Law at Macquarie, offered as a standalone LLB or combined with Commerce, International Studies, or Economics, is one of the university's more selective programs, sitting well above the moderate entry bar Macquarie applies to Business and Actuarial Studies. It's also one of the handful of Macquarie programs with a materially higher English-proficiency requirement.
This article covers the entry requirements for Law specifically, cost, admission requirements, the elevated IELTS requirement, and career outcomes.
Entry Requirements
Macquarie does not publish an acceptance rate for Law specifically; like the rest of the university, entry standards are set per-course. The published minimum ATAR for the Bachelor of Laws is 90, meaningfully higher than Macquarie's general undergraduate programs, reflecting Law's status as one of the university's professional-entry degrees alongside Medicine-adjacent disciplines.
International applicants are assessed on equivalent academic qualifications rather than ATAR directly, but the relative difficulty carries over: Law is one of the hardest Macquarie programs to enter on paper, regardless of which country's secondary system you're coming from.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Law is priced above Macquarie's general undergraduate rate, consistent with the university's higher pricing for professional-entry degrees.
| Programme | 2026 international fee |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Laws (standalone, 4 years) | ~AUD $50,800/year |
| Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (5-year dual degree) | AUD $47,800/year |
For the Australian government's minimum living-cost benchmark and Macquarie's general scholarship information, see the Macquarie guide.
Admission Requirements
- A recognized senior secondary school qualification or university entrance examination, meeting Law's ATAR 90 equivalent (or an approved alternative pathway)
- Alternatively: a recognized university Foundation course, a 2-3 year Diploma/Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree, or at least one year of completed university study
- An IELTS Academic score of 7.0 overall, with minimum sub-scores of 6.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, or an equivalent (see below)
- Certified transcripts, with official English translations where originals are not in English
- Completed international application through Macquarie's official application channel
How to Get Into Macquarie's Law Programme
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Treat ATAR 90 (or your country's equivalent) as a genuinely higher bar than Macquarie's other programs. Don't assume the entry standard you'd need for Business or Science applies here; Law is one of Macquarie's most selective undergraduate degrees.
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Clear the IELTS 7.0 (sub-scores 6.5) bar with real margin. Law is one of the most reading- and writing-intensive undergraduate subjects, with heavy case-law analysis, so a comfortable margin above the minimum matters more here than in most other courses.
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Consider a combined degree if it fits your goals. The Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws runs over 5 years and carries a slightly lower annual fee than the standalone LLB, worth weighing if you're also interested in a business credential.
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Get transcripts certified and translated early, since document verification delays are a common bottleneck in Australian international admissions.
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Apply through Macquarie's official international application channel directly, since intakes (February and July) and required documents are managed centrally.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Bachelor of Laws: an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 overall, with minimum sub-scores of 6.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. TOEFL iBT sits at roughly 94, and PTE Academic at roughly 65+. This is materially higher than Macquarie's standard threshold of IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 79) that applies to most other undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
For the full waiver list and Macquarie's Duolingo policy, see the Macquarie guide.
Career Outcomes and Subclass 485 Relevance
Macquarie does not publish an official, university-wide graduate employment rate; third-party aggregator figures vary, so treat any single number with caution. Law graduates at Macquarie, like at any Australian law school, need to complete Practical Legal Training after their degree before admission as a lawyer in Australia, a separate professional step from university graduation.
Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate visa): graduates of eligible Macquarie degrees, including Law, can apply for Australia's Temporary Graduate visa after completing a CRICOS-registered qualification and meeting the required English level. Under the July 1, 2024 reforms, the Post-Higher Education Work stream generally grants up to 2 years for a bachelor's degree, with a maximum applicant age that dropped from 50 to 35 (with some exceptions). Always verify current subclass 485 eligibility and duration on the Department of Home Affairs' official website before relying on it.
FAQ
What ATAR do I need for Macquarie's LLB? A minimum of 90, meaningfully higher than Macquarie's general undergraduate programs.
What IELTS score do I need? 7.0 overall, with minimum sub-scores of 6.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, higher than Macquarie's standard 6.5 threshold.
How much does the LLB cost? Approximately AUD $50,800/year for the standalone 4-year LLB; AUD $47,800/year for the 5-year Commerce/Law dual degree.
Can I practice as a lawyer in Australia right after graduating? Only after completing Practical Legal Training and gaining admission, separate steps from your degree.
Can I stay in Australia after graduating with an LLB? Yes, via the subclass 485 visa's Post-Higher Education Work stream, generally up to 2 years for a bachelor's degree, subject to current Department of Home Affairs rules.