Australian universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate law programs, and some provide exchange or overseas-study opportunities. Here, we will discuss several top law schools to consider in Australia.
Top Law Schools in Australia
1. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne was established in 1853. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, it is ranked first in Australia and 37th worldwide. Its official facts page also reports that 46% of its students are international students from more than 150 nationalities.
Melbourne Law School traces its history to Australia’s first law course, established in 1857. Its alumni include former prime ministers and four graduates who have served as Chief Justices of Australia.
Melbourne Law School’s primary professional law degree is the graduate-entry Juris Doctor. The J.D. leads to admission to the legal profession in all Australian jurisdictions and can be used as a basis for seeking admission in many overseas jurisdictions. The school also offers Melbourne Law Masters courses and graduate research degrees, including the Ph.D. and MPhil, as well as the LL.D. by examination. Undergraduate students can explore law through breadth subjects.
2. University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a public research university in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1949, UNSW is a member of the Group of Eight. UNSW Law & Justice is ranked first in Sydney and 13th globally for law and legal studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
UNSW Law & Justice offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research pathways. Its undergraduate options include the Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice and the Bachelor of Laws. Postgraduate options include the Juris Doctor, Practical Legal Training, the Master of Laws, and an online Graduate Certificate in Business Law. Research applicants can consider the Ph.D., LL.M. by Research, and Master of Philosophy. The school also lists exchange opportunities and overseas electives.
3. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney (USYD) offers a range of law programs through Sydney Law School. The law school is ranked 17th globally for law and legal studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Undergraduate students can combine the Bachelor of Laws with arts, commerce, economics, engineering honors, or science. Graduate options include the Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and specialist master’s degrees. Research pathways include the Ph.D., LL.M. by Research, and Master of Criminology by Research.
4. University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) is located in Queensland, Australia. UQ Law School is Queensland’s first law school. Introductory law courses began in 1926, and the Faculty of Law was established in 1936. The school is ranked first in Queensland in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Students can study the Bachelor of Laws (Honors) as a single degree or combine it with arts, business management, commerce, computer science, economics, humanities, journalism, or science. The Law School lists the Master of Laws as its current postgraduate law coursework program. Research pathways include the MPhil and Ph.D.
5. Australian National University
The Australian National University (ANU) is located in Canberra, Australia. It was established by the Parliament of Australia in 1946. ANU is ranked equal 32nd worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
ANU Law School offers the Bachelor of Laws (Honors), Juris Doctor, graduate certificates, and the Master of Laws. It also offers the Master of Financial Management and Law and the Master of International Law and Diplomacy. Research applicants can consider the MPhil and Ph.D.
We hope this article on law universities in Australia was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Study in Australia and Available Courses for International Students.
