Bachelor of Laws

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Australian Catholic University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) prepares students to become ethical, socially conscious legal professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required for a successful legal career. Ideal for students who are passionate about justice, advocacy, public policy, and legal practice, the program combines foundational legal training with hands-on professional experience through community-focused legal engagement. Campus Locations: Blacktown (Sydney), North Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students establish a strong foundation in legal principles and legal reasoning. Through units such as Foundations of Law and Legal Research, Contract Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Introduction to Australian Public Law, and Commercial Law, students develop essential legal research, writing, and analytical skills while gaining an understanding of Australia's legal system.

Year 2

The second year focuses on core areas of private and public law while introducing practical legal engagement. Students study Torts, Property, Business Organisations, Land Law, Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Statutory Interpretation, while also completing Community Legal Engagement: Pro Bono, which prepares them for professional legal service and community-based legal work.

Year 3

Students deepen their understanding of legal systems and begin tailoring their studies through elective choices. Advanced topics such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and specialised law electives help students explore areas of personal interest while strengthening legal analysis, advocacy, and problem-solving capabilities.

Year 4

The final year prepares students for professional legal practice through advanced legal studies. Units including Evidence, International Law, Equity and Trusts, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, and Legal Theory enable students to integrate legal knowledge, ethical decision-making, and professional judgement while preparing for admission to legal practice. Students also complete the required 80-hour pro bono placement, gaining valuable real-world legal experience.

Focus Areas:

Legal Research and Writing, Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Property Law, Civil Procedure, Alternative Dispute Resolution, International Law, Legal Ethics, Advocacy, Community Legal Engagement, Social Justice.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal research and analytical skills; interpret and apply legal principles to complex legal problems; communicate effectively in professional legal settings; demonstrate ethical and socially responsible legal practice; evaluate legal issues from local and global perspectives; and contribute meaningfully to justice and law reform initiatives.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws has been approved by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice across Australian jurisdictions, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT).

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

95% of ACU law graduates are employed.
ACU is ranked among the Top 10 Catholic Universities worldwide.
ACU is ranked among the Top 40 Young Universities globally

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) is designed to move beyond traditional classroom learning by giving students meaningful opportunities to apply legal knowledge in real-world settings. Throughout the degree, students develop practical legal skills through community engagement, legal research, advocacy activities, and professional experiences that reflect the realities of legal practice. ACU's Thomas More Law School places a strong emphasis on social justice, ethical legal practice, and experiential learning, ensuring graduates are career-ready from day one. These practical opportunities are supported by specialist legal resources, industry engagement initiatives, and professional development activities:

80 Hours of Pro Bono Experience – All students complete 80 hours of pro bono legal experience after their first year. These placements involve practical law-related activities, particularly supporting disadvantaged and marginalised communities, while providing firsthand exposure to the legal profession.
Community-Based Legal Placements – Through the pro bono program, students gain workplace experience in community legal environments and develop practical skills in legal problem-solving, client engagement, ethical decision-making, and social justice advocacy.
Mooting and Advocacy Competitions – Students can participate in mooting, negotiation, and witness-interviewing competitions both within Australia and internationally, helping them strengthen advocacy, public speaking, legal argumentation, and courtroom skills.
Legal Research and Writing Training – Practical legal skills are embedded throughout the curriculum through units such as Foundations of Law and Legal Research, enabling students to develop professional legal research, writing, drafting, and statutory interpretation skills.
Thomas More Law School Engagement Activities – Students benefit from a variety of student engagement opportunities, professional events, guest speakers, and law-focused activities organised through ACU's Thomas More Law School.
International Study Opportunities – Students may undertake overseas study opportunities, including studying part of the Core Curriculum at ACU's Rome Campus, allowing them to gain international perspectives on legal and social issues.
Law Student Society Activities – The McAuley Law Students Society offers networking events, legal industry workshops, professional development activities, study support sessions, mentoring opportunities, and moot workshops that complement classroom learning.
Library and Legal Research Resources – Students have access to ACU's extensive library services, academic databases, legal research platforms, journals, and digital learning resources that support legal scholarship and professional research skills.
Collaborative Learning and Group-Based Activities – Many law units involve collaborative discussions, case analysis, legal problem-solving exercises, and teamwork activities that mirror professional legal practice and client-focused work.
Industry Partner Engagement – ACU works with a range of legal and community-sector industry partners, helping students connect with the profession and gain practical insight into legal careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) prepares graduates for a wide range of legal and professional careers by combining rigorous legal training with a strong focus on ethics, social justice, and community engagement. Graduates develop highly transferable skills in legal research, advocacy, negotiation, critical thinking, and problem-solving, making them valuable across both legal and non-legal sectors. Typical career outcomes include Solicitor, Barrister, Legal Adviser, Policy Officer, and roles within government, regulatory bodies, NGOs, and corporate organisations.

This strong foundation for career success 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 career readiness and professional development.
Career Development Services – Students have access to ACU's career support services, including employability programs, career consultations, networking opportunities, professional development workshops, internship guidance, and job-search support designed to help students transition into professional employment.
Industry Partnerships – ACU Law works with a range of industry partners including AED Legal, JobWatch, Knowmore Legal Service, Refugee Legal, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, Western Sydney Community Legal Centre, Justice Reform Initiative, and Young Workers Centre. These partnerships provide valuable opportunities for professional engagement and practical experience.
Pro Bono Professional Experience – Students complete 80 hours of pro bono experience, working on practical legal activities that support disadvantaged and marginalised communities. This experience develops professional skills while providing valuable exposure to the operation of the legal system.
Long-Term Professional Accreditation Value – The degree is approved by accreditation authorities as a prerequisite for admission to legal practice in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, and is recognised for admission purposes across Australia. After completing Practical Legal Training, graduates can seek admission as legal practitioners.
Graduate Salary Prospects – Graduates entering legal and law-related professions typically earn between AUD $70,000 and $100,000 per year, depending on their employer, location, and area of practice. Salaries generally increase substantially with admission to practice and professional experience.
Global Reputation and Recognition – ACU is ranked among the Top 10 Catholic universities globally and the Top 40 young universities worldwide, providing graduates with a qualification recognised both nationally and internationally.
Broad Graduate Outcomes – Graduates pursue careers across the legal profession, government administration, industry regulation, diplomacy, politics, media, academia, international NGOs, and emerging areas of legal practice created by technological and social change.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to meet the practical requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. Students who complete at least 120 credit points of law units and achieve the required academic standard may be eligible to progress into an Honours pathway. Graduates can also pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM) in specialised areas including commercial law, international law, human rights law, environmental law, or dispute resolution. Those interested in research, academia, or policy development may continue into Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs, opening opportunities in legal scholarship, public policy, and senior leadership roles within the legal profession