Law students have a lot to celebrate with the release of new Australian Government statistics forecasting positive job growth for the legal profession.
The statistics point to improved employment prospects for solicitors and barristers up to November 2019.
Employment for solicitors is expected to grow “very strongly” after a moderate rise in the past five years and a strong overall rise in the past ten. In November 2014, there were 56,900 solicitors in Australia – this figure is expected to rise to 68,900.
Employment for barristers is also set to grow moderately after a very strong rise in the past five and ten years. In November 2014, there were 11,100 barristers in Australia, with an expected rise to 12,300 by 2019.
Job openings will be abundant for future solicitors. The number of openings up to November 2019 is expected to be above average – between 25,001 and 50,000.
Unemployment for both occupations is below average, while their weekly earnings sit above the national average for all occupations.
Head of School and Dean of Law, Professor Sarah Derrington, said the forecast is reassuring for both current law students and graduates.
“Employment is always at the forefront of our students’ minds, so it’s encouraging that their hard work will be rewarded after graduation,” she said.
“I think these numbers illustrate the value of a high-quality law degree.
“Here at UQ, our deliberately small cohort, innovative programs and strong links with industry make our students’ employment prospects look bigger and brighter than ever.”
The job outlook reports for solicitors and barristers are now available online.
