Course Overview

About This Course

Super-charge your criminology and criminal justice degree with law and you will be ready to launch a meaningful legal career in the justice sector. This double degree is the perfect combination if you want to be a criminal lawyer specialising in criminal defence and/or prosecution, or to work in regulatory or policy work in criminal justice areas covering issues such as interpersonal violence, policing, forensic psychology, corrections and cybercrime. Wider employment opportunities include anti-corruption, child protection, crime prevention, forensic science, human rights, intelligence, regulatory enforcement, youth and juvenile justice, and victim support.

The double degree requires 400 credit points: 200 credit points towards the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (120 credit points of criminology specified units, 30 credit points of specified law units, 20 credit points from a specified multi-disciplinary human rights unit, 20 credit points of Core Curriculum units and a 10 credit point community engagement unit) and 200 credit points towards the Bachelor of Laws (150 credit points of prescribed law units, 40 credit points of law elective units and a 10 credit point Community Legal Engagement: Pro Bono unit).

Students undertake an 80-hour community engagement associated with the criminal justice sector, with intensive training beforehand and a debriefing with a clinical education specialist afterwards, and complete a further 80 hours of pro bono experience after their first year as part of the law degree. The double degree is accredited for admission to legal practice in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria and recognised in other Australian states and territories, and is offered at ACU's Blacktown, Brisbane, Melbourne and North Sydney campuses.

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 $18,024

Duration

5 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 also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, which includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
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 3) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) (Band 4)
- Queensland: English (Units 3 & 4, C)
- Victoria: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
Indicative ATAR: 75.00 (Blacktown), 75.00 (Brisbane), 75.00 (Melbourne), 75.00 (North Sydney)
Applicants with higher education study must still meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites. 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, and prior study or relevant work experience may attract credit or recognition of prior learning.
ACU also assesses applicants on recent secondary education, prior VET study, and work and life experience.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

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. The year 12 subject prerequisites listed for domestic applicants also apply.
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 (that is, their ATAR or equivalent).

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include:
• Advocacy
• Criminal law
• Defence and/or prosecutions
• General policing
• Investigations
• Management and/or supervision
• Mediation
• Strategic planning and policy development
• Research

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB NSW)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

State Legal Admission Authority

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units93 units

LCRM101

Introduction to Criminology

LCRM105

Violent Crime and Society

LCRM106

Introduction to Criminal Justice System and Policy

LCRM104

Juvenile Justice

LCRM201

Introduction to Forensic Psychology and the Law

LCRM202

Police Studies

LCRM203

Introduction to Forensic Science and the Law

LCRM206

Victimology

LCRM207

Corrections and Rehabilitation of Offenders

LCRM301

Researching Criminology

LCRM302

Customs, Border Protection and Biosecurity

LCRM305

Cybercrime

LAWS104

Foundations of Law and Legal Research

LAWS106

Criminal Law and Procedure

LAWS107

Introduction to Australian Public Law

LHRG111

Human Rights and Indigenous People

LHRG207

Human Rights and Criminal Justice

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

LCRM304

Community Engagement

LAWS105

Contract Law

LAWS108

Commercial Law

LAWS200

Business Organisations

LAWS201

Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution

LAWS204

Land Law

LAWS205

Property

LAWS206

Torts

LAWS304

Evidence

LAWS314

Statutory Interpretation

LAWS403

Legal Theory

LAWS404

International Law

LAWS418

Administrative Law

LAWS419

Constitutional Law

LAWS420

Equity and Trusts

LAWS421

Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

LAWS110

Of Civil Government and Indigenous Peoples

LAWS111

Indigenous Peoples and International Law

LAWS202

Comparative Legal Systems

LAWS203

False or Misleading Conduct and Economic Torts

LAWS207

Contemporary Legal Issues

LAWS208

Family Law

LAWS209

Introduction to the Law and Legal System of the United States

LAWS210

Lawyers, Problem-Solving and Professional Identity

LAWS211

Psychology and the Law

LAWS212

Employment Law

LAWS214

Drugs and the Law

LAWS215

Housing and Rental Law

LAWS216

Native Title Law and Practice

LAWS217

Philosophy of Law and Justice: Indigenous Peoples

LAWS301

Competition Law

LAWS306

Taxation Law

LAWS307

Advanced Criminal Law

LAWS308

Human Rights in Contemporary Australia

LAWS309

Communications Law

LAWS310

Discrimination and the Law

LAWS311

Environmental Law

LAWS313

Mooting and Advocacy

LAWS315

Welfare Law

LAWS316

INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR 2

LAWS318

Indigenous Knowledge and Intellectual Property

LAWS319

Oceans and Land Law: Just Terms

LAWS320

International Learning Tour

LAWS401

Consumer Protection Law

LAWS402

International Trade Law

LAWS406

Intellectual Property Law

LAWS407

International Human Rights Law

LAWS408

Alternative Dispute Resolution

LAWS409

Law of the European Union

LAWS410

Banking and Finance Law

LAWS411

The Phillip C Jessup Moot Seminar

LAWS412

Migration Law

LAWS413

Wills and Succession

LAWS414

Advocacy

LAWS415

Animal Law

LAWS416

International Criminal Law

LAWS417

Sports Law

LAWS423

Law, Religion and Society

LAWS424

Media Law

LAWS458

Childrens Rights

LAWS459

Law and Innovation

LAWS460

Mental Health Law

LAWS461

Financial Markets Law & Regulation

LAWS213

Community Legal Engagement Pro Bono

LAWP100

Pro Bono / Legal Professional Experience 1

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws take to complete?

The course has a duration of 260 weeks, as listed on the CRICOS registry for Australian Catholic University Limited.

What campuses can I study this dual degree at?

The course is offered at four Australian Catholic University campuses: Blacktown CBD Campus (NSW), North Sydney Campus (NSW), Brisbane Campus (QLD), and Melbourne Campus (VIC).

Does the course include a work component?

Yes. Students complete an 80-hour community engagement associated with the criminal justice sector, and a further 80 hours of pro bono placement after their first year as part of the law degree.

What is the estimated total cost of the course for international students?

The estimated total tuition cost for international students is AU$189,520, based on ACU's indicative first-year fee of AU$37,904 across the five years of the course, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

What fields of education does this dual degree cover?

This dual qualification covers two fields of education: Criminology (Detailed Field: 099903, under Society and Culture) and Law (Detailed Field: 090999, under Society and Culture), providing graduates with expertise in both areas.

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 $60,000 to $85,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $85,000 to $115,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $115,000 to $160,000 per year

Career Paths

Criminal Defence LawyerCrown Prosecutor / Government ProsecutorSolicitor in Criminal PracticeBarrister (Criminal Law)Policy Officer – Criminal Justice

Key Skills

Legal research and case analysisCritical analysis of criminal behaviour and sociological theories of crimeStatutory interpretation and common law reasoningDrafting legal documents, submissions, and court materialsOral advocacy and moot court argumentation

Full Course Overview

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