Australian Law School: From Acceptance to Articling

15 April 2024

What’s it like to be a Canadian studying at an Australian law school?

What should you expect in law school? Will your degree be recognized in Canada? What do you need to know about articling?

We covered all of the above—and more—during our recent “From Law School Acceptance to Articling” webinar, which was kindly attended by two former OzTREKK students, Neel Sareen and Daniel Good, both of whom are pursing a career in law.

Meet the Speakers

Daniel Good, Griffith JD Student
Daniel Good is a current Griffith JD student, born and raised in Prince Edward Island. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Prince Edward Island with a business degree with a minor in philosophy. Throughout his undergraduate degree, he enjoyed the business law courses, which pushed him to secure a part-time position with a local firm.

“I am extremely thankful for the experience gained working with that firm; it reassured me that my interest in law was real,” he says.

After graduation, he began studying for the LSAT. While his score was considered “okay,” Daniel knew it was just below the acceptance level for the university he’d hoped to attend.

“That pushed me to take an LSAT course and prepare to write again. During the preparation period for my second LSAT attempt, I began looking into other options for universities and pathways to the legal profession, and that is when Australian universities and OzTREKK entered the picture.”

law student daniel headshot
Griffith Law School student Daniel Good

The idea of learning about Australian universities, admission process, the programs, pathways, etc., he says, seemed daunting but exciting.

“Thankfully, I had OzTREKK to help me throughout the entire process,” he says. “OzTREKK made it feel as though I had applied, was accepted, and packing to leave in a blink of an eye. They answered any question I may have had, and helped with applications for scholarships.”

Fast forward a year and half later, Daniel is living in Gold Coast, Queensland and studying at Griffith University Law School.

“I’m in year two of the accelerated law program at Griffith. I study both Australian and Canadian law, which is what brought to my attention to such a lovely country and university. I’m also working in student advocacy at the Student Guild and bartending at the Uni Bar. I hope to get my foot in the door of a local law firm, so I can begin learning the ropes of the profession here in Australia.

Daniel also mentions that he’s happy to connect with anyone who may have questions about the journey. Just reach out to law@oztrekk.com for Daniel’s info, and we’d be happy to pass it along!

Neel Sareen, Griffith JD Graduate
Neel Sareen is a Griffith Law School graduate, whose academic and professional journey showcases a strong commitment to the field of law, particularly in areas where societal structures intersect with legal systems.

Born and raised in Surrey, British Columbia, her educational foundation was laid at Simon Fraser University, where she majored in criminology and sociology.

Griffith law school graduate Neel Sareen heashot
Griffith Juris Doctor graduate Neel Sareen

During her undergraduate years, Neel actively engaged with the legal system by volunteering as a Court Runner for the Vancouver Downtown Community Courts. This hands-on experience equipped her with an in-depth knowledge of court processes and management. This exposure fueled her enthusiasm for litigation work, especially within a court system designed to address the needs of offenders grappling with health and social issues such as drug addiction, mental illness, and poverty.

Venturing beyond her local roots, Neel took her legal education to an international level by pursuing a Juris Doctor at Griffith University in the Gold Coast, Australia. Her academic excellence was recognized through the receipt of an International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship.

During her time at Griffith, she participated in the Bora Laskin Moot and demonstrated her legal prowess by winning the Client Interview competition presented by the Griffith Student Law Association. Furthermore, Neel showcased her leadership skills by assuming the role of president at the Griffith Canadian Law Students’ Association.

Her experiences both in Canada and abroad have undoubtedly shaped her into a well-rounded professional with a strong foundation in law and a passion for making a positive impact in the legal field.

What Else Did We Talk About During the Webinar?

Studying for NCAs and returning to Canada

  • Online exams
  • How long it took
  • What you can do while writing your exams
  • Ideas for networking

Finding an articling position

  • Job postings
  • Interviews
  • Referrals
  • Litigation or solicitation
  • Liked litigation and criminal law

Staying in Australia to do Practical Legal Training (PLT)

  • How to set up PLT
  • Working with local firms
  • Writing NCAs online

Tips for getting through law school successfully

  • Daniel and Neel offer their advice

Would you like to watch the full webinar? We covered everything you need to know about applying to an Australian law school and about the NCA assessment process after you graduate. Reach out to us at law@oztrekk.com and we’ll set you up!

Australian Law Schools for Canadians

Australia offers a variety of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Juris Doctor (JD) programs for Canadians. The main difference is that the LLB is offered at the undergraduate level and the JD is offered at the postgraduate level.

OzTREKK represents 12 Australian law schools, each of which provide a solid foundation for students planning to practice law in Canada (with the exception of Quebec).

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What would you like to do with your law degree? Contact OzTREKK at law@oztrekk.com or 1-866-698-7355 for more info!

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