How to become a human rights lawyer

Uncover the path from law student to a career in human rights.

Are you passionate about protecting, defending and advancing human rights?

If you are looking to make a meaningful impact through your study or work, the field of human rights law may be the career path you've been searching for – but where to begin?

Human rights law can have a profoundly positive impact on people’s lives. It’s a profession that takes dedication and tenacity, and looks to shape policy for a more just future. Before you can challenge laws, influence policy change and seek justice for victims of human rights violations, you'll need to develop an understanding of complexities of human rights law.

In this guide, we'll look at the steps you can take to establish a rewarding career as a human rights lawyer.

The role of a human rights lawyer

A career in human rights law is centred around defending, protecting and advancing people's fundamental rights. These rights can include safety, freedom of speech or religion, access to education, healthcare and an adequate standard of living.

Human rights lawyers can work in a reactive or proactive capacity. For example, when an individual or group's rights are violated, a human rights lawyer may step in to defend them and seek justice against the perpetrator. Other human rights lawyers proactively seek to change policy and legislation to improve the outcomes of disadvantaged groups.

Whichever field or capacity they operate in, human rights lawyers must have critical and analytical thinking skills and be able to argue effectively to achieve a positive outcome for their clients. Communication and negotiation skills are also hallmarks of a great human rights lawyer. However, the most crucial skill to have is a strong sense of resilience.

Study Law at UNSW
Complete your Practical Legal Training
Gain expertise in human rights law

Step 1: Study law at UNSW

A successful law career begins with a versatile degree that will lead to legal practice. At UNSW, students can undertake an undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD) degree, to gain the foundations of legal practice and undertake electives in a range of specialist areas, including Human Rights.

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Undergraduate double degree
5-6.7 years of full-time study
Suitable for high-school leavers and those without previous tertiary study
21 double degree combinations to choose from

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Juris Doctor (JD)

Postgraduate degree
3 years of full-time study (part-time available)
Suitable for those with an undergraduate degree in a non-law discipline or international students with a law degree from an overseas institution

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At UNSW, we offer a range of internship opportunities so you can transform what you learn in the classroom into real-life practice, and gain course credit too! We can help to organise your internship at our own Australian Human Rights Institute or the Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, or you can set up your own internship with an approved organisation in Australia or overseas.

Step 2: Complete your Practical Legal Training (PLT)

To practice law in Australia, the Legal Admissions Board in each state and territory requires graduates to complete Practical Legal Training Program (PLT) under the supervision of a practising lawyer.

At UNSW, students can complete PLT through the Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice (GDLPP), which combines:

Coursework – a five-day immersive workshop + 19 weeks of online coursework
Work Experience (completed as two 20-day blocks); or
Work Experience (one 20 day block) + Practicum

Once you’ve completed your PLT, you can apply to the Supreme Court to be admitted to practice.

Step 3: Develop your expertise in human rights law

Now, it’s time to take your expertise to the next level by taking a deep dive into human rights law. Gain specialised knowledge of international human rights law theory and doctrine, and enhance your legal problem-solving and critical reflection skills. Undertake scholarly research on any issue of international human rights law of your choosing, and take your studies abroad with optional overseas electives.

Master of Laws (LLM), Human Rights Law & Policy

Masters degree
1 year of full-time study (part-time available)
Jet-off to New York for an overseas elective. Through Human Rights Law in Practice you’ll learn from leading international human rights lawyers and see the UN in action. Other destinations for overseas electives include South America and India.
This program is open to law and non-law graduates with a Bachelor of Laws degree, Juris Doctor degree, or equivalent qualification from overseas or recognised professional experience.

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What is a career in human rights law like?

As a diverse and constantly evolving field, career paths within the human rights profession are vast. In both private practice and the public sector, you may represent disadvantaged groups or individuals who have experienced human rights violations. At a government level, you may work to shape legislation and challenge existing laws to advance the rights of vulnerable populations.

Professional opportunities in the field of human rights law include:

Government policy advisor
Legal officer in a human rights institution
Human rights advisor in the United Nations, UNICEF or UN Women
Advisor or practitioner in international courts and tribunals
Human rights officer in an NGO, such as Amnesty or Oxfam

Tip: UNSW Law & Justice offers an exclusive in-house career service dedicated to helping students maximise their job prospects upon graduation. Find out more

Studying Human Rights Law & Policy at UNSW

Ranked 12th in the world and 1st in Sydney in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, UNSW Law & Justice provides a launchpad for students seeking a career in human rights law. Striking the ideal balance between theory and practice, Human Rights Law & Policy is a one-year full-time course that allows you to specialise your studies in the Master of Laws.

You'll build specialised knowledge of international human rights law and the policy context it operates in, as well as enhanced practical skills, including legal problem-solving and analysis of human rights documentation.

Develop professional skills and confidence through a range of internships to compliment the theory of your program with either the UNSW's Australian Human Rights Institute and the Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law. Here, you'll gain expertise on the impact and limitations of human rights law on a local and global scale, with focus areas including food security, gender justice, children's rights and the rights of refugees and other displaced people.

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FAQ's

Becoming a human rights lawyer requires years of dedication and a genuine, lasting interest in making a positive impact. There is no singular pathway to becoming a human rights lawyer – many people break into the profession by volunteering with human rights organisations.

However, in most cases, you will need a law degree (LLB or JD) as a foundation. This typically takes between 5-6 years of full-time study, depending on your previous professional and academic experience. Further specialisation in the field of human rights law through a Master's degree is often required to fully understand the area you're stepping into.
Salaries can vary significantly between the private and public sectors. While there is limited salary data available for human rights lawyers specifically, the base salary for legal officers and policy advisors begins around $100K p.a. and steadily increases based on experience. However, many human rights lawyers choose to take on significant pro bono work for their clients without compensation. (Data Source: Salary Expert).
A career in human rights law opens up numerous opportunities to practice overseas. Roles within international organisations can involve secondments in foreign countries, where you can better understand the varying context of human rights law between nations.

UNSW's Master of Laws equips you with the ability to apply your skills on a global level. But you don't need to wait until you graduate to gain international experience. During your studies, you can participate in the Global Student Fellowship Program and work alongside a leading international development or human rights-based organisation.

Ready to make your mark in the field of human rights law?

Join a diverse community of students, academics and practitioners and leverage UNSW's strong industry partnerships to build a rewarding career in your chosen field of law.

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