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The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws is a prestigious double degree that combines a deep academic study of crime, deviance, and the justice system with a fully accredited legal qualification. Students graduate with two separate degrees — typically in five years of full-time study — equipped to work both as admitted legal practitioners and as specialist professionals in the broader criminal justice landscape. The criminology component examines the sociological, psychological, and cultural dimensions of crime, victimisation, punishment, law enforcement, and crime prevention, while the law component covers all core legal disciplines required for admission to practice across Australia, including contracts, torts, criminal law, constitutional law, equity, property, and evidence. Together, these disciplines produce graduates with a uniquely powerful and complementary skill set. The double degree is accredited by law admissions authorities across Australian states and territories, meaning graduates who complete the required Practical Legal Training (PLT) — typically a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice — may apply to the Supreme Court for admission as a lawyer. Employers who recruit graduates from this program include federal and state government departments, the Australian Federal Police, state police forces, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), ASIO, the Director of Public Prosecutions, community legal centres, criminal defence and prosecution law firms, corrections services, policy agencies, human rights organisations, and private security and consulting firms.
Australia's legal profession is experiencing significant workforce growth and talent shortages, creating strong demand for qualified law graduates with specialist expertise. The profession grew 47% between 2014 and 2024, and the 2025 Australian HR Issues and Salary Survey Report found that actual headcount increases in the legal sector fell well short of projected targets, signalling an ongoing scarcity of skilled legal talent — particularly at the mid-career level. At the same time, Australia faces growing challenges in organised crime, cybercrime, terrorism, family violence, drug offences, and youth justice, creating parallel demand for criminal justice professionals who understand both the law and the social context of offending. A combined Criminology and Law degree addresses this skills gap directly, offering graduates a distinct advantage over single-degree law graduates by enabling them to understand criminal behaviour, crime prevention policy, social justice issues, and legal practice simultaneously. This interdisciplinary edge makes graduates highly attractive to employers in the public sector, legal profession, intelligence agencies, and social policy environments.
Entry into a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws typically requires completion of an Australian Year 12 qualification (or equivalent) with a competitive ATAR score. Because the Law component is a professionally accredited degree, ATAR cut-offs tend to be higher than for single criminology degrees — commonly ranging from the mid-70s to the high 80s depending on the institution and demand for places. Some providers require prior study in English, Legal Studies, History, Society and Culture, or related humanities subjects as assumed knowledge. Applicants may also be considered on the basis of previous tertiary study, vocational qualifications, or mature-age entry pathways, and internal transfer from a Bachelor of Criminology is a common route into the double degree once a competitive GPA has been established. International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency, with most institutions requiring a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5–7.0 (with no individual band below 6.0–7.0, depending on the institution). Some universities specify higher minimum sub-scores for the law component given the language-intensive nature of legal study. To be admitted to legal practice after graduation, students must also complete a period of Practical Legal Training (PLT), such as a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP), and satisfy the character requirements of the relevant state or territory legal admissions authority.
This course may be offered in different study modes depending on the university, campus location, course structure and student type. Students should check the available delivery mode before applying, as not every study option is available at every institution.
On-campus study is the traditional mode of delivery where students attend classes, lectures, tutorials, workshops or seminars at the university campus. This option may suit students who prefer face-to-face learning, access to campus facilities, networking with classmates, practical workshops, group projects and direct engagement with academic staff.
Some universities may offer programs fully online or with online subject options. Online study can be attractive for students who need flexibility due to work, family, location or other commitments. Online study may suit domestic students, working professionals or students who want to study from outside Australia.
Hybrid or blended study usually combines online learning with some on-campus classes, workshops, intensive sessions or practical components. This mode may suit students who want flexibility but still want some face-to-face interaction. The exact structure varies between institutions.
Programs in Australia may have different intake structures depending on the university. The most common intake systems are semester, trimester and block mode.
Many Australian universities follow a two-semester academic calendar. The main intakes are commonly Semester 1 (around February or March) and Semester 2 (around July). Semester-based study usually allows students to complete a set number of subjects over approximately 12 to 14 weeks.
