Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws (2785)

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

  • Approved Abbreviation: BAccounting/LLB
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 2785
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 089438A

This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.

Commencement Year 2017 - 2785.2 Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws

The program couples undergraduate qualifications in law and accounting. Students gain an in-depth knowledge of accounting principles and practice, combined with study of economics, finance, statistics and law. Students develop professional legal skills, including the ability to analyse and interpret legal material, understand fundamental legal principles, the relationship between law and society, and solve non-legal problems. Students can tailor study for career paths in a variety of local and international law fields.

The program meets the undergraduate academic requirements for admission to legal practice through the Legal Profession Admission Board and also satisfies the current pre-admission educational requirements for registration as a practicing accountant. Graduates may pursue further specialised study.

The Bachelor of Accounting is accredited with and satisfies the pre-admission educational requirements for membership of CPA Australia (CPA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Completion of this degree will allow students to claim a number of exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in obtaining the CIMA Professional Qualification.

The University has approval from the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) to deliver programs in Australian taxation law and commercial law for tax (financial) advisers and tax agents. Successful completion of the Bachelor of Accounting degree (including completion of specific electives) satisfies the tertiary qualifications requirements to register as a Tax (Financial) Adviser or Tax Agent. Details of which subjects must be completed to meet these requirements can be found via the link below.

TPB Tax (Financial) Adviser Registration Requirements

Early Exit

Students may exit this program on completion of 80 credit points with a 2827 Diploma in Laws (exit only)

Study Mode

Five years full-time or ten years part-time.  Students may be required to travel between campuses in order to complete their subjects.

Program Advice

Dr Patrick Foong

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Campbelltown Campus Full Time Internal See above
Campbelltown Campus Part Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Full Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal See above

Accreditation

Graduates of the Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws are eligible to apply to the Legal Profession Admission Board for admission to legal practice in NSW after undertaking prescribed practical legal training. Providing students complete subject LAWS 4008 Revenue Law (students can select this as an LLB alternate subject), this degree satisfies the accreditation requirements of CPA Australia (CPA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) for entry into their respective programs. Completion of this degree will allow students to claim a number of exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in obtaining the CIMA Professional Qualification. In addition, by utilising their alternate subjects to complete the Taxation major T023, students satisfy the tertiary education requirements to register as a Tax (Financial) Adviser and a Tax Agent with the TPB. Details regarding these requirements can be found via the link located below. Students choosing to exit with the Bachelor of Accounting at the end of the third year who wish to seek professional accreditation as an accountant will need to complete all subjects listed in the first three years of the recommended program sequence and subjects LAWS 4008 Revenue Law (students can select this as an LLB alternate subject) and LAWS 3045 Law of Associations (an additional subject).

TPB Tax (Financial) Adviser Registration Requirements

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Accreditation

This degree is internationally accredited with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and students who complete this degree will receive exemptions from 11 ACCA papers.

Details available on the ACCA website

https://www.accaglobal.com/an/en.html

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

The business component of this program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent Requirements

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is an optional work component available in this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the program but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation.  For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Eligibility for admission to the Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws is based on the following requirements:

  • Recommended studies: HSC English (Advanced)
  • Assumed Knowledge: HSC 2 unit Mathematics

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements

Students enrolling in these subjects may need to have a National Police Certificate and consent or prohibited employment declaration as they may be conducting their placement in circumstances where they work with minors: 

  • LAWS 3074 Judicial Internship
  • LAWS 3077 Legal Internship
  • LAWS 4012 First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic
  • LAWS 3080 Street Law Clinic
  • JUST 3011 Issues in the Criminal Justice System (corrective services field trip requirement) also records and identity check.

The following subjects require a visa for the relevant country and the ability to travel at specified time:

  • LAWS 3024 Foundations of Chinese LawIn the B18 TRIM doc it's not there
  • LAWS 3025 Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India 
  • LAWS 3078 Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing will be assessed in accordance with University policy.

Program Structure

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws requires the successful completion of 400 credit points as per the recommended sequence.

Note: Students wishing to seek professional accreditation as an accountant will need to complete alternate subject LAWS 4008 Revenue Law as one of the eight LLB alternate subjects.

Students can tailor their study to include subjects that are recognised for specialist tax and financial planning practice in the accounting profession. Note that additional study may be required to achieve full accreditation in those specialist fields. Students should seek advice from the DAP re alternate subjects to be taken.

Students choosing to exit with the Bachelor of Accounting at the end of the third year who wish to seek professional accreditation as an accountant will need to complete all subjects listed in the first three years of the recommended program sequence and subjects LAWS 4008 Revenue Law (students can select this as an LLB alternate subject) and LAWS 3045 Law of Associations (an additional subject).

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Laws will only be eligible to graduate from their Bachelor of Laws degree upon completion of the entire 400 credit point program. Students enrolled in this program who wish to graduate with a standalone law degree prior to completion of the entire Bachelor of Accounting component must transfer to program Bachelor of Laws (Non Graduate Entry) which requires the completion of 320 credit points (inclusive of 80 credit points of non-LLB study).

Students may early exit with the Diploma in Laws on completion of 80 credit points, comprising 20 credit points of specified Law core units and 60 credit points of Law core or alternate units, as provided in the course structure. Please refer to the Diploma in Laws links above for details.

