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The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is a prestigious double degree that equips students with two highly complementary qualifications: an accredited law degree and a specialist education in criminology and criminal justice. The course combines a thorough grounding in legal principles — covering contract law, criminal law, tort, constitutional law, and commercial law — with a deep exploration of the causes, patterns, and social responses to crime, including studies in victimology, corrections, forensic psychology, policing, and crime prevention. Students graduate with both the academic and analytical tools to understand how crime occurs and how legal systems respond to it, making them uniquely positioned across a wide range of professional settings.
This degree is designed for students who are passionate about justice in the broadest sense — those who want not just to practise law but to understand the social and structural conditions that drive criminal behaviour. The curriculum draws on sociology, psychology, politics, and law to provide a genuinely interdisciplinary perspective on crime, deviance, and justice. The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, meaning graduates can pursue a legal career while also being equipped to contribute meaningfully to justice policy, research, corrections, law enforcement, and advocacy sectors.
Key employers of graduates include law firms, state and federal government departments, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), ASIO, state and territory courts, community legal centres, corrections services, the Director of Public Prosecutions, human rights organisations, non-government organisations, and academic and research institutions. The dual qualification is highly attractive to employers in both the public and private sectors and significantly expands graduate career flexibility compared to single-degree study.
Australia's justice sector is experiencing sustained growth and demand for skilled professionals with both legal expertise and a nuanced understanding of criminology. With projected job growth of over 17 per cent across several criminology-related occupations and ongoing government investment in criminal justice reform, public safety infrastructure, and victim support services, graduates of this double degree are entering a job market with strong and diverse demand. The combination of a law degree and criminology qualification is particularly valued because it fills a significant skills gap: employers increasingly seek professionals who can bridge legal practice with evidence-based policy, community engagement, and social justice outcomes.
Beyond employment demand, this degree develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are transferable across virtually every professional context. As new challenges emerge — from cybercrime and terrorism to family violence and Indigenous justice — the need for practitioners who understand both the law and its social context is greater than ever. Graduates of this degree are well-positioned to drive reform, advocate for vulnerable communities, and contribute meaningfully to Australia's legal and justice landscape at local, state, national, and international levels.
Entry to the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology double degree is competitive and typically based on your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or equivalent, with indicative ATARs ranging from approximately 70 to 97 depending on the institution and any applicable adjustment factors. Law as a component of the double degree is one of the most competitive admission categories in Australia, so most providers require a higher ATAR than for either degree studied alone. Applicants can also gain entry through alternative pathways including completed associate diplomas, AQF diplomas, undergraduate study at another institution (with GPA-based assessment), approved tertiary preparation programs, and mature-age entry schemes. Some providers also consider prior work experience in law, justice, or community services, and students may receive advanced standing for previously completed tertiary study.
International students are required to meet English language proficiency requirements, typically demonstrated through IELTS (usually a minimum score of 6.5–7.0 overall with no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or equivalent tests. Domestic applicants who have not completed Australian secondary education may also need to provide evidence of English language competency. Some institutions require applicants to meet specific prerequisite subjects such as English at a senior secondary level. No specific prerequisite subjects in law or criminology are typically required at Year 12 level, though subjects such as Legal Studies, English, History, Psychology, and Sociology are highly beneficial.
Upon completion of the law component, all graduates must also undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) before they can be admitted to practice as a lawyer in Australia. Some institutions facilitate PLT concurrently with the degree program, while others partner with external legal training providers. It is important for prospective students to check the admissions requirements of their preferred institution directly, as ATAR thresholds, prerequisite subjects, and pathway options vary significantly across Australian providers.
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 Laws / Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology are among the most versatile professionals in Australia's legal and justice sectors. The double qualification opens pathways into private legal practice, government agencies, law enforcement, corrections, policy development, community advocacy, and research — giving graduates the unique advantage of being able to move fluidly between roles that require legal expertise, criminological knowledge, or both. Employers range from private law firms and community legal centres to the Australian Federal Police, state correctional services, the Director of Public Prosecutions, ASIO, anti-corruption bodies, and non-government organisations. Graduates may also go on to postgraduate study in law, criminology, social work, public policy, or related fields to further specialise their careers.
Entry Level
Graduate / Assistant
Graduate Solicitor, Legal Assistant, Graduate Policy Officer, Research Assistant (Criminology), Graduate Community Corrections Officer, Paralegal
Early Career
Officer / Coordinator
Solicitor, Probation Officer, Youth Justice Officer, Policy Officer, Compliance Officer, Court Registrar, Legal Aid Lawyer, Intelligence Analyst
Mid-Level
Adviser / Specialist
Senior Solicitor, Criminal Law Specialist, Senior Policy Adviser, Senior Intelligence Analyst, Senior Corrections Officer, Human Rights Lawyer, Senior Researcher
Senior Level
Manager / Senior Adviser
Crown Prosecutor, Principal Lawyer, Senior Crown Prosecutor, Criminal Law Partner, Principal Policy Adviser, Manager (Corrections or Justice), Barrister
Leadership
Director / Head / Principal
Director of Public Prosecutions, Managing Partner (Law Firm), Director of Policy, Head of Legal Services, Chief Compliance Officer, Academic Dean, Commissioner
Salary ranges for Bachelor of Laws / Criminal Justice and Criminology graduates in Australia vary significantly depending on the specific career path, sector, and level of experience, with legal roles generally commanding higher salaries than criminology-specific positions.
Melbourne
Melbourne is home to a thriving legal sector and major state and federal justice institutions, including the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Office of Public Prosecutions, and a large network of community legal centres — making it an excellent city for aspiring criminal lawyers and justice policy professionals. The city also hosts numerous criminology research centres and government agencies focused on corrections, family violence, and public safety reform.
Sydney
As Australia's largest city and legal hub, Sydney offers unparalleled opportunities for law and criminology graduates, with access to major law firms, the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, the NSW Supreme Court, the Australian Federal Police, and a wide range of community legal organisations. The city's diversity and scale also provide rich environments for criminology research, Indigenous justice work, and policy advocacy roles.
Brisbane
Brisbane has a dynamic and growing legal market, particularly in criminal law and government legal services, supported by Queensland's expanding justice sector and significant investment in court infrastructure and policing. The city also benefits from proximity to Queensland Corrective Services, the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), and a range of government departments that regularly employ law and criminology double degree graduates.
Perth
Perth's justice sector offers strong career opportunities for graduates in criminal law, corrections, and policing through institutions such as the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, WA Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Department of Justice. The city's compact professional community also makes it easier for graduates to build networks and gain early career experience quickly.
Adelaide
Adelaide is home to a tight-knit legal community with strong representation in criminal law, community legal services, and public sector roles within the South Australian government, courts, and SAPOL (South Australia Police). The lower cost of living compared to Sydney and Melbourne makes Adelaide an attractive city for students, and the city's focus on criminal justice reform and victim services offers meaningful career pathways for graduates.
Canberra
Canberra is Australia's hub for federal law, policy, and government, making it an ideal city for law and criminology graduates who aspire to work in federal agencies such as the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, the Attorney-General's Department, and the Australian Institute of Criminology. Graduates seeking careers at the intersection of law, policy, and national security will find Canberra uniquely positioned to launch and grow their careers.
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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