Top law schools in Australia 2026
| Australia Law Rank 2026 | Global Law Rank 2026 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
| 1 | 8 | University of Melbourne | 80.9 | 85.1 | 90.2 | 64 | 89.3 | 78.6 |
| 2 | 29 | UNSW Sydney | 70.8 | 70.3 | 73.5 | 65 | 69 | 80.1 |
| 3 | 39 | Australian National University | 66.2 | 54.9 | 77.1 | 62.4 | 66.4 | 81.1 |
| 4 | =46 | The University of Sydney | 61.6 | 59.1 | 56.4 | 66.7 | 65.9 | 71.9 |
| 5 | =56 | Monash University | 57 | 41.5 | 55 | 69.5 | 70.9 | 78.3 |
| 6 | 62 | Queensland University of Technology | 56.5 | 41.8 | 49.5 | 78.8 | 72.6 | 62.7 |
| 7 | =89 | University of Technology Sydney | 50.5 | 41.4 | 38.9 | 70.4 | 52.7 | 64.6 |
| 8 | 101–125 | The University of Queensland | 47.3–49.4 | 29.6 | 47.9 | 67.1 | 44.4 | 77.6 |
| =9 | 126–150 | Adelaide University | 44.4–47.1 | 29.2 | 34.2 | 66.1 | 95.9 | 63.3 |
| =9 | 126–150 | Griffith University | 44.4–47.1 | 25.8 | 41.6 | 67.2 | 72.5 | 74.5 |
| =9 | 126–150 | University of Wollongong | 44.4–47.1 | 27.4 | 34.9 | 68.6 | 85.1 | 76 |
| =12 | 151–175 | La Trobe University | 42.5–44.3 | 27.2 | 29.6 | 72.1 | 27.2 | 75.9 |
| =12 | 151–175 | Macquarie University | 42.5–44.3 | 29.3 | 30.1 | 67.6 | 57.1 | 70.6 |
| =12 | 151–175 | University of Tasmania | 42.5–44.3 | 26.5 | 34.1 | 66.8 | 54 | 67.2 |
| =15 | 176–200 | Curtin University | 40.6–42.4 | 30.5 | 17.7 | 73.8 | 68.3 | 67.4 |
| =15 | 176–200 | Deakin University | 40.6–42.4 | 25.1 | 29.5 | 69.7 | 55.7 | 58.1 |
| =17 | 201–250 | Flinders University | 37.7–40.5 | 19.9 | 23.8 | 67.5 | 31.8 | 83.3 |
| =17 | 201–250 | Swinburne University of Technology | 37.7–40.5 | 16.3 | 27.8 | 67.5 | 77.9 | 71.3 |
| =19 | 251–300 | The University of Western Australia | 34.7–37.6 | 20.8 | 24.7 | 57.2 | 35.6 | 75.3 |
| =19 | 251–300 | University of Newcastle | 34.7–37.6 | 15 | 21.7 | 65.1 | 21.4 | 75.5 |
| =19 | 251–300 | Western Sydney University | 34.7–37.6 | 23.3 | 20.6 | 61 | 42.7 | 70.9 |
Key insights into the best law schools in Australia
• The University of Melbourne retains first place for the best university for law in Australia, maintaining its strong performance across all ranking criteria.
• Queensland University of Technology drops one place to sixth, moving outside the top five from last year.
• The University of Queensland dropped from to eighth place in 2026 from seventh last year.
• Western Sydney University, the University of Newcastle and The University of Western Australia take joint 19th place, with lower scores in teaching and research environment.
Choosing the right university in Australia for law
Students who study law at an Australian university will graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, which takes four years to complete. A law degree obtained in Australia may be recognised in other countries, depending on where graduates go on to practise. Further tests or qualifications may be required to specialise.
A law degree is versatile because it provides students with transferrable skills than can be applied to a range of careers. Many law graduates go on to practise law as barristers and solicitors but it is just as common for law graduates to pursue a non-legal career in the fields of business, journalism or technology, for example.
Selecting the best law school in Australia depends on factors such as teaching quality, research strength and industry connections. The Times Higher Education rankings assess universities based on:
• Research environment: the volume and reputation of research produced.
• Teaching quality: academic standards and student satisfaction.
• Research quality: influence and impact of published work.
• Industry collaboration: links with legal firms and employers.
• International outlook: global engagement and diversity.
These factors ensure students make an informed decision about where to pursue their law degree. Explore the full rankings to find the right university for your career goals.
The table for the best law schools in Australia was derived from data collected from the THE World University Rankings by Subject: Law. For further insight and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page.
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