#1 Victorian university for business undergraduate employment
#1 Victorian university for course satisfaction
80+ hours work-integrated learning
Why choose commerce and laws at Deakin
Study at a top 3 law school in the state of Victoria and build the legal and commercial expertise employers value. Combine comprehensive legal training with a commerce degree newly redesigned to develop specialists who use data and evidence to help organisations make sound financial and market decisions.
Build strong foundations in law, accounting, economics, finance and analytics. Develop skills in communication, problem solving and critical thinking. Apply your learning in professional and international settings through work-integrated learning, including supervised casework at the Deakin Law Clinic, internships and consulting projects. Explore commercial and public law, human rights, technology, privacy and data law while learning to interpret data, model financial outcomes and advise organisations on complex challenges.
Graduate ready to help shape decisions in law, business, government, policy and community settings in Australia and around the world.
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Proven employability
Study at the #1 Victorian university for business undergraduate employment and a top 3 law school in Victoria.
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Degrees shaped by employers
Build legal skills and commercial insight through a degree aligned with industry and professional standards.
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Work-integrated learning
Gain real experience through commerce experiences and 150 hours at the Deakin Law Clinic working on real cases.
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Dual career advantage
Graduate ready for legal practice, business and government roles with combined expertise across commerce and law.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Develop legal knowledge and analytical thinking alongside commercial and financial skills, opening pathways into law, business and government careers.
Lawyer
Advise clients on legal rights, prepare legal documents, negotiate settlements and represent clients across a range of commercial and legal matters.
- $105k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 20%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 3.6/5
Job satisfaction
Management accountant
Analyse financial performance, prepare budgets, forecasts and management reports. Advise leaders on costs, risks and opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability and business performance.
- $115k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 8.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Barrister
- Corporate lawyer
- Company administrator
- Business manager
- Public administrator
- In-house lawyer
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
FAQs
Yes – every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning (WIL) in their degree. Each year, more than 30,000+ students complete a placement or internship with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, EY and the National Australia Bank. You can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs, helping you apply your skills and graduate with the experience and confidence employers value.
DeakinTALENT is Deakin's award-winning career service, and you can access it for life – not just while you're studying. From personalised career coaching sessions and AI-enhanced resume support to a jobs and internships board with employment opportunities, it’s designed to give you the career management skills and connections you need to stand out. Every Deakin degree is built with input from employers, so your course is designed around real workplace needs, now and into the future.
Entry requirements and the minimum ATAR vary by degree and are detailed on the degree page, but if your ATAR is below the cut-off, you still have options. Use the pathway finder tool to find the opportunities available to you, including associate degrees and Deakin Guaranteed ATAR, which offers eligible students a guaranteed entry score that's on average 10 points below the lowest selection rank. If you don't have an ATAR, Deakin Uni Ready is a free, supported program designed to build your skills and confidence and open doors to degrees in arts, health, science and business. Access programs and equity schemes are also available.
At Deakin, employability isn't an add-on – it's built in. Our degrees are designed with industry input, so your skills are aligned to what employers actually need. Every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities such as placements, internships and industry projects, helping you build your professional network and practical experience before you even graduate. It's an approach that works: nine out of 10 Deakin graduates get a job within four to six months of finishing their degree.
Yes. Most eligible undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place meaning the government subsidises part of your tuition fees. If eligible, you can pay your student contribution using a HECS-HELP loan that you only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold. Deakin has scholarships that cater to our diverse student community, ranging from $5,000 per year for high ATAR achievers to $10,000 per year for students facing financial or personal hardship. The University also offers support services including financial counselling, budgeting help and access to short-term, interest-free loans to help you stay on track.
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for student support and that starts the moment you accept your offer. Orientation is designed to help you feel welcome and get to know your community of classmates and teachers from day one. Across all campuses, there's a vibrant student community with clubs, events and opportunities to build real friendships. Deakin offers a range of services to help students stay healthy and safe, including sport and fitness facilities, free counselling, on-campus medical services and around-the-clock security.
Yes, and it's straightforward. You can transfer to Deakin in a few steps and apply for credit through recognition of prior learning (RPL), so you won't necessarily repeat subjects you've already completed. If you're coming from a TAFE partner, you may get guaranteed entry into second year with guaranteed RPL. Deakin's three-trimester system also means you may be able to start mid-year rather than waiting until March.
Most Deakin courses run across three trimesters per year instead of the traditional two semesters. Trimester 1 begins around March, Trimester 2 around July and Trimester 3 around November, each with roughly 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period. This means you can usually start your degree at three different points in the year and have more flexibility to manage your study load. Check the intakes by location section on the course page for details.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws?
In this double degree, you combine legal expertise with business knowledge, developing an understanding of how law operates within commercial environments and broader society. Progress from foundations in both disciplines, to commerce specialisation, advanced legal studies and applied experiences that integrate law and business perspectives.
Foundations in law and business
Learn legal and business foundations
Explore fundamental legal principles alongside key business concepts, building a strong base across both areas.
Develop critical thinking skills
Strengthen your ability to interpret information, construct arguments and analyse real-world issues.
Build professional capability
Begin developing communication and problem-solving skills relevant to legal and commercial contexts.
Core legal knowledge and business depth
Advance legal understanding
Study key areas of law that underpin professional practice and legal reasoning.
Progress your commerce major
Begin focusing on a business discipline, developing knowledge aligned to your interests and goals.
Apply learning to practical scenarios
Analyse cases and business situations to strengthen your applied problem-solving skills.
