Master of Environmental Law

The Master of Environmental Law at the University of Newcastle is designed to deliver advanced, specialist legal knowledge in environmental law, focusing on the legislative frameworks, regulatory compliance, environmental policy and the intersection of law and the environment in Australia. This master's program equips students with the skills to critically analyse environmental challenges, understand domestic and international environmental law, and engage in effective problem-solving within the evolving sustainability sector in Australia.

Australian master's degrees normally involve one or two years of full-time study, and at Newcastle this one-year program consists of a series of units of study contributing to total required credit points. Subjects explore areas such as environmental protection, climate change legislation, environmental planning and sustainable development law. Students can expect a combination of core and elective units that cover both theoretical concepts and the practical application of legal principles in environmental contexts. Where relevant, work-integrated learning or case study analysis is included, providing opportunities to engage with current real-world challenges facing the environmental law sector both locally and internationally.

The course is ideally suited to law graduates and legal professionals seeking to deepen their expertise or pivot their careers toward environmental regulation, public policy, and sustainability. Through research projects, critical analysis, and exposure to leading regional and national practices, students develop skills in legal research, policy formulation, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and statutory interpretation specific to the environmental sector. The University's strong ties to the Newcastle legal, environmental and business communities further support students’ professional development and networking opportunities.

International applicants should demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to an IELTS Academic overall score of 7.0–7.5, as outlined by the University. While studying, international students are eligible for up to 48 hours of work per fortnight, and graduates may be eligible to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Please confirm all admission and course details on the official University and CRICOS pages.

• Environmental lawyer or solicitor in private legal practice (environmental law specialists)
• Policy advisor or legal counsel in local, state, or federal government departments (such as environmental protection agencies or planning authorities)
• Legal and policy officer in environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or advocacy groups
• Environmental compliance and regulation advisor in the resource, energy or infrastructure industry
• Consultant in environmental risk, sustainability or regulatory affairs with Australian firms
• Corporate counsel with environment or sustainability portfolios in major Australian industries