway is designed for school leavers who want to secure entry into the Juris Doctor at the same time as applying for their undergraduate degree, using their ATAR. Students can study any of the wide range of Bachelor's degrees UWA offers as part of a Juris Doctor (Law) Assured Pathway, and those who complete the Assured Pathway and meet progression requirements are automatically awarded a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in the JD.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $65,000 to $85,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $85,000 to $120,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $120,000 to $175,000 per year

Career Paths

Graduate Lawyer / Graduate SolicitorSolicitorBarristerIn-House Counsel / Corporate CounselGeneral Counsel

Key Skills

Legal research and case analysisStatutory interpretation and legal reasoningWritten and oral advocacyContract drafting and document preparationCritical thinking and problem-solving

Full Course Overview

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Juris Doctor

About This Course

Available Locations

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students