Juris Doctor

For leaders seeking to expand their skill set or transition into legal practice.

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Entry requirements

Key information

VIEWING DOMESTICINTERNATIONAL

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in an area other than law

See entry requirements Download brochure

Direct Entry

Yes

Duration

3 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)

Start Dates

March

July

Annual Fees

2025 : $33,768 (FFP)

2025 : (FFP)

Delivery mode

Online

Practical experience

Not available

Study abroad

Not available

English language requirements

English language requirements by country

Why study a Juris Doctor at Flinders?

The Juris Doctor at Flinders University equips graduates from any discipline with the legal knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in law. Delivered online with flexible study options, it prepares students for professional legal practice while allowing them to balance study with work and life commitments.

Accredited to practice law in Australia and Singapore

Study with a university ranked in the top 2% globally and #2 in Australia for law and legal studies, opening doors to international legal careers.

Learn from experienced legal professionals

Gain real-world insights from practicing lawyers, preparing you to apply legal knowledge effectively in professional settings.

Earn qualifications as you study

Progress through the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Laws while developing skills that you can immediately use in your current work.

Personalised support & network program embedded

Course mentor program includes comprehensive orientation, access to support services and the Juris Doctor Mentor Network to grow connections as you study.

Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial challenges of university study

Flinders has scholarships for high achievers, those in need of financial aid, indigenous, rural, and STEM students.

Find out if you're eligible.

What you will study

You’ll study 18 core law topics and develop advanced skills in areas you choose to specialise in, including Corporate Law, Health Law and Ethics, Advanced and Comparative Intellectual Property, and more, with topics built by experienced international lawyers. You will compete in competitions and get access to prestigious internships.

Course handbook

Year 1

First year may include:

The Australian legal system
Contract
Torts
Legal theory and research
Dispute resolution
Legal innovation and problem solving
Property, equity and trusts
Principles of public international law

Year 2

Second year may include the following core topics and two additional option topics:

Constitutional law
Real property law
Criminal law
Administrative law
Civil procedure
Corporate law

Over the course of the degree two option topics are selected in second year and four option topics in third year, allowing you to specialise, including but not limited to:

Advanced and comparative intellectual property
Advanced and comparative competition law
Advanced and comparative technology regulation
Advanced corporate law
Family law
Employment law
Health law and ethics
International environmental law
International human rights
Law of the sea and space
Research projects (topic by agreement)

Year 3

Third year may include the following core topics and four additional option topics: 

Evidence
Ethics and regulation of the legal profession
Reforming social justice
Future practice skill

Over the course of the degree two option topics are selected in second year and four option topics in third year, allowing you to specialise, including but not limited to:

Advanced and comparative intellectual property
Advanced and comparative competition law
Advanced and comparative technology regulation
Advanced corporate law
Family law
Employment law
Health law and ethics
International environmental law
International human rights
Law of the sea and space
Research projects (topic by agreement)

Your career

The Juris Doctor meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in South Australia and all Australian jurisdictions, as well as in Singapore. Add law to your repertoire as a senior leader or enter the legal profession with this prestigious and flexible law degree.

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$255,000^*

Expected salary
$155,000^*

Expected salary
$150,000^*

Expected salary
$145,000^*

Expected salary
$95,000^*

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$255,000^*

Expected salary
$155,000^*

Expected salary
$150,000^*

Expected salary
$145,000^*

Expected salary
$95,000^*

Potential employers

Law firms
Corporations
Government agencies
Not-for-profit organisations
Consulting firms
Small-medium enterprises

Professional accreditations

LPEAC

The Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council

This course is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council in South Australia and is recognised in Australian states and territories.

CALD

The Council of Australian Law Deans

This course is compliant with the standards for Australian Law Schools adopted by the Council of Australian Law Deans and assessed by the Australian Law Schools Standards Committee (ALSSC).

The Institute

The Singapore Institute of Legal Education

In Singapore this course is recognised by the Legal Professional (Qualified Persons) Rules under the Legal Profession Act 1966. Application for admission in Singapore will require meeting the requirements of that law and the practical requirements and process administrated by the Singapore Institute of Legal Education.

Industry-relevant experience

Practical experience
Practical assessments

Gain practical skills to apply the law in a dynamic, interconnected, global and increasingly digital world.

Interactive, case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

This course has no mandatory placement requirements. Instead, students are provided with assessments and opportunities throughout the course to develop practical skills as part of their coursework in each topic.

Industry connections

In this course, you’ll gain insights grounded in real-world practice through Flinders’ strong partnerships with law firms, government agencies, and not-for-profit organisations. Your studies will emphasise the practical application of legal principles, giving you the skills and confidence to apply legal knowledge directly in your workplace or future career.

