Australian Catholic University

What you'll study

This combined program brings together the core legal curriculum with a flexible commerce degree. Law components typically cover foundational subjects such as Civil and Criminal Law, Contract, Torts, Property, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Evidence and Procedure, Legal Research and Professional Ethics. Advanced law units may include Corporate Law, Taxation Law, Commercial Transactions, Litigation Practice and electives that allow specialisation in areas such as family law, employment law or human rights.

The commerce component provides a solid grounding in business disciplines. Common subjects include Accounting and Financial Reporting, Management and Organisational Behaviour, Economics (micro and macro), Quantitative Methods for Business, Marketing, Finance, and Business Law. You can usually choose a major or sequence of electives in areas such as Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Human Resource Management or Economics to tailor the degree to your interests.

Program structure generally stages law and commerce units across the duration of the degree, with early years focused on core theoretical foundations and later years offering professional skills training, practical projects and electives. Many campuses provide opportunities for clinical legal experience, internships or placement projects tied to commercial organisations, community legal centres or industry partners.

Entry requirements

• Typical academic pathway: completion of senior secondary school with a competitive ATAR or equivalent. ACU also considers applicants through recognised state-based senior secondary qualifications.
• Mature-age and alternative entry: the university offers alternative admission pathways for mature-age applicants, applicants with vocational qualifications or relevant work experience, and through tertiary admission schemes.
• Prerequisites and English proficiency: applicants must meet ACU's English language requirements; some campuses or specialisations may set additional prerequisites or interview criteria.
• Selection factors: entry may consider a combination of academic results, personal statements, referee reports or supplementary information, depending on the admission pathway used.

Career prospects

Graduates of a Commerce/Laws combined degree have a wide range of career options. The law component prepares you for admission to legal practice (subject to meeting the relevant jurisdictional practical legal training and admission requirements), leading to careers as a solicitor, barrister, in-house counsel or legal advisor in government, corporate or community sectors. The commerce major opens pathways into accounting, finance, business analysis, marketing, human resources and management roles.

Typical roles include corporate lawyer, commercial adviser, compliance officer, policy analyst, accountant or financial analyst, and business manager. The dual qualification is particularly valued by employers seeking professionals who understand both legal risk and commercial objectives, such as law firms with corporate practices, financial institutions, consulting firms and regulatory bodies.

Why study at Australian Catholic University

• Practical, student-centred approach: ACU emphasises small-group learning and practical skills training, including legal clinics and industry-linked projects that help bridge theory and practice.
• Cross-disciplinary strengths: The combination of law and commerce at ACU supports development of both analytical legal capabilities and commercial literacy—valuable in corporate, government and community settings.
• Support and pathways: Students can access academic support services, career development, and placement opportunities. ACU’s campus locations and industry connections facilitate internships and networking.
• Ethics and social justice focus: ACU promotes professional practice grounded in ethical reflection and social responsibility, which is integrated across law and commerce teaching and extracurricular opportunities.