Course Overview

About This Course

Unlike a pure accounting degree, ACU's Bachelor of Accounting and Finance is a named degree that broadens your career choices, so future employers know instantly what you are qualified in. Alongside an extensive corporate accounting education you build a solid understanding of financial systems and of financial decision-making during times of uncertainty, which applies to banking, financial consulting, funds management, merchant banking, stockbroking and treasury. The degree runs to 240 credit points: 210 credit points of specified accounting, finance, law, economics and analytics units, 20 credit points of ACU Core Curriculum and a 10 credit point community engagement unit. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, cloud skills and cloud data services are wired into your studies, so you can tick Microsoft certifications off your list, and units such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Finance and Emerging Technologies in Finance sit alongside Financial Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Auditing and Portfolio Management. Work integrated learning is built in: a professional experience unit of 105 placement hours in organisations such as chartered accounting firms, stockbrokers, financial planners, government and corporate accounts departments and banks, plus 35 hours of volunteering with a not-for-profit through the community engagement unit. As a PRME member, ACU embeds the United Nations sustainable goals across its units and runs an intercultural communication module; you can extend this through a Global Virtual Classroom, an international study tour or study at ACU's Rome Campus, where two business units are offered. The course is AACSB-accredited and graduates are eligible for membership with CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Public Accountants.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $15,366

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must comply with ACU's Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:
- New South Wales: English (Standard) (Band 2) or EAL (Band 3)
- Queensland: English (Units 3 & 4, C)
- Victoria: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
Indicative ATAR: 60.00 (Melbourne), 60.00 (North Sydney).
English language requirements: IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in speaking and writing, and 5.5 in listening and reading.
ACU also assesses applicants on prior VET study, higher education study, and work and life experience; applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting their study level, duration and grade point average.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate, and must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements.
International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia), an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 must apply for admission through their local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and are assessed on their performance in those studies (i.e. ATAR or equivalent).
English language requirements: IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in speaking and writing, and 5.5 in listening and reading.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Our graduates have pursued careers in:
• Accounting
• Corporate finance
• Stockbroking
• Financial planning
• Corporate accounting
• Auditing
• Funds management

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

CPA Australia / Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

CPA / CA ANZ / IPA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units33 units

ACCT207

Financial Accounting

ACCT210

Accounting Foundations

ACCT209

Corporate Accounting

ACCT300

Auditing

ACCT303

Strategic Management Accounting

ACCT305

Accounting Information Systems

BAFN200

Principles of Finance

BAFN207

Financial Institutions Risk Management

BAFN208

Portfolio Management

BAFN310

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Finance

BAFN311

Emerging Technologies in Finance

BUSN105

Financial Literacy

BUSN113

Managing People and Organisations

BUSN114

Marketing Essentials

ECON200

Economics: Policy Frameworks and Markets

ITEC100

Information Technology in Action

LEGL101

Introduction to Business Law: Legal Frameworks for Businesses

LEGL201

Company Law: Directors and Corporate Regulation

STAT207

Business Data Analysis

LEGL300

Taxation Law

BIPX301

Professional Experience

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

BIPX202

Community Engagement: Building Strengths and Capabilities

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance take to complete?

The Bachelor of Accounting and Finance at Australian Catholic University has a duration of 156 weeks.

Does the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance include a work component?

Yes, the course includes a work component of 21 hours per week over 5 weeks, totalling 105 hours of work-integrated learning.

How much does the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance cost for international students?

The estimated total course cost for international students is $108,048 AUD, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

At which campuses can I study the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance?

For 2027, the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance is offered at two Australian Catholic University campuses: Melbourne (VIC) and North Sydney (NSW). Brisbane is an approved location in the ACU Handbook but the course is not offered there in 2027.

Is the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

No. Although the course is a Skills Level 1 qualification with a duration greater than 92 weeks, it falls under the 08 - Management and Commerce broad Field of Education, which is excluded from the extended Post-Study Work Rights eligibility criteria.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $75,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $75,000 to $95,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $95,000 to $130,000 per year

Career Paths

Graduate AccountantAssistant AccountantFinancial AnalystTax AccountantAuditor

Key Skills

Financial statement preparation and analysisManagement accounting and cost analysisCorporate and personal taxation under Australian lawAuditing and assurance proceduresFinancial modelling and forecasting

Full Course Overview

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