Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Southern Cross University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies at Southern Cross University is designed for students who are passionate about justice, law, public policy, and social change. This degree provides a strong foundation in legal knowledge while exploring how laws are created, interpreted, and applied within society, making it ideal for aspiring policy officers, paralegals, conveyancers, and justice-sector professionals.

Campus Locations: Gold Coast (Queensland), Lismore (New South Wales), and Online. Students benefit from Southern Cross University's industry-focused approach to legal education while studying in supportive and highly rated learning environments.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a foundation in legal systems, government, and society. Subjects such as The Australian Legal System, Australian Politics, and introductory law and justice units help students understand how legal institutions operate and how laws influence communities. Students begin developing legal reasoning, research, and communication skills that are essential across the justice sector.

Year 2

The second year expands students' understanding of contemporary legal and social issues. Through units such as Global Social Movements, Social Policy, and intermediate law and justice studies, students examine how law interacts with politics, public administration, and social reform. The curriculum encourages critical thinking and policy analysis while strengthening practical legal knowledge.

Year 3

In the final year, students consolidate their expertise through advanced legal and justice studies and elective specialisations. Depending on their interests, students may explore areas such as Conveyancing, legal practice, policy development, or justice administration. Students integrate legal knowledge with real-world issues, preparing them for professional roles or further study in law. The accredited Conveyancing major also provides a pathway toward becoming a licensed conveyancer in New South Wales.

Focus Areas:

Legal systems and institutions, Australian politics, social policy, justice studies, public policy development, legal research, governance, social movements, conveyancing, and community justice.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop a strong understanding of legal principles and justice systems; analyse legal and social issues critically; apply legal research and communication skills; evaluate public policy; and understand the relationship between law, politics, and society in local and global contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Conveyancing Major is accredited by New South Wales Fair Trading, enabling graduates who complete the major to meet the educational requirements for licensing as a conveyancer in NSW. The degree also provides eligible graduates with a pathway and advanced standing into the Bachelor of Laws.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Southern Cross University Law received 5-star ratings for undergraduate teaching quality and student support in the Good Universities Guide 2026. The University also received 5-star ratings for undergraduate full-time employment, skills development, and student support in Law, reflecting strong graduate outcomes and industry relevance

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies at Southern Cross University is designed to give students practical insight into how law, public policy, politics, and justice systems operate in real-world settings. Rather than focusing solely on legal theory, the program develops professional skills in legal research, policy analysis, dispute resolution, ethical decision-making, and justice administration. Students learn how to analyse legal issues, evaluate policy outcomes, and understand the social impact of laws while using contemporary learning technologies and professional research resources. These practical experiences are supported by industry-relevant units, specialised accreditation opportunities, and extensive digital research tools:

Legal Research and Analysis Skills – Students develop professional-level legal research capabilities, learning how to investigate legal issues, analyse legislation and case law, and formulate evidence-based responses to legal and policy challenges.
Mediation Training – Students can undertake LEGL2012 Mediation Practice and Procedure, which meets the training and assessment requirements of the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS). Southern Cross University is a recognised training provider, enabling students to pursue mediation accreditation after successful completion.
Conveyancing Professional Pathway – Students who choose the Conveyancing major study industry-specific legal subjects that form an approved educational qualification for conveyancer licensing in New South Wales, providing a direct pathway into professional practice.
Applied Legal and Justice Studies – The curriculum combines studies in law, politics, social justice, public policy, and governance, helping students apply legal knowledge to contemporary justice and community issues.
Digital Learning Environment – Students access interactive online learning resources, digital learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and contemporary educational technologies that support collaboration, research, and case-based learning.
Extensive Legal Research Databases – Through the University Library, students gain access to major academic databases and legal research resources, including multidisciplinary collections such as ProQuest, SAGE Premier, and Wiley Online Library, supporting legal, political, and justice-related research projects.
Library and Academic Research Support – Students have access to Southern Cross University's library services, academic skills programs, online tutorials, referencing support, research guidance, and study resources that strengthen professional research and analytical capabilities.
Policy and Social Justice Focus – Learning activities encourage students to examine legal and ethical issues within broader social and political contexts, preparing them for careers in policy development, public administration, and justice-related organisations.
Pathway to Further Legal Studies – Students who achieve the required academic results may apply for advanced standing or progression into the Bachelor of Laws, allowing them to build upon their legal and justice studies education

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies at Southern Cross University prepares graduates for a wide range of careers across the legal, justice, policy, and public sectors. By combining legal knowledge with an understanding of social justice, politics, and public policy, graduates develop skills that are highly valued by employers. Typical career outcomes include Paralegal, Policy Officer, Conveyancer, Court Administration Officer, and roles within government and justice agencies.

This strong career foundation is further supported by the following advantages:

Graduate Employment Outcomes – Southern Cross University received 5-star ratings for undergraduate full-time employment, skills development, and student support in Law according to the Good Universities Guide.
Graduate Salary – Graduates from Southern Cross University's Law and Paralegal Studies disciplines report an average salary of approximately AUD $65,200 per year, with many justice-sector and policy roles progressing significantly with experience. A realistic graduate salary range is AUD $60,000–$75,000+ per year, depending on the role and location.
Careers & Employability Services – Students have access to the university's dedicated Careers & Employability Team, including:
- CareerSuccess, an online employability platform with job alerts, career planning tools, interview preparation resources, and resume support.
- Mentor Connect networking opportunities.
- Professional association guidance and employability workshops.
- Support for volunteer work experience opportunities.
Industry-Relevant Teaching – More than 70% of Southern Cross law academics are practising lawyers or internationally recognised legal experts, ensuring students learn from professionals with current industry experience and legal expertise.
Professional Recognition – The program's Conveyancing major is accredited by NSW Fair Trading, enabling graduates to meet the educational requirements to become a licensed conveyancer in New South Wales. This provides a direct professional pathway not commonly available in many undergraduate law-related degrees.
Pathway into the Legal Profession – Graduates may receive advanced standing into the Bachelor of Laws, creating a streamlined pathway for students who later decide to pursue qualification as a lawyer.
Broad Employment Opportunities – Graduates are prepared for employment in:
- Legal firms
- Government policy departments
- Law enforcement agencies
- Court administration
- Public prosecution services
- Legal aid organisations
- Banking and insurance sectors
- Conveyancing and property services
- Social policy and public service organisations
Strong Student Outcomes – Southern Cross University Law programs have earned 5-star ratings for teaching quality, student support, skills development, and graduate employment outcomes, reflecting the university's commitment to student success and career readiness.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, graduates can continue their studies through several pathways:

Progress into the Bachelor of Laws with potential advanced standing for eligible units, reducing the time required to complete a law qualification.
Undertake postgraduate studies in areas such as Public Policy, Criminology, Justice Studies, Human Rights, Political Science, or related social science disciplines.
Complete specialised professional qualifications in Conveyancing, Compliance, Governance, or Dispute Resolution to expand career opportunities.
Pursue higher research qualifications such as a Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in law, justice, public policy, or related fields.
Continue towards legal practice by completing a Bachelor of Laws, followed by Practical Legal Training (PLT) and admission to the legal profession.