Criminology is a multidisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the nature, causes, and consequences of crime, and the societal responses to it. Australian criminology degrees draw on knowledge and perspectives from a wide range of disciplines including law, sociology, psychology, history, anthropology, geography, and forensic science. Students develop a deep understanding of how criminal behaviour emerges, how the justice system operates — from policing and courts to corrections and rehabilitation — and how evidence-based policies can be designed to prevent crime and promote social justice. The course is designed for students who want to make a meaningful impact on communities, whether through direct service roles, research, policy work, or law enforcement.

Criminology programs in Australia are offered at bachelor, graduate diploma, and master levels, typically spanning three years full-time for an undergraduate degree. Students explore topics such as victimology, environmental crime, cybercrime, Indigenous justice, transnational crime, terrorism, drug policy, and organised crime. Graduates are equipped to work across a broad range of sectors: federal, state and local government agencies, Australian Federal Police, state police forces, courts, corrective services, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), community legal centres, youth justice services, non-government organisations, social welfare agencies, academic and research institutions, and private security consultancies.

For undergraduate criminology programs, domestic students typically require completion of Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary qualification) and an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) that varies by institution and program competitiveness. ATARs for criminology degrees generally range from around 65 to 85, though some programs and institutions may accept lower scores or offer alternative entry pathways for mature-age applicants, TAFE graduates, or those with relevant work experience. Some institutions also consider personal attributes, work experience, and prior study when assessing applications for non-school-leaver entry.

International students must satisfy English language requirements, typically demonstrated through tests such as IELTS (generally an overall band score of 6.0–6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0), TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic. Students who do not meet these thresholds may be able to complete English language bridging programs before commencing their degree. For postgraduate programs such as a Graduate Diploma or Master of Criminology, applicants normally require a completed bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline — such as law, social science, psychology, or public policy — or relevant professional work experience in criminal justice, government, or community services.

Certain specialised pathways, such as degrees combined with policing, may have additional entry criteria including fitness assessments, medical and psychological checks, and a requirement for no serious criminal record, consistent with requirements for entry into state and territory police services. Some programs may recommend (but not always require) prior study in subjects such as legal studies, society and culture, psychology, or community and family studies at senior secondary level.