An LLM degree is your next step in law education, preparing you to enhance your knowledge and fine-tune your legal skills. Short for Master of Law, LLM is a professional graduate degree for law students designed to help them pursue advanced studies in a specialised law domain. In addition, pursuing LLM from overseas, such as from Australia, enables you to earn an international qualification, giving you a giant leap in your career trajectory.
Taking up LLM in Australia has a significant advantage for international students, as the degree is globally recognised and allows you to practice law anywhere in the world. Australia also has a reputation for being home to several top-ranked law schools, and you can be one of the privileged students too!
Like most international students, several reasons will make you pick Australia to study LLM abroad. Some of these are listed below:
Australian universities offer various LLM specialisations for students that provide detailed insights into multiple aspects of law, such as labour law, intellectual property rights, civil law, and the like.
Students get broad exposure to real-world work settings with paid internships offered by most Australian universities.
Australia is the third most preferred English-speaking country, after the US and the UK, to study abroad for LLM.
LLM in Australia is internationally accredited in various countries such as Ireland, Canada, India, and the US, allowing international students to practice law in any part of the world.
Australia is home to some of the world's top law universities, which are among the top ranks per QS and THE World University Rankings.
LLM, or Master's of Law, is a postgraduate degree course for law students and law practitioners who aspire to advance their careers. The degree from Australia is globally recognised, allowing the course graduates to practice law back home or anywhere in the world. LLM is offered at Australian universities in various specialisations giving the students a flavour of different aspects of the law. The course is generally designed for 1 year. Some universities prefer applicants from a law background or have prior experience in a related field, while others impart the course to first-time law students.
Some of the most opted-for law courses in Australia for Indian students are highlighted below:
Laws (Major Thesis)
Master of Taxation Law
Commercial Law
Law (Research)
Laws in Commercial Law
The average tuition fee for Indian students aspiring to pursue LLM in Australia ranges between AUD 35,000 and AUD 54,000 annually. Note that the LLM Australia fees exclude the other expenses involved in living in Australia. Therefore, students are generally required to have sufficient funds to support their education and living costs in the country.
International students looking to study LLM in Australia must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for admission at one of the leading universities:
A completed Bachelor’s degree in Law or LLB from a recognised university or an equivalent degree in law from an accredited law school
A minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS to certify English language proficiency
At least 2 years of prior professional experience in the field of law or a related domain (preferred by some universities)
Documents to be Submitted
In addition to meeting the above requirements, you’d also need to submit the following documents in order:
Self-attested mark sheets and certificates of grades X and XII
Letter of Recommendation
Proof of funds to establish financial stability
A valid passport or any other identification proof
Statement of Purpose
Updated CV/Resume
Visa Requirements for Indian Students to Study in Australia
To apply to an Australian university for LLM, you must first have a valid student visa. The following documents will help you obtain one:
Proof of Enrollment in the applied university
Certified copies of academic transcripts
Statement of Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)
Health insurance approved by the Government of Australia
Proof of payment of visa fee
No criminal record statement
Any other requirements as specified by the applied university
Australia has several top-ranked universities where LLM can be pursued. The table below lists just some of them:
University | QS World University | Next Intake for |
The University of Melbourne | 33 | Jun |
The University of Queensland | 50 | May |
Monash University | 57 | Jul |
The University of Technology Sydney | 137 | Jul |
The University of Western Australia | 90 | Sep |
UNSW Sydney | 45 | Jul |
The University of Sydney | 41 | Jul |
Australian National University (ANU) | 30 | Nov |
The University of Adelaide | 109 | Jul |
Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023
To make LLM in Australia more accessible and affordable to students around the world, Australian universities offer a wide array of scholarship programs. Some of these are listed below for your reference:
Alex Chernov Scholarship awarded to students of LLM at the University of Melbourne (based on academic excellence)
International Student Award awarded to students of UNSW (based on academic achievement)
Postgraduate Academic Excellence International Scholarship awarded to students of the University of Technology Sydney (based on academic merit)
International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship for students of Griffith University who have earned a minimum GPA of 5.5 on a scale of 7
ANU College of Law International Excellence Scholarship awarded to LLM students at the ANU
LLM course graduates are entitled to assume job roles at various law firms in Australia upon course completion, based on their academic performance and skills earned. Some of the popular career prospects that are likely to open up for law graduates include:
Solicitor
Senior Lawyer
Government Attorney
Law Firm Partner
Senior Paralegal
Corporate Lawyer
The expected average LLM degree salary per annum for course graduates is around AUD 92,300 - AUD 170,800. However, this is likely to vary from one organisation to another as per changes in skills and experience.
1. What is the average acceptance rate of international students for LLM in Australia?
The average acceptance rate for international student enrollment at most Australian universities is around 40-50%.
2. What are the IELTS requirements to study Master of Law in Australia?
LLM in Australia requires students to obtain a score of 7.0 in IELTS.
3. What is the difference between a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master of Law (LLM) degree in Australia?
A JD degree is pursued by students who wish to practice law. An LLM is a more advanced course designed to impart specialised knowledge and skills in the law domain.
4. Can international students transfer LLM credits in Australia to another university?
Some universities in Australia may allow students partial transfer of their credits earned in the previous university. However, it is best to check with the university you are applying to.
5. Can Indian students practice law in Australia after completing an LLM degree?
Indian students with an LLB degree in India can pursue LLM in Australia. However, they cannot practice law in Australia until they pursue an LLB at an Australian university, followed by an LLM in Australia.
6. What kind of visa is required to study LLM in Australia?
You would need a student visa to pursue LLM at an Australian university.
7. Is an Australian LLM degree valid in India?
Yes, LLM degrees at Australian universities are globally recognised in most countries, including India, the USA, and Canada.
8. Can Indian students in Australia work part-time while pursuing an LLM program?
Yes, Indian students pursuing LLM at an Australian university are entitled to work for up to 40 hours per two weeks on an Australian student visa.