How to become a paralegal

You don’t need to become a lawyer to enjoy the challenges and rewards of helping people through the legal system. 

If you're interested in law, enjoy research, assisting clients and staying organised, a career as a paralegal might suit you. 

This guide will walk you through what a paralegal role entails. It covers the skills required, study options and how to start building a legal career before qualifying as a lawyer.

What does a paralegal do?

Paralegals assist solicitors, lawyers and barristers with legal research, drafting documents, preparing briefs, organising case files and contacting clients. They are trained in law but can’t provide legal advice and must work under a registered lawyer.

For example, in family law, the paralegal might arrange mediation between the disputing parties and organise psychological evaluations if required.

In criminal law, they could do the research, interview clients, collect evidence and investigate precedents to assist the lawyer. Or in corporate law, they might draft legal documents, including subpoenas and contracts, and file documents with the courts.

Celina Chin, a UNSW graduate now working as a paralegal, reflects on the average day in her job:

“Throughout the day, my tasks will range from attending meetings to discuss updates on matters, research activities and drafting emails and advices. There are also some administrative tasks and although they may seem routine, it is helpful in building your understanding of how matters are managed in practice.”

“Working in-house has exposed me to how the various areas of law operate in a commercial environment where legal issues are considered alongside reputational, operational and strategic factors. As a paralegal, you begin to understand not just what the law says but how it actually operates in a real environment.”

The skills needed to be a paralegal

Paralegals work both behind the scenes and directly with clients and others connected to cases. The qualities of a good paralegal include strong interpersonal skills and job-specific abilities. Many of the technical skills will develop naturally through your study, part-time work and early legal experience.

How do you become a paralegal?

While some firms hire paralegals with on-the-job training, many employers prefer candidates who are studying law or have completed legal support qualifications. Students studying a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor often work as paralegals during their degree or pursue vocational qualifications in legal services as an alternative pathway.

Undergraduate paralegal pathway

1. Enrol in a law degree at UNSW or a related program.
2. Apply for entry-level legal assistant or paralegal roles during your studies.
3. Build experience in legal research, drafting and case preparation. 
4. Develop strong organisational and communication skills through practical work. 
5. Grow your legal knowledge and progress to more complex paralegal tasks as your studies progress.

Postgraduate or career-change paralegal pathway

1. Complete an undergraduate degree in any field. 
2. Enrol in a graduate law degree such as the UNSW Juris Doctor or pursue a legal support qualification. 
3. Gain experience in administrative or legal support roles to learn the basics of legal practice. 
4. Transition into a paralegal role as your legal knowledge and skills strengthen. 
5. Continue building industry experience that may lead to further study or legal careers.

According to Celina, her decision to study law at UNSW was driven by a desire for a new challenge.

“I decided to pursue law because I wanted to study a degree that would challenge me into thinking outside of the box. I was really drawn to UNSW because of the interactive seminar style of classes, which emphasised practical application of legal concepts and collaborative discussions with other students. That environment exposed me to a wide range of perspectives and different ways of thinking.”

Mapping your career as a paralegal

Your career as a paralegal could take many paths. You may choose to specialise in a specific area of law such as criminal law, family law, corporate law, property, commercial litigation, intellectual property or community legal work. This could be in either public or private practice. 

Alternatively, you could focus on becoming a paralegal and advancing to law practice manager. Other opportunities include working as a law librarian or doing extra study to become a conveyancer. 

Many paralegals see the role as a stepping stone to becoming solicitors or barristers.

Launch your law career at UNSW

UNSW Law & Justice is a leading law school, ranked #1 in Australia and #12 globally for law and legal studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). We offer a number of programs to launch your legal career.