Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce

School of Law & Business

Do you dream of having your own legal practice? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s combined Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce will give you a competitive edge as it draws upon the teachings of both the School of Law and the School of Business. For students who wish to become lawyers, having a solid understanding of business can help you succeed both in your legal practice and in assisting your business clients. Alternatively, if you wish to start your own business or work within the corporate environment, having a sound understanding of the legalities surrounding your work will also serve you well. Start your learning journey today.

  • Why study this degree?

    Designed with some of Australia’s most prominent legal professionals, this combined Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce places a strong focus on experiential and case-based learning. When undertaking the legal component of the degree, you will find that Notre Dame’s small class sizes give you ample opportunity to engage in spirited debate and discussion.

    Furthermore, we also encourage students to participate in our Mentorship Program. Working in collaboration with highly respected law practitioners, this unique program bridges the gap between law students and the legal profession. The program connects penultimate and final year students with experienced legal practitioners who provide guidance and advice on matters such as elective choices and applying for clerkships.

    Similarly, the inclusion of a Business Internship in the Commerce component of your degree forms yet another opportunity for you to implement the skills you have learned in a real working context. Held over three phases, you will undertake classroom-based learning in phases one and two before undertaking a four-week industry placement in your third phase. By adding this industry experience to your already impressive formal qualifications, you will graduate with a keen competitive edge.

  • Program summary

    Year One

    • Legal Research & Writing
    • Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation
    • Media Ethics and Law
    • Legal History
    • Media and Society
    • Two Communications and Media Subjects

    Year Two

    • Criminal Law A
    • Contract Law A
    • Torts A
    • Criminal Law B
    • Contract Law B
    • Torts B
    • Three Communications and Media Subjects

    Year Three

    • Property Law A
    • Property Law B
    • Arts Major Elective Seven
    • Arts Major Elective Eight
    • Four Communications and Media Subjects
    • One Communications and Media Elective

    Year Four

    • Advocacy
    • Constitutional Law
    • Equity
    • Corporations & Partnerships
    • Evidence
    • Administrative Law
    • Trusts
    • Law Elective One

    Year Five

    • Remedies
    • Civil Procedure
    • Legal Philosophy
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution
    • Commercial Practice & Ethics
    • Law Elective Two (International)
    • Law Elective Three
    • Law Elective Four

    Law Electives*

    • Advanced Administrative Law
    • Advanced Civil Procedure
    • Advanced Constitutional Law
    • Advanced Evidence
    • Advanced Research Project (i.e. Honours research - 2 courses)
    • Bioethics and the Law
    • Advanced Taxation Law
    • Commercial Drafting
    • Commercial Law
    • Construction and Building Contract Law
    • Contemporary Legal Issues
    • Directed Research Project
    • Employee Relations Law
    • Entertainment Law
    • Environmental Law
    • Family Law
    • Health Law
    • Human Rights Law
    • Indigenous Law
    • Insolvency
    • Intellectual Property Law
    • International Dispute Resolution
    • Canon Law (i.e. Church Law)
    • Law and Religion
    • Law in Context (Externships) – involves work experience
    • Mining and Petroleum Law
    • Occupational Safety and Health Law
    • Introduction to Australian Taxation Law
    • Succession
    • Competition and Consumer Law
    • Trial Advocacy

    *Available law electives are subject to change and may vary depending on your campus and year of study. Please check with your school for the current electives on offer.

    Commerce Majors

    • Accounting
    • Economics
    • Finance
    • Human Resource Management
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Public Relations
    • Sport and Recreation Management

    Core Curriculum

    • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
    • CORE II: Elective
      • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
      • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
      • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
      • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
      • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

    More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

    Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  • Entry requirements

    Entry requirements WA

    Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.  See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

    Applicants with recent Secondary Education

    • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 85

    OR

    • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 32

    *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

    Applicants with Higher Education Study

    • Successful completion of at least 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*, with an average grade of 65% or higher

    *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

    Note: Tertiary Preparation Programs are not accepted for entry.

    Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

    • Successful completion of AQF Diploma or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

    Applicants with Work and Life Experience

    Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

    • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

    OR

    • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 160 in the Multiple Choice section and 160 in the Written English section.

    OR

    • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

    *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

    Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

    Entry requirements NSW

    Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.  See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

    Applicants with recent Secondary Education

    • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank*

    OR

    • International Baccalaureate (IB) score

    *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

    Applicants with Higher Education Study

    • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher* with an average grade of 65% or higher.

    *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

    Note: Tertiary Preparation Programs are not accepted for entry.

    Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

    • Successful completion of AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

    Applicants with Work and Life Experience

    Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

    • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

    OR

    • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 160 in the Multiple Choice section and 160 in the Written English section.

