Careers in Law and Justice

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Each year approximately 90% of QUT Faculty of Law graduates gain full-time jobs or go onto further studies within four months of graduation. Graduates find work in firms throughout Queensland, in government departments and other legal services.

In relation to careers in law, a number of graduates join large firms interstate or once admitted as solicitors, easily find work in the UK and USA. Alternatively, after gaining substantial experience, many graduates establish their own law firms.

In relation to a careers in justice, over the past 10 or more years, hundreds of graduates from the School of Justice Studies have established careers in the criminal justice system. They are employed in the fields of policing and investigations, criminology and corrections, justice policy, human rights organisations, welfare services and others.

Match your desired career with the right court

QUT's Studyfinder database enables you to match desired careers with the right course.

Below are descriptions of some of the careers that may be available to you once you have finished a degree in law or justice.

Double degree career options

QUT offers double degrees which increase your job options. You could study law in combination with Justice, Science, Information Technology, Media, Journalism, Creative Writing, or Business - Accountancy, Banking and Finance, Economics, Communication, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management or Marketing. A double degree gives you all the more job options to choose from.

Career Support

Careers Support is provided at QUT through the Careers & Employment office.

Graduate Destinations

After students leave university they are surveyed during that first year away to find out how their university studies have helped them in their careers.  The Graduate Destination Survey helps intending students and their advisors to construct a pathway toward their desired career.

Careers in Law

Barrister

A barrister is the person who presents cases in the court room. He or she is the one who liaises with the judge and interviews people on the stand. (In Australia, a lawyer prepares a case and the barrister presents it - unlike what we see on some TV programs). Bachelor of Laws graduates must complete the a bar practice course (operated through QUT in Queensland) and complete a period of pupillage assigned to two barristers. This is the career path to take if you aspire to be a judge.

Solicitors

There are many kinds of specialisations in the field of law - corporate, environmental, medico-legal, litigation (this involves one party attempting to sue another), public (governmental), native title, energy, biotechnolgy, estates, intellectual property, Internet law and many others. Some solicitors choose to become specialists in major sized firms and some choose to practice in a cross-section of areas in middle sized and smaller firms. Many graduates set up their own firms

There are two ways to become an admitted solicitor after you finish a Bachelor of Laws degree. One is to complete a practical legal training course. The Legal Practice Course at QUT is a fee-paying course run in full-time mode over 24 weeks or in part-time mode over one year. Graduates are trained in all the practical skills required to work as a solicitor and spend a period of time working in a firm at the end of the course. The second method of gaining solicitor's admission is to undertake an Articles of Clerkship with a law firm. You are employed and trained by the firm over a set period. If successful at the completion of training, you are "admitted" into the law society of your jurisdiction. In Queensland, it is the Queensland Law Society

Community Legal Services

Solicitors may choose to work for Legal Aid or in associations which provide legal advice in areas like rental, copyright, human rights, animal rights or the Arts.

In-house Council

Larger companies, some sections of government and some community organisations have an on-going need for legal expertise, so they set up their own legal departments in-house.

Government Policy Officer

These professionals research, write and assist in directing the implementation of important activities which government departments carry out, eg policies in family, health, drugs, domestic violence, economic development, environment, police and justice, crime, sport, the arts and many others

Careers in Justice

Criminologist

Governments and organisations like the Australian Institute of Criminology employ criminologists to study "crime" and crime control. Criminologists are interested in the operation of the criminal justice system through the police, courts and formal agencies of state and play a part in the implementation and review of crime reduction and prevention measures at national, regional and local levels. Criminologists are also interested in how 'crime' is thought about and the role that governments play in seeking its control and regulation.

Customs Officer

Ensuring illegal materials and unwanted diseases do not enter the country is a big job. Customs Officers work to ensure no infectious diseases enter the country and that no illegal items are imported or illegally smuggled. Restricted trading items are also monitored.

Community Corrections Officer

These officers check that criminal offenders carry out the rulings set down by the courts. This could be the monitoring of parole cases, supervising of community service sentences and seeing offenders enter and remain in rehabilitation programs.

State Police Officer

Police officers carry out duties of various complexity from policing of traffic to crime prevention programs to less frequent but vital security activities like attending bank robberies or stakeouts. Their role is a "people-oriented" one whether it be providing advice to victims of crime or intervening in disputes between people.

Government Policy Officer

These professionals research, write and assist in directing the implementation of important activities which government departments carry out, eg. policies in family, health, drugs, domestic violence, economic development, environment, police and justice, crime, social justice, equity, youth indigenous affairs and many others.

Advocacy and Community Agency Officer

These people represent groups of people in need and may assist these people individually. Areas include: homeless youth and adults, women, people with disability, and immigrants. They also contribute to government policy decision making.

Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination professional

These works help resolve complaints of discrimination, advocate human rights protection and contribute to education and information strategies to enhance individuals' rights and freedoms. A number of government based and community organisations exist to help overcome discrimination in society.

Prisons

The prison system offers a variety of professional roles including prison officer, welfare officer, counsellor, and correctional officer.

Community Legal Services

Justice graduates work alongside other legal professionals in assisting people who have financial difficulty and cannot afford legal assistance.

Intelligence Officer

These professionals most often hold postgraduate qualifications. They gather information to assist in combating crime and for the purposes of national defence.