Best ATAR Subjects for Law in WA

Law in WA is offered at four universities: UWA, Curtin, Notre Dame and Murdoch. The Bachelor of Laws is typically combined with a second degree (Arts, Commerce, Science or Politics) and runs 5 to 6 years. Postgraduate Juris Doctor pathways are also available at UWA and Notre Dame.

The good news: no WA law degree requires specific ATAR subjects. The bad news: ATAR cutoffs are high, and the wrong subject mix makes them harder to hit. Here is the framework.

What each WA university requires

UWA Law is competitive: the ATAR cutoff for the combined Law/Arts or Law/Commerce double degrees runs around 98. Curtin, Notre Dame and Murdoch sit lower (80 to 85), opening direct entry to a wider band of students.

The optimal 5-subject combination

For a student aiming at UWA Law (Combined), the strongest subject mix is:

1. English or English Literature (mandatory for WACE; Lit scales slightly higher).
2. Mathematics Methods (high-scaling; useful for Commerce double; not required but lifts ATAR).
3. Modern History or Politics and Law (engagement with legal reasoning, scales near neutral).
4. Economics (lifts ATAR; useful for Commerce double).
5. One stretch subject: Specialist, Chemistry, or Physics for ATAR boost.

This 5-subject load gives you 4 strong scaled subjects (English/Lit, Methods, Economics, plus one stretch) for ATAR top 4 calculation. ATAR projection: 90 to 98+ for a competent student.

Why Methods plus Economics matters

Most law students do not need maths. But the law cohort is competitive, and Methods scales by approximately 5 to 6 marks at the median. For a 95+ ATAR target, Methods is one of the highest-leverage subjects.

Economics scales modestly up (1 to 2 marks at the median) and gives you direct exposure to the kind of structured argument that law school assesses. Many UWA Law students take Economics in Year 12 specifically for this reason.

The Politics, History and Literature lane

If you would rather not take Methods, the alternative high-engagement combination is:

1. English Literature
2. Politics and Law
3. Modern History
4. Economics
5. One language (LOTE) for stretch and scaling

This is a humanities-heavy load that aligns directly with what law school teaches. It tops out at around 92 to 95 ATAR for top students, which is enough for Curtin, Notre Dame and Murdoch Law direct entry but borderline for UWA Combined Law.

UCAT, LSAT or other tests?

WA law degrees do not require UCAT or LSAT. Selection is by ATAR plus, in some cases, a personal statement. UWA's combined Law programs are ATAR-only with the exception of equity pathways.

What about Notre Dame's Special Admissions?

Notre Dame offers an interview-based pathway alongside ATAR for some courses. Check their current admissions policy if your ATAR sits below cutoff but you have strong written advocacy or demonstrated interest in legal practice.

What if your ATAR falls short?

Three pathways:

1. Adjustment factors. UWA, Curtin and Murdoch all apply adjustment factors for low-SES schools, regional schools and equity backgrounds. Your effective ATAR can be 5 to 10 points higher than your raw ATAR.
2. Bachelor of Arts to Juris Doctor. Complete a Bachelor of Arts (no specific prerequisites) then apply for the Juris Doctor as a postgraduate at UWA or Notre Dame.
3. Curtin or Notre Dame entry. Lower ATAR cutoffs make these the most accessible direct-entry law degrees in WA.

What to actually do this week

1. Open the UWA, Curtin, Notre Dame and Murdoch law admission pages. Note the ATAR cutoff and any adjustment factor schemes that apply to you.
2. Use our ATAR calculator with the 5-subject combination above. See your projected ATAR.
3. Talk to your school career counsellor about whether the Methods or humanities lane suits your strengths.

If you want a 30-minute call to map an ATAR plan for law, book a free consultation at our Bentley or Canning Vale centres.