Flinders University is a future you can count on

Qualify to practise law in Australia and in Singapore with a university ranked in the top 2% globally and No. 2 in Australia in Law & Paralegal Studies for teaching quality*

Personalised support - including an exclusive Juris Doctor Mentor Network, ‘New in Law’ orientation program, and a LinkedIn group for ongoing connections.

Develop practical skills in specialisations of your choice and be able to participate in competitions and access prestigious internships.

Learn from experienced lawyers through interactive, case-based teaching.

3 qualifications in 1. Complete a Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma midway through the degree, helping provide opportunities for immediate career development.

Accredited by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council in South Australia and compliant with Australian Law Schools standard.

^{*THE World University Rankings 2024 as a percentage of the total number of universities in the world according to the International Association of Universities}

Get inspired

Discover more about Flinders University’s Juris Doctor course.

Kyron Johnson

Department of Premier and Cabinet, Tasmania

Megan Ellis

Assistant Director, Attorney-General's Department

Brett Maryniak

Juris Doctor student

The JD was the most practical university degree I have undertaken.

Flinders stood out as a university committed to innovation and technology.

As a result of the internship I built strong networks with the Australian Ambassador, Embassy staff and UN representatives.

The JD was the most practical university degree I have undertaken.

Flinders stood out as a university committed to innovation and technology.

As a result of the internship I built strong networks with the Australian Ambassador, Embassy staff and UN representatives.

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to industry.

Robert Chalmers

Senior Lecturer

See full profile

Robert draws on his diverse experience as a lawyer, educator, and commercial adviser to prepare students for real-world challenges. Specialising in intellectual property and technology, he explores the dynamic interplay between technological innovation, societal impacts, and regulatory frameworks.

Simone Daniells

Associate Lecturer

See full profile

Simone is a lawyer with over 13 years' experience, and integrates legal and business innovation into her teaching. As Dedicated Course Mentor for the Juris Doctor program, she fosters student success by blending practical expertise in law with collaborative problem-solving and design thinking approaches.

Professor Tania Leiman

Dean of Law

See full profile

Tania leads Flinders Law’s innovative undergraduate curriculum, focusing on legal education for emerging technologies, access to justice, and sustainability. An award-winning educator and researcher, she contributes to national initiatives on future mobility, legal tech, and regulatory frameworks, shaping the future of legal practice and education.

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in an area other than law, or
hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in law that does not make them eligible to be admitted to practise law in Australia.

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further 16 topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded a Juris Doctor.

6-month

Complete 4 topics to earn
Graduate Certificate in Laws

12-month

Complete 8 topics to earn
Graduate Diploma in Laws

3 years

Complete 24 topics to earn
Juris Doctor

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

What is a Juris Doctor in Australia?

It is a graduate-entry law degree that covers the required areas of knowledge for admission to practise law in Australia. It is a pathway into the legal profession for those who have an undergraduate degree from another discipline, or law degrees from overseas.

How is a Juris Doctor different from a standard law degree?

Both the Juris Doctor and the Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry satisfy the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia. The differences are: the Juris Doctor is designed for those who already have an undergraduate degree and is taught online, whereas the Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry is for those commencing their tertiary education and is taught on campus at Bedford Park or at the city campus.

I haven’t completed an undergraduate degree, but I’ve started one. Can my work be counted towards the Juris Doctor?

Possibly. Register your interest, add details about your studies to date and we'll get back to you.

What is Practical Legal Training?

If you want to practise law in Australia, Practical Legal Training (or PLT) is the next step to complete after graduating with a Juris Doctor of Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry. It is a requirement that helps you transition from your academic studies to real-life legal practice.

Is a Juris Doctor internationally recognised?

Yes, the Juris Doctor is a prestigious law qualification and is recognised internationally. If you intend to practise law in a country other than Australia you need to check the specific knowledge and admission requirements for that country, as most countries will require you to be familiar with their specific practices.

How to apply in 4 easy steps

Step 1

Choose your course

Select your preferred course.

Step 2

Requirements

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Step 3

Key dates

Confirm the key application and enrolment dates.

Step 4

Submit application

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Apply now via Direct Entry

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted directly with Flinders.

You can apply for up to three courses in order of preference in your application. More information is available in the Application Guide.

Flinders Online Application guide

I've applied - what happens next?

Normally, we will inform you of the outcome of your application within 3-5 working days after submission.

If further information is required, we will contact you via email with details on what is needed and how to provide it.

Are HELP Loans available?

Yes, government-supported HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loan area available to help eligible students pay for their higher education tuition fees.

HECS-HELP is for students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to cover their student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP is for eligible domestic fee-paying students to cover their full tuition fees.

Both loans are indexed to reflect changes in the cost of living but are otherwise interest free. HELP Loans must be repaid through the tax system once your income reaches a certain threshold, with payments increasing as your earnings rise.