Finding a place in law

Studying law can seem like a distant dream. Yet with the right supports in place, those dreams can become a reality.

When Phoenix Briscoe, a Kuku Yalanji student, finished Year 12 in Cairns, she had offers to study law from several universities.

Choosing where to study law meant moving hundreds of kilometres from home, and it wasn't a decision she took lightly. The turning point came when she attended the UNSW Indigenous Pre-Law Program.

"I had a couple of acceptances into other universities," Phoenix said, "but doing the Pre-Law Program made the decision easier for me to move down to Sydney. After Pre-Law, it just felt like I had a lot more community than I did at other universities."

Today, Phoenix is studying a Bachelor of Arts/Laws, majoring in Indigenous Studies and Environmental Humanities.

Developed by UNSW Law & Justice, the three-week residential program is designed for prospective undergraduate law students. Rather than relying on an ATAR, the program assesses students through a range of academic activities while introducing them to study of law.

"The UNSW Indigenous Pre-Law Program is much more than a pathway into law," says Charmaine Mumbulla, Director of Indigenous Legal Education at UNSW Law & Justice. 

"It's a place where students build confidence, develop lifelong friendships and build connections within the legal profession."

For many students, the greatest impact of the program isn't just the academic preparation, it's the relationships they build.

"My favourite part of Pre-Law was meeting all the students and having that sense of community," said Phoenix.

Over three weeks students live on campus, work together in classes and experience university life before the academic year begins. Along the way, they build friendships and connections that continue throughout their studies. 

Wiradjuri student, Kayori Trainor, grew up in Forbes and is now studying a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology at UNSW.

For Kayori, the program provided much more than an entry pathway.

"The Pre-Law Program got me into my top university preference, where I'm studying my dream degree," she says. "It has been a really great experience that has had a huge impact on my education and learning."

Coming from regional NSW, Kayori says the opportunity to spend time in Sydney before starting university made an enormous difference.

"If you're coming from a small town, you might not know how public transport works,  where the campus is or where certain things are," she says. "It's a really good way to immerse yourself in city life before you fully commit to living here."

For students relocating from regional and remote communities, these practical supports and experiences can make the transition to university significantly less daunting.

Throughout the program, students develop academic skills while exploring the many career opportunities available through a law degree. They attend workshops, build legal research and writing skills and visit organisations such as the NSW Bar Association and Gilbert +Tobin to gain first-hand insights into the legal profession. 

For Kayori, these experiences stood out: "I think the off-campus activities were the biggest highlights of the program."

Students also receive support from the Indigenous Legal Education team, current law students, alumni and the Nura Gili Centre.

"I felt very supported," Kayori says. "They were always there to help us and it made the whole experience a lot better."

Even after receiving an early university offer through the Gateway Admission Pathway, Kayori says the program remained invaluable.

"It's a good way to get to know the support systems at university that will help you with literally anything you need."

For Phoenix, the advice to future students is simple: "Apply for it and see how you go! It's a great opportunity."

Kayori agrees. "Just do it. Pre-Law introduces you to the support systems at university and to some of the courses you'll study, which is really, really helpful once you start your degree. I have made such close friends through this experience, and the support that we receive throughout first year of law is amazing."

The 2026 Indigenous Pre-Law Program will be running from November 15 to December 4, 2026, with applications closing on Friday, October 9, 2026. To learn more about the UNSW Indigenous Pre-Law Program, please reach out to Charmaine Mumbulla, Director of Indigenous Legal Education at c.mumbulla@unsw.edu.au.  

This article was first published in Koori Mail.