Law plays a vital role in shaping a fair and functioning society. And if you’re interested in how laws shape everyday decisions, workplaces and communities, a career in law can open the door to a wide range of opportunities across industries.
Once you’ve set your mind to pursue a role in the legal sector, you may have questions like: Can I study law online or part-time? Do I qualify to study law? What legal roles are available once I’ve received my degree? Here’s a simple breakdown to help you get started.
Can I study a law degree online?
Yes, you can! Swinburne Online offers a range of online law courses and has made entry into your legal career even easier with the Undergraduate Certificate in Law. This course provides a pathway into the Bachelor of Laws and a range of esteemed roles in various industries, including government, policy, compliance and administration.
Do I qualify to study law?
Whether you’re looking to build foundational legal knowledge, explore a career in law or transition into the field, this course is designed to support different starting points. The entry requirements to the Undergraduate Certificate in Law are designed to make the course accessible, regardless of your background.
Applicants interested in studying this course need to meet at least one of the below requirements:
- A completed or partially completed tertiary qualification (e.g. relevant Certificate IVs, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, incomplete or complete bachelor’s degree), or
- 4+ years of relevant work experience, or
- Recent Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent completion, with the required English study score.
If you are still unsure if your current qualifications meet the requirements or how to tackle work-life-study balance, our team of Course Consultants, Student Advisors and Coaches will be your dedicated support to help you on your study journey.
What careers can I pursue with this qualification?
When thinking about legal roles, most of us immediately think of becoming lawyers, but the Undergraduate Certificate in Law offers so much more. With the Undergraduate Certificate, this qualification can support entry-level roles across government, business, compliance, and justice. The skills you develop may lead to roles such as:
Paralegal
- Average Salary: $75,000 to $95,000
- Role: Assist lawyers with various legal tasks, including client communication, legal research, and document drafting.
Law Clerk
- Average Salary: $65,000 to $85,000
- Role: Provide specialised clerical and administrative support by performing tasks like legal research, document drafting and proofreading, and managing case files.
Legal Secretary
- Average Salary: $75,000 to $90,000
- Role: Support legal professionals by preparing legal documents, managing files and schedules, conducting legal research, and handling communication with clients and courts.
Compliance Support Officer
- Average Salary: $75,000 to $95,000
- Role: Assist in ensuring an organisation follows all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies.
Court Administration Officer
- Average Salary: $75,000
- Role: Manage administrative functions and provide support to the court system by managing court staff, handling financial and human resources, coordinating with legal professionals, and assisting judges with administrative tasks.
Government Policy Assistant
- Average Salary: $100,000 to $115,000
- Role: Conduct research, provide support for policy development and implementation, and assist with administrative tasks such as maintaining records and preparing presentations.
What does the course cover?
This flexible online course consists of four units and can be completed in eight months of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. The core units will help you to gain an introductory understanding of general principles of Australian contract law, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving. You will also develop core legal skills in legal research, professional communication, and case and statute analysis. You can choose from four elective units to complement the area you want to focus on. These include key principles in law and procedure, legal writing, examining contractual principles, and comprehensive knowledge in Australian tort law.
These skills are useful across a range of professional settings. Most importantly, this foundational knowledge will serve as a stepping stone to further accredited study in law, should you wish to pursue it.
What’s beyond the Undergraduate Certificate in Law?
This foundational course provides the perfect pathway into the legal sector as well as supporting your current role or helping you move into a new one. And it serves as a simplified point of entry if your goal is to progress to the Bachelor of Laws and take your first steps to becoming a practising lawyer in Australia.
The Bachelor of Laws can lead to careers such as:
- Lawyer: Provide legal advice to clients in one or more areas of law as solicitors or barristers.
- Policy Advisor: Provide expert advice to government officials, organisations, or businesses on developing, implementing, and evaluating policies.
- In-house Counsel: Provide strategic legal advice directly to a corporation, managing risk, compliance, and regulatory functions.
- Legal Consultant: Provide legal advice, risk assessment, and contractual support to businesses, often on a contract or in-house basis, without representing clients in court.
- Intellectual Property Specialist: Manage, protect, and enforce an organisation’s intangible assets, including patents, trademarks, and designs.
- Corporate / Government / Not-for-profit Legal Roles: Legal professionals are also needed across corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors. Depending on the role, responsibilities may include contract negotiation, compliance, regulatory advice, risk management, and policy development.
This course also serves as a good option for those who want a foundational understanding before fully delving into law or further study in law. Swinburne Online’s flexible online study allows you to study while working, which will help you apply what you learn directly to your work and daily life.
Is it worth studying a law degree in Australia?
This question is often asked on open forum platforms like Reddit and Quora, along with questions like, Is it worth studying law in Australia? Is law the correct career choice for me? While Australia holds 19 of the Top Law and Legal Studies Universities in the World according to QS World University Rankings, there is also a continuous push for innovation and progress in the Australian legal sector.
In June 2025, the Thomson Reuters Institute released the Australia State of the Legal Market 2025 report which highlighted that Australian legal firms are at the forefront of global AI adoption. The top law firms ‘invested substantially in digital transformation initiatives’ and are ‘utilising cutting-edge technology to enhance operational efficiency, professional development and client service delivery’. This trend highlights the increasing role of technology in legal practice.
Legal roles in Australia are showing a job growth of up to 20% in the next five years and with over 4,600 legal roles currently available, according to Seek, the law sector is an industry with ongoing demand for skilled professionals. And depending on your focus and passion, the study of a law degree can open doors to roles in contract law, research, compliance, youth justice and consulting for various organisations, including not-for-profit entities.
Why study law with Swinburne Online?
Swinburne Online is ranked amongst the Best Universities for Law Degrees in Australia by the Times Higher Education (THE), while offering this specialised degree as an entry to the Bachelor of Laws. Once you’ve completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Law with a 60% credit average, you will secure your place in the Bachelor of Laws and be on your way to securing entry into the LLB.
Studying this entry pathway degree with Swinburne Online will also give you an understanding of your online study journey with us and will make for a smooth transition to any of our other online law courses, whether you decide to continue with law or potentially pivot to Criminal Justice and Criminology.
Swinburne Online also has a strong focus on supporting our students. Your support includes Course Consultants who guide you through application, Online Learning Advisors (OLAs) who assist you with your studies, Student Coaches to help you set realistic goals and keep you motivated, and Student Mentors who can assist you with motivation and study skills.
What’s your verdict?
If you’re ready to start your journey to be able to advocate, mediate, and represent others, then apply today or get in contact with our Course Consultants. Now is the time to make a statement and join the innovative legal sector that keeps society thriving.