Some universities use a trimester system, which generally provides three study periods a year — around February/March, June/July and October/November. Trimester study may provide more flexibility and may help some students complete their course faster.
Some institutions may offer selected subjects or programs in block mode, where students focus on one subject at a time over a shorter, more intensive teaching period. Block mode may suit students who prefer concentrated learning or working professionals managing study around employment.
Some online or professionally focused programs may offer more frequent start dates or flexible entry points throughout the year. Students should not assume that every course has monthly or multiple intakes — availability depends on the institution, course structure and student type.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws enjoy one of the broadest and most flexible career landscapes of any undergraduate double degree in Australia. They can pursue admission to legal practice as criminal defence lawyers, prosecutors, solicitors, or barristers, while simultaneously being well-positioned for roles across federal and state government, law enforcement agencies, corrections, intelligence, policy analysis, human rights advocacy, forensic services, and social justice organisations. The combination of legal accreditation and criminological expertise means graduates are competitive for roles that single-degree law or criminology graduates may not be — particularly in roles that require both legal literacy and a deep understanding of criminal behaviour, social policy, or institutional justice processes.
Entry Level
Graduate / Assistant
Graduate Lawyer, Graduate Policy Officer, Paralegal, Legal Research Assistant, Graduate Intelligence Analyst, Victim Support Worker
Early Career
Officer / Coordinator
Solicitor (Criminal Law), Junior Prosecutor, Policy Officer, Youth Justice Officer, Corrections Officer, Legal Aid Lawyer, Crime Analyst
Mid-Level
Adviser / Specialist
Senior Solicitor, Senior Policy Adviser, Criminal Law Barrister, Senior Intelligence Analyst, Anti-Corruption Investigator, Legal Officer (Government)
Senior Level
Manager / Senior Adviser
Senior Crown Prosecutor, Principal Legal Officer, Senior Policy Manager, Head of Compliance, Director of Advocacy, Forensic Services Manager
Leadership
Director / Head / Principal
Director of Public Prosecutions, Law Reform Commissioner, Head of Legal Practice, Chief Policy Officer, Director of Criminal Justice Programs, Partner (Criminal Law Firm), Deputy Director-General (Justice)
Salaries for Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws graduates vary by role, sector, and location across Australia.
Melbourne
Melbourne is home to a thriving legal sector, major national law firms, Victoria's Supreme and County Courts, and key criminal justice agencies including Victoria Police and Corrections Victoria. The city also hosts significant criminology research communities and offers strong graduate employment prospects across both the public and private legal sectors.
Sydney
Sydney is Australia's largest legal market, housing the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, the NSW Supreme Court, major law firms, and federal agencies including the AFP and ACIC. The city offers the greatest volume of graduate legal roles in Australia, and its diverse population creates particular demand for criminal law, human rights, and social justice expertise.
Brisbane
Brisbane's growing population and expanding legal market make it an increasingly attractive destination for criminology and law graduates, with opportunities across the Queensland DPP, Queensland Police Service, state government, and a strong community legal sector. The city's warm lifestyle and lower cost of living compared to Sydney and Melbourne add to its appeal for students.
Perth
Perth offers unique career opportunities in criminal law, border protection, and law enforcement supported by the WA Department of Justice, WA Police, and a growing commercial legal sector. As the gateway to Australia's northwest, Perth also has demand for lawyers and policy professionals with expertise in Indigenous justice issues and regional criminal justice challenges.
Adelaide
Adelaide has a well-established legal profession with a collaborative and accessible legal community, making it an excellent city for new graduates to build their careers quickly. South Australia has a long history of criminal law reform, and the city's courts, legal aid services, and government agencies provide solid pathways for graduates pursuing public sector and criminal justice roles.
Canberra
Canberra is Australia's national capital and home to a concentration of federal government agencies, including the AFP, ASIO, ACIC, the Australian Institute of Criminology, and numerous policy and law reform bodies. For graduates interested in criminal justice policy, intelligence, and law reform at the national level, Canberra offers unrivalled access to these employers.
Before choosing a course, students should compare:
International students who want to study in Australia should also consider additional requirements before applying.
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