University of Western Australia

What you'll study

This programme focuses on the intersection of resources and energy law with international commercial law. Core topics typically include the regulation of mineral and petroleum resources, environmental and planning law applicable to projects, native title and Indigenous heritage law, and international commercial law principles such as sales, carriage of goods, trade remedies and international arbitration. You will also study transactional and project‑level subjects such as project agreements, joint ventures, fiscal and royalty regimes, and project finance and securities.

Examples of modules you can expect:

• Resources and Mining Law: legal frameworks for mineral exploration, tenures and approvals
• Petroleum and Gas Law: upstream and downstream contractual regimes and regulation
• Environmental and Planning Law for Projects: environmental assessment, approvals and compliance
• Native Title, Indigenous Engagement and Heritage Law
• International Commercial Law: international sales, carriage, trade finance and CISG
• International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution: arbitration rules, investor–state and commercial disputes
• Project Finance and Security: financing large scale resource and infrastructure projects
• Regulatory and Competition Law in Resources Markets

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, case studies and practical exercises. Assessment typically includes research essays, contract drafting, case analyses and examinations. Some students may be able to undertake a supervised research project or dissertation in a topic that integrates resources and international commercial law.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold a recognised law degree (LLB or equivalent) or a related undergraduate degree plus relevant professional experience. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in another discipline but with substantial industry or legal practice experience in resources, energy or commercial sectors may also be considered. Entry usually requires academic transcripts demonstrating satisfactory performance at undergraduate level and references or a resume demonstrating work experience where relevant.

International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements; common evidence includes recognised test scores or prior study in English. Some pathways may require completion of prerequisite or bridging subjects for candidates without a primary law background. Admission to higher degree research components, where available, may require a research proposal and additional supervisory approval.

Career prospects

Graduates are well placed for roles where law, commercial practice and the resources sector intersect. Typical career paths include:

• Lawyers at commercial law firms specialising in resources, energy or international trade
• In‑house counsel or legal advisers for mining, oil & gas and renewable energy companies
• Regulatory and compliance roles in government agencies and statutory authorities
• Project development and commercial teams dealing with contract negotiation, procurement and finance
• Arbitrators, dispute resolution practitioners and advisers on cross‑border disputes
• Policy advisers and consultants working on resource governance, Indigenous engagement and environmental approvals

Why study at University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia brings a strong law faculty with expertise in natural resources, energy and international commercial law, combined with geographic proximity to a major resources industry hub. Studying in Perth offers opportunities for engagement with industry practitioners, regulatory bodies and in‑region corporate employers involved in mining and energy projects. UWA provides access to research centres, professional legal clinics, mooting programmes and guest lectures from practitioners, which help bridge academic study and real‑world practice.

The programme is suited to those who want practical, regionally informed legal training relevant to global resource projects and cross‑border commercial transactions, backed by UWA’s academic supervision and professional networks.