University of Melbourne
Master of Energy and Resources Law
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Master's
The program provides specialised legal knowledge in energy, mining and environmental regulation, preparing students for careers in the evolving global resources sector.
Course overview
The Master of Energy and Resources Law is part of the world-renowned Melbourne Law Masters program. It’s available for both law and non-law graduates. The flexible structure makes it ideal for working professionals looking to immerse themselves in studying energy and resources law.
Working with lecturers who are leaders in their fields and fellow students from Australia and around the world, you’ll have a unique opportunity to gain an advanced understanding of energy and resources law, the regimes governing exploration and production activities and the resolution of land-use and resource conflicts.
Key facts
June, 2026
July, 2026
August, 2026
December, 2026
What you will study
Students must complete 100 credit points in total. Each subject is valued at 12.5 credit points.
Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete Fundamentals of the Common Law, as well as 87.5 credit points of study from the prescribed list of subjects.
Students with a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete 87.5 credit points of study from the prescribed list and may choose 12.5 credit points from the subjects available in the Master of Laws (excluding Fundamentals of the Common Law and the Minor Thesis).
Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete Fundamentals of the Common Law, as well as 87.5 credit points from the prescribed list.
- Fundamentals of the Common Law
Entry requirements
To be considered for entry into this course, you must have completed one of the following:
- Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) (AQF7) or a Juris Doctor (JD) (AQF9) leading to admission to legal practice with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 70%, or equivalent.
- Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) (AQF7) or a Juris Doctor (JD) (AQF9) or equivalent, leading to admission to legal practice and two years of documented relevant experience and two years of documented relevant experience.
- Bachelor's degree (AQF7) or equivalent in a cognate (relevant) discipline and two years of documented relevant experience.
- Bachelor's degree (AQF7) or equivalent in a cognate (relevant) discipline, completed four graduate-level subjects in a cognate graduate diploma and one year of documented relevant experience.
- Cognate (relevant) disciplines include: Energy and resources, renewable energy and engineering.
Relevant experience for this course may include legal roles such as a lawyer, solicitor, advocate, attorney, counsel, barrister, magistrate, or judge's associate or roles in government, mining, or renewable energy.
Relevant experience is measured in full-time years but may be completed within a part-time equivalent timeframe.
English language requirements
All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including a recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning). Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
As a Master of Energy and Resources Law student, you’ll develop an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of energy and resources relations law, including:
- In-depth knowledge of the specialist area of energy and resources law and associated disciplinary areas.
- Detailed knowledge of the complex laws and regulations in the field.
- The capacity to identify new laws and/or apply existing laws in the rapidly evolving legal context for energy and resources.
- Advanced understanding of developments in international energy and resources law.
You’ll also develop skills in critical analysis and the ability to interpret and transmit your ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences, including clients.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative first-year and total course fee in 2026: $49,984 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The indicative fee shown is based on a full-time study load of 100 credit points (eight subjects).
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of subjects studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of subjects.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.

