Integration and applied learning
Link law and business perspectives
Understand how legal frameworks influence business decisions and organisational strategy.
Engage in experiential learning
Undertake practical or work-integrated learning experiences that build industry awareness.
Develop advanced analytical skills
Refine your ability to interpret legislation, evaluate risk and assess business implications.
Advanced study and professional focus
Complete advanced legal studies
Engage with complex areas of law and develop higher-level legal reasoning and advocacy skills.
Extend commerce expertise
Continue your major studies, building depth in your chosen business discipline.
Build workplace readiness
Strengthen professional skills through applied tasks, collaboration and industry engagement.
Consolidation and career readiness
Complete capstone learning experiences
Undertake advanced projects or practical units that bring together your legal and business knowledge.
Refine professional identity
Develop confidence in applying your dual expertise in real-world contexts.
Graduate with dual capability
Enter the workforce with a strong understanding of both legal systems and commercial environments.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws, you must pass 40 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Students must complete 7 credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce
Students must complete 18 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
*Previously coded MLL110
Note: MLP code denotes Priestley units, which teach the academic areas of knowledge prescribed for admission to legal practice.
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Students must complete one of the following experiential/practice units as one of their Law Elective units:
Further details can be found at WIL Opportunities for law students
Students must complete 1 Bachelor of Commerce major sequence chosen from the below list. Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability:
^M380 Bachelor of Commerce is the recommended pathway to qualify for membership of professional organisations.
Students must complete 5 Law electives from the following list
*MLI code denotes optional residential version of the unit.
^MLT324 does not count as one of the WIL/Practical course elective units (listed above) required for the Bachelor of Laws.
Note:
Not all units will be offered every year.
The Law School might from time to time develop new units to strengthen the law elective list.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the academic qualifications necessary for admission to the legal profession. In Victoria these have been set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic qualifications, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed certain practical legal training requirements and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.
Requirements for admission in jurisdictions outside Australia vary. Please check with the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
Deakin Business School holds the prestigious and globally recognised AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, which attest to quality, academic and professional excellence, ongoing improvement, innovation and graduate employability.
Deakin’s accounting major enables students to apply for the:
- CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- Associate membership for the CPA Program
- IPA Program of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Students who complete the finance major are recognised through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.
The financial planning major satisfies the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) education standards, meaning students can provide financial advice in Australia and are eligible for financial planning certification programs including:
- the Financial Adviser Association of Australia (FAAA) CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
International Students:
This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.
For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
This course structure applies to students who commenced in 2027.
Students who commenced prior to 2027 should refer to the Handbook Archive for their course structure and consult with their enrolment officer.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Laws (M312) | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Commerce (M380) |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate an understanding of the Australian legal system and the fundamental areas of knowledge required for legal practice as situated within international contexts and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise. | Integrate specialist disciplinary knowledge in commerce to analyse financial, economic and market systems and generate data driven insights that inform organisational and investment decisions in interconnected local, regional and global markets. |
| Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing. | Apply analytical frameworks, quantitative methods and tools for commerce to interpret financial, economic and organisational data, exercising ethical professional judgement to develop evidence based analyses and advice in commercial contexts. |
| Use a range of digitally-based technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate information. | Communicate commercial ideas, analyses and recommendations clearly and professionally to diverse stakeholders, and collaborate effectively with others, using feedback and reflection to improve professional practice. |
| Exercise critical thinking, judgment and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal doctrine and legal practice. | Critically evaluate economic and business models, strategies and practices to assess how commercial activity can balance financial performance with environmental and social sustainability. |
| Apply legal reasoning and critical analysis to generate and articulate accurate and relevant responses to legal issues. | Select and apply technologies to analyse complex commercial problems, evaluate alternative courses of action and generate evidence based insights that inform decision making in commerce contexts. |
| Exercise responsibility and accountability for own learning, and possess abilities to reflect on own capabilities, performance and feedback to support personal and professional development. | Apply commercial knowledge and cultural intelligence to identify and address opportunities for shared prosperity across Indigenous, regional, and international contexts. |
| Collaborate effectively in a team environment demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others. | |
| Reflect on the ethical and professional behaviours and responsibilities of legal professionals and demonstrate an understanding of the impact that different social, ethical, global or environmental perspectives have on exercising legal practice in the community. |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414491 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400514491 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400614491 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) - Deakin code
- D308
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$17,805
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Apply through VTAC
Applications are open. Apply through VTAC if you're:
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
- For accreditation purposes, the University normally only considers RPL for core Deakin Bachelor of Laws units, or core Juris Doctor units, on the basis of previous law study that has taken place within five years of the anticipated commencement [Note 1] of the degree at Deakin. Please note that RPL requests for any law unit core to the degree undertaken more than 5 years ago is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Deakin Law School.
- RPL for any non-core (elective) units will be determined via normal RPL policy rules; however, if the unit would be more than 5 years old at the student's anticipated course commencement date, then the decision needs to be made within the Law School (in order to ensure the currency of the learning that is being recognised).
Note: that the date taken is commencement of studies at Deakin, not the date of the RPL Application.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Readmission into law courses
All students seeking readmission into law courses must be readmitted into the latest version of a course. To satisfy admission requirements to the legal profession, you may need to pick up additional units or repeat units where prior studies at Deakin were undertaken more than 5 years ago; or where units were undertaken in a previous course version.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.
Alternate exits
- Bachelor of Commerce (M380)
- Bachelor of Laws (M312)
- Diploma of Business Studies (M201)