Introduction

Setting The Stage

W

hile exploring the journey of international students ​studying law in Melbourne, one of our team ​members decided to visit the Supreme Court of

Victoria, hoping to gather some insights. After passing through security ​and explaining our topic, the security guard seemed puzzled:

We found ourselves just as surprised. Who are these students pushing ​against the odds to carve out a future in an unfamiliar legal system? And ​what drives them to take on such a challenge?

Act 1

Law in Demand

B

efore we meet these bold individuals, let’s first ​explore why they would choose law as their major in ​Australia.

International students often gravitate towards fields like Engineering, ​Nursing, IT, and Construction to boost their chances of gaining ​Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia (experteducation; education ​ONE; idp). However, there’s one rapidly growing sector that seems to go ​unnoticed - law.

A 2024 report highlighted a 7.5% increase in demand for legal services, ​particularly in corporate law and dispute resolution. This surge has ​resulted in higher wages for fresh graduates and entry-level law ​professionals. Law firms are also offering a variety of benefits to attract ​and retain talent, making a legal career increasingly appealing. As a result, ​more students are now considering law as a promising career path.

Source: nrol, Law Firms & Salary & Market Report 2024-2025

The demand for legal workers remains especially high in rural and ​regional areas, where a shortage of professionals has driven many to ​relocate. On top of that, law graduates enjoy some of the highest rates of ​full-time employment in Australia, according to a government-funded ​survey. With these factors in mind, it’s no wonder law is becoming a ​sought-after profession in today’s competitive job market.

Source: Thomson Reuters, 2024 AustraliavState of the Legal Market

Act 2

The Risk Takers

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or local students, ​studying law seems like a ​practical choice. But

what about international students? For those ​from Commonwealth countries, the ​similarities in legal systems might make this ​route more straightforward and logical.

However, for students from non-​Commonwealth countries—where legal ​systems can differ drastically—pursuing a ​law degree in Australia seems like a much ​bigger gamble. These students face the added ​challenge of adapting to an entirely new ​legal framework, which may have little to no ​overlap with the one in their home country.

Yet, despite the risks, many international ​students from non-Commonwealth countries ​are taking the plunge, motivated by ​ambition and global career opportunities. ​We spoke to two who shared their stories.

Act 3

The Missing Piece

P

atricia pointed out the significant challenge ​international students face in securing internships in ​Australia, as many positions are reserved for

Australian Permanent Residents or Citizens. Jessica echoed this ​sentiment, mentioning that while Monash University has various ​initiatives to support international students, finding internships remains a ​daunting task.

A common questions job or internship seekers get on job platforms.

Off camera, Jessica revealed she did manage to land an internship, but it ​lasted only one day—far from enough to gain substantial experience. ​Patricia also expressed frustration over seeing her classmates secure part-​time jobs in their first year, often through family connections.

This situation raises a crucial question: Will job placements during their ​third and fourth years improve their chances of securing full-time ​positions after graduation? Or will firms continue to favor fresh graduates ​who are citizens or permanent residents? Only time will tell.

Finale

The Verdict

T

he idea of getting Permanent Residency (PR) after ​years of study and hard work sounds tempting, but ​the job market can be tough for international

graduates. Even though there’s growth in legal services, many Australian ​law firms may still prefer hiring people who are citizens or Permanent ​Residents. This concern resonates with students who question whether ​their substantial investment will pay off. The competitive job market and ​complicated visa regulations mean that for some, the journey to a job ​post-graduation remains challenging and uncertain.

So, is the dream of studying law in Australia worth the risk, or is it a ​gamble that could leave many students empty-handed?