Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Australian Catholic University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a professionally focused double degree that combines legal education with strong commercial and business expertise, preparing students for careers in law, corporate environments, finance, consulting, and government. It is designed for students who want to understand how legal systems interact with business decision-making, regulation, and global markets. Campus Location: North Sydney Campus, New South Wales, placing students close to major law firms, financial institutions, and corporate headquarters in Sydney’s central business district.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In the first year, students build essential foundations in both law and commerce. Law studies begin with Foundations of Law and Legal Research, Contracts Law, and Legal System and Methods, helping students understand how legal systems operate in Australia. In commerce, students study Principles of Accounting, Economics for Business, and Introduction to Business Data Analysis, developing core financial and analytical skills needed for business decision-making.

Year 2
The second year introduces core legal doctrines alongside key business disciplines. Students study Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Torts, building a strong understanding of legal responsibility and civil liability. In commerce, subjects such as Financial Accounting, Management Principles, and Marketing Fundamentals help students understand how organisations operate, grow, and compete in modern markets.

Year 3
In the third year, students move into more advanced legal and commercial study. Law units such as Administrative Law and Corporations Law develop understanding of government authority and business regulation. Commerce studies may include Corporate Finance, Business Law in Practice, and Organisational Behaviour, allowing students to explore how law and business intersect in real-world corporate environments.

Year 4
The fourth year focuses on professional legal practice and advanced business strategy. Students complete Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Civil Procedure, and advanced law electives while also undertaking commerce subjects such as Strategic Management and Business Analytics for Decision Making. This year strengthens professional readiness through applied learning and problem-solving in legal and business contexts.

Year 5
The final year prepares students for professional practice through advanced legal and commerce integration. Law studies include Evidence, Equity and Trusts, and elective law specialisations, while commerce units may include International Business Strategy and Capstone Business Project. Students also engage in practical learning experiences that simulate real-world legal and business environments, preparing them for graduate employment or professional admission pathways.

Focus Areas:

Commercial Law, Corporate Finance, Business Strategy, Accounting, Legal Practice, Governance, Economics, Contract Law, Taxation Principles, Risk Management, Advocacy, Regulatory Compliance, Organisational Behaviour.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will be able to apply legal reasoning to complex business environments, analyse commercial and financial data, interpret and apply Australian law, communicate effectively in professional settings, evaluate business and legal risks, and demonstrate ethical and strategic decision-making in corporate and legal contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT).

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Australian Catholic University is recognised globally for strong graduate outcomes, with 95% graduate employment outcomes reported. ACU is also ranked among the Top 10 Catholic universities worldwide, reflecting its strong academic reputation, industry engagement, and commitment to graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) is designed to blend legal education with real-world business practice, giving students hands-on experience in both corporate and legal environments. Throughout the degree, students develop practical skills in legal reasoning, commercial decision-making, financial analysis, and ethical business practice. Learning is strongly applied, with opportunities to engage in case-based learning, simulated legal practice, and industry-informed projects that reflect real workplace challenges in law firms, corporations, and government organisations. Students also gain exposure to professional legal and business environments through ACU’s strong community and industry connections.

This practical learning experience is supported by real tools, professional environments, and structured industry engagement opportunities:

ACU Law Professional Experience (Pro Bono Program) – Students complete 80 hours of pro bono legal work, applying legal knowledge in real community legal settings and gaining practical experience in client-facing environments.
Industry-Engaged Learning with Legal and Business Organisations – Students engage with partner organisations such as AED Legal, JobWatch, Knowmore Legal Service, and Refugee Legal, gaining insight into legal practice and social justice work.
Work-Integrated Learning and Case-Based Business Projects – Students undertake applied business and legal projects that simulate real corporate decision-making, legal problem-solving, and strategic business planning.
Legal Skills Training and Simulation – Students develop courtroom, advocacy, and legal drafting skills through structured legal practice exercises and simulated legal environments guided by experienced academics and practitioners.
Digital Learning Platforms and Legal Research Tools – Students use ACU’s online learning systems, legal databases, and research tools to access case law, statutes, journals, and commercial data for assignments and legal research tasks.
Group-Based Legal and Business Projects – Collaborative learning is embedded throughout the degree, with students working in teams to solve legal cases, develop business strategies, and present professional recommendations.
Industry-Experienced Academic Staff – Students are taught by academics with professional experience in law, commerce, and public policy, ensuring teaching reflects current industry expectations and practices.
ACU Library and Legal Research Resources – Students access extensive academic collections, legal databases, business research materials, and digital resources to support both legal and commerce studies.
Ethics and Social Impact Learning – ACU’s strong focus on ethics ensures students engage with real-world issues involving corporate responsibility, governance, and justice-focused legal practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) prepares graduates for high-impact careers at the intersection of law, business, and corporate decision-making. Students develop strong capabilities in legal reasoning, financial literacy, corporate governance, taxation, and commercial strategy, making them highly valuable in both legal and business environments. Graduates typically pursue roles such as Solicitor, Corporate Lawyer, Compliance Manager, Business Analyst, and Policy Adviser, with opportunities across private firms, financial institutions, and government organisations.

This strong career preparation is supported by several key advantages:

Excellent Graduate Employment Outcomes – ACU reports that 95% of graduates are employed, reflecting the university’s strong focus on employability, practical learning, and industry engagement across professional disciplines.
Career Development Services – Students benefit from ACU’s dedicated employability support, including career counselling, mentoring, networking events, resume and interview workshops, internship guidance, and graduate employment support services designed to improve job readiness.
Industry Partnerships and Professional Networks – ACU collaborates with organisations such as AED Legal, JobWatch, Knowmore Legal Service, Refugee Legal, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, Western Sydney Community Legal Centre, Justice Reform Initiative, and Young Workers Centre, alongside exposure to business and corporate environments through applied learning opportunities.
Practical Pro Bono and Work Experience Opportunities – Students complete 80 hours of pro bono legal experience, gaining real-world exposure to legal practice while also engaging with business-related problem-solving and professional casework.
Long-Term Professional Accreditation Value – The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited and recognised by legal admission authorities in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, fulfilling the academic requirements for admission to legal practice after completing Practical Legal Training (PLT).
Graduate Salary Prospects – Graduates entering legal, commerce, banking, consulting, and corporate sectors typically earn between AUD $75,000 and $115,000 per year, depending on role, industry, and experience level. Salaries increase significantly with progression into senior legal or corporate positions.
Strong Corporate and Financial Career Pathways – Graduates are well prepared for careers in commercial law, investment banking, accounting firms, corporate governance, taxation, financial services, consulting, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
Transferable Professional Skills – Students graduate with expertise in legal analysis, financial decision-making, commercial strategy, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving, making them highly competitive across both legal and business industries.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. Students may also pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM) in commercial law, corporate law, or taxation law, or advanced business qualifications including a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, or Master of Professional Accounting. For those interested in research, academia, or leadership roles, progression into Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs is also available, providing pathways into legal scholarship, corporate leadership, financial consultancy, and senior executive roles across global industries.