Juris Doctor - L6005
Professional entry master's degree
Do you want a career in the law?
No matter your professional or educational background, a Juris Doctor (JD) can help you get there. As one of Australia's leading law schools, Monash recognises the specific needs of JD degree students and helps you expand your skills and knowledge in line with Australian law requirements.
All Juris Doctor classes are taught at the city-based Monash Law Chambers located in the heart of Melbourne's legal precinct, with small class sizes and innovative teaching methods to foster interactive, in-depth learning.
Beyond the classroom, the Monash Law Clinical Guarantee provides JD students with the opportunity to work in one of our community legal centres, mentored by experienced practitioners. You will gain first-hand legal knowledge and provide an invaluable service to the community while earning credit towards your degree.
This three-year full-time (six-year part-time) graduate entry JD degree provides high-quality, graduate-level education in the theory and practice of law. Your studies will not only cover the knowledge and technical skills expected of legal practitioners, but also the ethical implications of legal practice.
Small, seminar-style classes allow for challenging yet stimulating discussions between students from diverse disciplines and experiences. With evening classes and part-time study options, the flexible nature of the Monash JD allows you to tailor your workload to suit your professional and personal commitments.
There are three intakes per year: January, May and August.
At a glance
Course Details
Location |
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Duration |
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Start date |
Trimester 1/ Summer (January), Trimester 2/Winter (April), Trimester 3/Spring (August) |
Qualification |
Juris Doctor |
The Monash Juris Doctor degree offers extraordinary and unique opportunities that you’ll carry with you throughout your career. As a JD student, you will be joining a world-class law school with a proud history and a demonstrated commitment to provide the best experiential legal education in Australia.
Located in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct, our professional city premises for JD and masters students are in close proximity to major courts, law firms and barristers’ chambers.
What is a Juris Doctor?
A Juris Doctor or JD is a graduate entry law degree for non-law graduates that equips you with the required skills and knowledge needed to practice law in Australia.
Monash’s Juris Doctor is recognised by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) as satisfying the academic requirements for admission to practice in Victoria. No law degree enables you to practise law immediately. You must complete further training Practical Legal Training (PLT) or supervised legal training by the Supreme Court of Victoria and obtain a practising certificate.
JD Careers
Monash Juris Doctor graduates experience high rates of employment with the diverse skills and knowledge needed to pursue a wide range of careers. Interdisciplinary studies, in-depth research, practical application and clinical placement will help you seamlessly transition into the workplace.
You may choose to pursue a career as a lawyer or barrister, pursue in-house legal counsel, or explore other law-related fields. There are numerous career opportunities available in a wide range of sectors including law, government, corporate business, health/medicine and NGOs.
Learn more about JD career outcomes.
Is a Juris Doctor worth it in Australia?
Yes! If you’re interested in a career in or related to law, a Juris Doctor is most definitely worth it.
In Australia, a Juris Doctor is one of two recognised degrees necessary to practice law. It’s not just beneficial but essential for postgraduate students from non-law backgrounds looking to enter the field.
As a graduate entry professional law degree, a JD is a valuable resource – and as one of Australia’s top law schools, Monash is a great place to start. Whether you’re seeking a professional law career or looking to apply your legal knowledge across another discipline, our Juris Doctor degree will lay the necessary foundation and bolster your career outcomes.
Apply for a JD
Learn more about how to apply for a JD at Monash.
"Studying the Monash JD has provided me with a strong foundation in legal principles and practices. It’s also improved my critical thinking, research and analytical skills which are essential skills for lawyers. My advice to anyone considering the Monash JD is to give it a go! You’ll be surprised by the number of doors that a Monash JD can open." Lovedeep
Entry Requirements
You need to satisfy the following entrance requirements to be considered for entry to this course.
Minimum Entry Requirements (Domestic students)
Qualifications
An Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) with at least credit (60%) average, or
An Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) with three years professional work experience and a personal statement, or
An equivalent qualification and experience approved by the faculty.
Applicants who have not completed any formal study in the last eight years are required to submit a current curriculum vitae and a completed Monash JD personal statement.
Further details:
Additional information and advice to applicants can be found on the Juris Doctor webpage.
English requirements
Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.
University entrance requirements
Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.
Extra Requirements
Applicants will be assessed on their entire academic record.
Applicants who have not completed any formal study in the last eight years are required to submit a current curriculum vitae and a completed Monash JD personal statement.
The personal statement may include your reasons for wanting to study law, why you want to study at Monash Law School, any voluntary work or relevant work experience, any applicable achievements and other relevant aspects that you feel will improve your application.
Monash Law’s Juris Doctor (JD) is designed to equip you with basic legal knowledge and skills required for admission to practice law, plus the opportunity to explore more specialised areas of law. The foundational studies are delivered through three broad themes: legal methodology and legal practice; public law; and private law. Meanwhile, elective units of your choice will cover specialised knowledge and advanced skills.
Making the application
Future students
Trimester 1 (January)
Apply directly to Monash using course code L6005
Trimester 2 (May)
Apply directly to Monash using course code L6005
Trimester 3 (August)
Apply directly to Monash using course code L6005
Self assess for credit eligibility
Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page
Application steps
- Submit an online application.
- Provide original or original certified supporting documentation.
Application commencement periods are as follows:
- Trimester 1, January intake: "Summer Semester"
- Trimester 2, May intake: "Winter Semester"
- Trimester 3, August intake: "Spring Semester (July-October start, varies by course)"
Supporting documentation (Domestic Students)
Applicants must provide the following as original, certified copies or scanned copies of documents to support their application:
- Academic transcripts for all tertiary studies undertaken, including any incomplete studies and any studies for which you have been granted credit in your completed degree
- Proof of citizenship or residency
- Proof of English language proficiency
Academic transcripts for any studies undertaken at Monash University are not required, however the tertiary information you enter in your online application must detail your studies at Monash University. Applicants who have not completed any formal study within the last eight years are also required to submit:
- A current curriculum vitae
- A personal statement
The personal statement may include:
- Reasons for wishing to study law;
- Why you would like to study at Monash Law School;
- Details of any voluntary work or relevant work experience, and/or
- Achievements and other relevant information.
The personal statement should be no longer than one A4 page. If any documentation is in a language other than English, an official certified translation must be provided.
Providing certified documentation
The Faculty of Law will be providing a documentation verification service on the Orientation Day for each trimester. You can bring either original or certified documentation directly to the Monash Law City Campus at 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC, 3000. Please use this coversheet when submitting documentation. Alternatively, you may submit certified documentation along with this coversheet to the following address:
Monash University
Central Admissions - Monash Connect
Clayton Campus
21 Chancellors Walk
Campus Centre
Monash University VIC 3800
Australia
Please note: the Faculty of Law will verify your results with the issuing institution. You may be required to present original documents to Monash University during the application process or while you are enrolled at Monash University. If the documents on which an offer was based are found at any time to be incomplete or fraudulent, you will face serious penalties, including your enrolment in the course being withdrawn.
Certified documents and translations
For information on getting documents certified, see: Certifying documents (for domestic and international student applications).
Fees
Fees are subject to change annually.
Full fee
Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year. The fees for 2025 are:
A$46,100
Fee assistance
As a full fee-paying student, you may be eligible to apply for the optional FEE-HELP to assist you to pay all or part of your tuition fees.
Fee information specific to this course
Domestic students in this course may apply for Austudy payments from Centrelink / the Department of Human Services. See the Austudy site for details.
*Additional eligibility criteria apply.
Scholarships
We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.
Other costs and fees
For information on other study costs and fees, see other study costs.