The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is a prestigious double degree that combines an accredited law qualification with a specialised, interdisciplinary education in the causes, consequences, and societal responses to crime. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of all major areas of the law — including torts, contracts, constitutional law, administrative law, and criminal law — while simultaneously exploring criminological theory, justice systems, offender behaviour, and crime prevention strategies. This multidisciplinary program is designed to bridge the gap between two complementary disciplines, producing graduates who understand not just the letter of the law, but the deeper social, psychological, and cultural forces that drive crime and shape justice.

The degree typically runs for five years full-time, culminating in two separate qualifications recognised across Australia. The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australian states and territories, though graduates must also complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) before applying for admission to practise as a lawyer. The criminology component equips students with research skills, policy analysis capabilities, and an understanding of criminal justice systems both locally and globally.

Graduates are highly sought after by a wide range of employers, including law firms (from boutique criminal law practices to major national firms), government agencies such as the Australian Federal Police, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and state correctional services, community legal centres, non-profit advocacy organisations, courts and tribunals, the public service, intelligence agencies, and academic and research institutions. The dual qualification makes graduates especially attractive where legal expertise and criminal justice knowledge intersect.

Domestic students are primarily admitted on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent selection rank, which reflects Year 12 academic performance adjusted for equity factors. Due to the dual-degree nature of this program, ATAR thresholds tend to be competitive, with many providers requiring scores in the range of 70 to 90+, though these vary by institution and campus. Applicants who have completed senior secondary school more than two years ago, or who hold a diploma, VET qualification, or prior university study, may be considered on the basis of GPA or equivalent academic merit. Some institutions also offer access schemes and equity adjustments for students who experienced disadvantage during their schooling, and alternative entry pathways such as commencing in the single criminology degree and later transferring into the double degree.

For most programs, there are no mandatory prerequisite subjects, though English at Year 12 level (Standard or above) is generally recommended or required. International students must demonstrate English language proficiency through tests such as IELTS (typically an overall score of 6.5 to 7.0, with no band below 6.0–6.5), TOEFL, or PTE Academic, or provide evidence of sufficient prior study in English. Some institutions, particularly those with stronger clinical or placement components, may require students to obtain a current National Police Certificate (Working With Children Check equivalent) before undertaking field placements, given that some practical activities involve working with minors or vulnerable populations. Students should confirm the specific requirements of each institution, as entry criteria, prerequisite subjects, and adjustment factor schemes vary across states and providers.