Ahead of the 30 Under 30 Awards 2026, Lawyers Weekly can reveal which law schools have defined the decade to date in producing and shaping Australia’s next wave of legal trailblazers.
Australia’s top law schools shaping this decade’s standout young lawyers have now been revealed, with Lawyers Weekly taking an in-depth look at the 10 universities most consistently represented at its annual 30 Under 30 Awards.
For over a decade, Lawyers Weekly has shone a light on the rising stars aged 30 and under who have worked hard to establish their careers and demonstrated a passion for the law and dedication to propelling the industry forward.
Each university’s position in the rankings is shaped by the success of its graduates, with results driven by how many young lawyers from those institutions were named finalists in the 30 Under 30 Awards between 2020 and 2026.
The findings reveal a highly competitive landscape, blending long-established legal powerhouses with practice-focused institutions that are redefining how the next generation of lawyers is trained.
This year’s winners will be unveiled at a glamorous black-tie gala on Thursday, 12 March 2026, at The Star, Sydney. Secure your tickets now and be part of the celebration.
10. University of Wollongong, Wollongong
Kicking off the top 10 is the University of Wollongong, recognised over the past few years for its consistent presence among the decade’s top universities as reflected in the 30 Under 30 finalists.
Across this decade, the university has averaged 12.8 finalists per year, with its highest representation of 16 finalists in 2022 and its lowest at nine finalists in 2025.
9. University of Melbourne, Melbourne
Coming in at ninth place is the University of Melbourne, an institution that made an early impact on young lawyer representation at the 30 Under 30 Awards with a standout cohort of finalists.
On average, the university has produced 13.7 finalists, reaching a peak of 24 in 2020, though its numbers have fluctuated over the years, dipping to a low of eight in 2025.
8. Bond University, Queensland
Despite its smaller size and cohort, Bond University continues to punch above its weight, claiming the eighth spot and maintaining a strong presence among the awards finalists throughout the decade.
The university has produced, on average, 14.8 finalists each year, peaking at 19 in 2022, while its lowest representation came last year with 11 finalists, underscoring its consistent ability to nurture high-achieving legal talent.
7. Australian National University (ANU), Canberra
As one of Canberra’s most prominent universities, the Australian National University ranks seventh on the list, benefiting from its close ties to Australia’s political and legal institutions.
Over the decade, the university has averaged 15.3 finalists each year, reaching a peak of 26 in 2020, though its numbers have gradually declined, with the lowest representation of 10 finalists recorded in 2024.
6. Monash University, Melbourne
Monash University takes sixth place, consistently represented in every year’s 30 Under 30 Awards throughout the decade, demonstrating steady performance and a strong, reliable presence among Australia’s emerging legal talent.
Across the decade, the university has averaged 17.7 finalists each year, reaching a peak of 21 finalists in 2022, while its lowest representation was 13 finalists in 2025.
5. University of Sydney, Sydney
Coming in the middle of the pack is one of Australia’s most prestigious law schools, the University of Sydney. While it remains a top performer, the number of its finalists has gradually declined over the decade.
The University of Sydney, on average, has produced 19.1 finalists at the 30 Under 30 Awards each year, peaking at 31 in 2021, but slipping to a low of just 10 finalists last year, reflecting both the competitive nature of the awards and shifts in emerging legal talent.
4. University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney
Recognised as one of the most modern and industry-focused law schools in Australia, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) claims fourth place on the list, cementing its position as a major force among the nation’s top law schools.
UTS has consistently performed well, averaging 19.2 finalists over the decade, with peak representation of 23 finalists in both 2021 and 2024, while its lowest number came in 2022 with 13 finalists.
3. Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Queensland
Claiming a spot on the top three podium is Queensland University of Technology (QUT), solidifying its reputation as a leading force among Australia’s top law schools, consistently represented at the 30 Under 30 Awards with numbers that have steadily grown over the decade.
On average, QUT has seen 19.3 alumni and law students featured as finalists, reaching a peak of 27 in 2022, while its lowest representation of 13 came in 2020, highlighting the university’s ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging legal talent.
2. University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney
Closely trailing the leader is the University of New South Wales (UNSW), which has maintained robust and consistent representation in the 30 Under 30 finalist list every year.
On average, UNSW has seen 21.7 finalists featured annually, peaking at 29 finalists in 2020, while its lowest representation of 16 finalists came in 2023.
1. Macquarie University, Sydney
Topping the list is Macquarie University, which has recorded the highest average number of finalists across the decade and claimed the number one spot for university representation at the 30 Under 30 Awards for four consecutive years.
Macquarie University has averaged 22.7 law students and alumni represented each year at the 30 Under 30 Awards throughout the decade, reaching a peak of 29 finalists in 2022, while its lowest representation was 12 finalists in 2020.
