How to become a Barrister

Pleads cases before civil, criminal and industrial courts and other tribunals.

Main tasks

• Receives briefs and verbal instructions concerning cases from solicitors, other specialist legal professionals, and clients
• Provides advice and written opinions on points of law
• Confers with clients and witnesses in preparation for court proceedings
• Draws up pleadings, affidavits and other court documents
• Researches statutes and previous court decisions relevant to cases
• Outlines the facts to the court, calls and questions witnesses, and makes addresses to the court to argue a client's case
• May draw up or settle documents

Ways in

• University: Law & Justice degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $181,740 a year
• About 8,700 people work in this job group now, and about 10,500 are projected by 2035. (+20.9%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Barrister?

Ways in include: Law & Justice degrees.

How much does a Barrister earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $181,740 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Barrister a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 21% by 2035, from about 8,700 to about 10,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Barrister?

Usually. 91% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Barrister?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04