The Melbourne JD (Juris Doctor)

Frequently asked questions

• Entry requirements

  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Melbourne Law School will not be using the LSAT as part of the JD selection criteria for the 2022 intake. Your application will be based on all tertiary results (complete and incomplete degrees). We will review whether to use the LSAT as part of the selection criteria for the 2023 intake later this year.
  
  For further information please visit our admission FAQs.
  
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  Applicants to the JD must hold an undergraduate degree in any discipline other than law or a law degree from an overseas jurisdiction.

  Unlike other law schools, personal statements, interviews, references, work experience and extracurricular activities are not considered in the admission process.

  What score do I need?

  The selection committee looks at a wide range of factors in assessing your previous tertiary results; for example, whether your marks are on an upward or downward trajectory and whether you have undertaken graduate studies. We are unable to advise the score required as this is determined once the application deadline has passed and all applications are ranked by our selection committee. Your application will be assessed against those that are applying for the same intake as you.

  Melbourne JD entry requirements

• How do I apply?

  In Australia, first semester runs from February to the end of June and second semester runs from July to the end of November. The Melbourne JD commences in early February each year and there is no semester two intake.

  Applications are accepted between March and October for commencement in February of the following year. Applicants will be notified of an outcome within four to six weeks provided a complete application is submitted. Applications should be submitted directly to the University of Melbourne, but you can note on your application if LSAT results and academic transcripts have been submitted via LSAC.

  You can apply on your own or use the services of OzTREKK, the University's authorized education agent in Canada.

  There is an application fee of AUD$100 for the JD.

  Applying to the Melbourne JD

• What are the tuition fees?

  The annual tuition is approximately AU$42,500+ (approximately CAD$40,000 per annum), making it affordable to access one of best law schools in the world.

  Canadian citizens wishing to study at The University of Melbourne can access a range of student financial aid delivered through federal and provincial student loans.

  For further information visit Canadian Financial Aid

  Other information:

  • National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)
  • Student lines of credit

  Melbourne JD fees

• Can I practice in Canada with the Melbourne JD?

  The Melbourne JD is an internationally recognized degree and can be used as a basis for seeking admission to practice law in many international jurisdictions, including Canada.

  To practice law in Canada, all lawyers—foreign or domestic—must be admitted to the bar association of the province in which they wish to practice. Nine of the 10 provinces in Canada are common law jurisdictions, while the Province of Quebec is a civil law jurisdiction. Foreign lawyers may register in any of the 10 provinces as a foreign legal consultant (FLC). Australian lawyers wishing to practice Canadian Law must apply to the National Committee on Accreditation (or Barreau du Québec's Equivalences Committee for practicing in Québec) for an evaluation of their legal credentials. They must then determine the province in which they wish to practice law and meet additional requirements established by that province.

  Legal professional representative bodies:

  • Federal level – Federation of Law Societies of Canada
  • Province or territory level – various law societies (view list via Federation of Law Societies of Canada)
  • National Committee on Accreditation – Meeting the assigned requirements
• How do I practice law in Australia?

  In order to practice as a lawyer in Victoria, you will need to undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) for 6–12 months with a PLT provider or supervised legal training, usually in the form of a one-year traineeship with a law firm after completing the Melbourne JD.

  A candidate then must be admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory, and then obtain a practicing certificate, generally issued by the local legal professional body.

  There are visas available for international students who graduate from an Australian institution to live, work and study in Australia for between two and four years.