    OR

    • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

    *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

    Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

  • Learning outcomes

    Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours), graduates will be able to:

    1. Write effective and professional documents adapted to suit the purpose and audience
    2. Develop and deliver effective and professional presentations adapted to suit the purpose and audience, using appropriate technologies
    3. Synthesise, interpret, and apply information in order to resolve legal problems
    4. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of foundational legal concepts, principles, and theories, and apply and transfer knowledge to diverse national, regional, and international legal contexts
    5. Undertake self-directed learning with an appreciation of the value and importance of engaging in continuing professional development
    6. Provide social justice in the community including the provision of legal advice on a pro bono basis
    7. Use ethical and socially responsible decision-making skills
    8. Critically reflect on the influence of Catholic and other philosophical and intellectual traditions on the law and on their role in resolving legal issues
    9. Work responsibly and collaboratively in diverse teams to achieve shared outcomes
    10. Conduct independent legal research and employ appropriate legal research methods and sources to locate, evaluate, synthesise, and present accurate, up-to-date, and reliable legal sources
    11. Critically evaluate, analyse, and deploy evidence in support of a research thesis and communicate their findings in both oral and written form (Honours Only)

    Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Commerce, graduates will be able to:

    1. Apply the professional skills of their chosen business discipline through the ethical delivery of strategy, advice and services
    2. Reflect on their performance and implement change as necessary
    3. Think critically, reason and use judgment in preparation for their professional practice
    4. Identify relevant evidence-based research for use in professional analysis and advice; and
    5. Identify their own values and beliefs and be empowered to act on these values to advocate for people with whom they are engaged.
  • Practical component

    You are required to complete BUSN3900 Business Internship that includes a minimum of 150 hours of practicum.

  • Career opportunities

    Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; career opportunities range from Solicitor, barrister, judge’s associate, and research assistant. This double degree will also provide you with the know-how to start your own business or practice.

  • Real-world experience

    You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

  • Study abroad

    A global perspective adds a valuable dimension to your university education. At Notre Dame University you can study while experiencing the world. We encourage students to become active global citizens through a range of exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit International Opportunities to find out more.

  • Honours

    An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Law (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce regulations, or by contacting the School of Law & Business.

  • Professional accreditation

    The Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) accreditation requirements are according to the accreditation rules administered by the Legal Profession Admission Board in New South Wales and the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia.

    The Bachelor of Commerce (Major: Accounting) is fully accredited by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, CPA Australia and the Institute of Public Accountants.

    The Bachelor of Commerce (Major: Human Resource Management) is accredited with the Australian Human Resource Institute.

  • Fees and costs

    This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:


    CSP
    A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, called the ‘student contribution amount’.

    In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

    • The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.
    • The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan.

    Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.


    HECS-HELP
    The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.


    For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

  • Student profile data

    Tables 1 and 2 below give an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this Program. It provides data on all students who commenced in this Program in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

    Fremantle Student Profile Data

    TABLE 1a – Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    Applicant background

    Semester 1 2022

    Number of students

    Percentage of all students

    (A) Higher education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    <5N/P
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) studyN/AN/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/AN/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
    <5N/P
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    <5 N/P
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    1152%
    International studentsN/AN/A
    All students21100.0%

    TABLE 1b – Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offersATAR
    (Excluding adjustment factors) *
    Selection Rank
    (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *
    [only if relevant]
    Highest rank to receive an offer 97.9099.95
    Median rank to receive an offer 91.58 94.08

    Lowest rank to receive an offer

    82.50 86.50

    Sydney Student Profile Data

    TABLE 1a – Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    Applicant background

    Semester 1 2022

    Number of students

    Percentage of all students

    (A) Higher education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    N/AN/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) studyN/AN/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/AN/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
    N/AN/A
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    <5N/P
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    1983%
    International studentsN/AN/A
    All students23100.0%

    TABLE 1b – Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2021 INTAKE

    RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offersATAR
    (Excluding adjustment factors) *
    Selection Rank
    (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *
    [only if relevant]
    Highest rank to receive an offer N/A N/A
    Median rank to receive an offer N/A N/A

    Lowest rank to receive an offer

    N/A N/A

    TABLE 2a – Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

    Applicant background

    Semester 1 2022

    Number of students

    Percentage of all students

    (A) Higher education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    <5100%
    All studentsN/P100.0%

    Notes:  

    “<5” – the number of students is less than 5
    N/A – Students not accepted in this category
    N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent the calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

    In 2022, due to COVID, additional adjustment factor points were granted to applicants from NSW, ACT and VIC.

  • More information

    Considering your uni options?

    Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.


    For more information, please contact our Prospective Students Office.

    Fremantle and Broome
    Phone: +61 8 9433 0533
    Email: future@nd.edu.au
    Sydney and Melbourne
    Phone: +61 2 8204 4404
    Email: sydney@nd.edu.au

    All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.


Our students give us top marks

  • No.1 uni in Australia
    Overall Employment *

  • No.1 uni in NSW & WA
    Learner Engagement **

  • No.1 uni in WA
    Skills Development ***

*2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-Longitudinal (medium term outcome), undergraduate category, **2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category and ***2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category - qilt.edu.au

Apply direct     Explore our programs

Like what you see?