Recommended Sequence

Students commencing via mid-year entry, please consult the Academic Program Advisor 

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LAWS 1003 Fundamentals of Australian Law 10
LAWS 2004 Criminal Law 10
ACCT 1005 Accounting in Context 10
Select one of the following: 10
Statistics for Business  
Introduction to Economic Methods  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 1009 Legal Analysis and Critique 10
LAWS 2013 Torts Law 10
ACCT 1007 Financial Accounting Applications 10
ECON 2002 Corporate Financial Management 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
LAWS 2003 Contracts 10
ACCT 1010 Management Accounting Fundamentals 10
ACCT 2005 Techniques in Financial Accounting 10
ECON 1011 Principles of Economics 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
ACCT 3003 Accounting Standards and Governance 10
LAWS 2001 Alternative Dispute Resolution 10
ACCT 2001 Contemporary Management Accounting 10
Select one Alternate Accounting subject 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
LAWS 2015 Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics 10
ACCT 3001 Accounting Information Systems 10
ACCT 3007 Corporate Accounting Systems 10
Select one Alternate Accounting subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 2008 Government and Public Law 10
ACCT 3006 Auditing and Assurance Services 10
ACCT 3011 The Accountant as a Consultant 10
Select one Alternate Accounting subject 10
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
LAWS 3018 Equity & Trusts 10
LAWS 3082 Property Law 10
Select two LLB Alternate subjects 20
Students who will be seeking professional accreditation as an accountant should enrol in subject LAW 4008 Revenue Law in place of one LLB Alternate subject  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 3081 Administrative Law 10
LAWS 3045 Law of Associations 10
Select two LLB Alternate subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 5
Autumn session
LAWS 4015 Constitutional Law 10
LAWS 4004 Criminal Procedure and Evidence 10
Select two LLB Alternate subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 4014 Remedies 10
LAWS 4013 Civil Procedure and Arbitration 10
Select two LLB Alternate subjects 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points400

Alternate Accounting Subjects

Students must complete 30 credit points from the list of alternate accounting subjects below:

Subject Title Credit Points
FINC 3004Financial Planning10
FINC 3006Insurance Advising - Theory and Practice10
FINC 2002Personal Asset Management10
FINC 3014Retirement and Succession Planning10
LAWS 3067Self-Managed Superannuation and Trusts10

LLB Alternate Subjects

Students must complete 80 credit points of subjects from the list of Bachelor of Laws alternate subjects listed below. 

(Note that students must choose alternate subject LAWS 4008 Revenue Law if seeking professional accreditation as an accountant.)

Subject Title Credit Points
LAWS 4017Access to Justice Clinic10
LAWS 3001Advanced Family Law10
LAWS 4003Advanced Taxation Law10
LAWS 3002Advanced Torts and Civil Wrongs10
LAWS 3003Advocacy10
LAWS 3004Anti-Discrimination Law10
LAWS 3005Australian Competition Law10
LAWS 3006Australian Consumer Law10
LAWS 3007Banking and Securities Law10
LAWS 2014Bioethics10
LAWS 3089Children's Rights: Local and International10
LAWS 3011Comparative Law: Legal Systems of the World10
LAWS 3013Conflict of Laws10
LAWS 3088Construction Law10
LAWS 3014Corporate Governance10
LAWS 3015Cyber Law and Justice10
LAWS 4010Designing Law Apps for Access to Justice10
LAWS 3016Elder Law10
LAWS 3022Family Dispute Resolution10
LAWS 3023Family Law10
LAWS 2005Financial Services Law10
LAWS 2007First Peoples and the Australian Legal System10
LAWS 4012First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic10
LAWS 3024Foundations of Chinese Law10
LAWS 3025Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India10
LAWS 3083Gender and the Law10
LAWS 3028Human Rights and the Asia Pacific10
LAWS 3027Human Rights Law10
LAWS 3029Immigration and Refugee Law10
JUST 3008Independent Study (Law)10
LAWS 3030Information and Data Governance Law and Regulation10
LAWS 3031Insolvency Law and Policy10
LAWS 3032Intellectual Property10
LAWS 3033International Business Transactions Law10
LAWS 4006International Climate Law10
LAWS 3034International Criminal Law10
LAWS 4007International Environmental Law10
LAWS 3036International Trade Law10
LAWS 3039Islam, International Law and Human Rights10
JUST 3011Issues in the Criminal Justice System10
LAWS 3074Judicial Internship10
LAWS 3042Jurisprudence10
LAWS 3079Law, Economics, Ethics and Change10
LAWS 3084Law and Literature10
LAWS 3044Law and Public Policy (Referendum 2023: engaging in constitutional change)10
LAWS 3046Law of Employment10
LAWS 3047Law of International Organisations10
LAWS 3048Law of the Sea10
LAWS 3085Law of War10
LAWS 3075Law's Self-Understanding10
LAWS 3078Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan10
LAWS 3077Legal Internship10
LAWS 4016Legal Research and Methodology10
LAWS 3086Managing Legal Risk in Construction Law10
LAWS 3049Media Law10
JUST 2013Mediation10
LAWS 3050Medical Law10
LAWS 3052Mental Health Law10
LAWS 3053Moot Court10
LAWS 3055Planning and Environment Law10
LAWS 3056Practising in the Public Interest10
LAWS 3061Public Health Law10
LAWS 3063Public International Law10
LAWS 4008Revenue Law10
LAWS 3067Self-Managed Superannuation and Trusts10
LAWS 3068Space Law - Commercial Aspects10
LAWS 3087Sports Law10
LAWS 3080Street Law Clinic10
LAWS 3076Technology, Innovation and the Law10
LAWS 3071Wills and Succession10
LAWS 3072Work Health and Safety Law10

Equivalent Subjects

The equivalent subjects listed below counts toward completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2019 or earlier.

JUST 2002 - Bioethics, replaced by LAWS 2014 Bioethics

The equivalent subjects listed below counts toward completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2021 or earlier.

LAWS 3008 - Civil Procedure and Arbitration (200813), replaced by LAWS 4013 Civil Procedure and Arbitration 
LAWS 3064 - Remedies (200756), replaced by LAWS 4014 Remedies
LAWS 2002 - Constitutional Law (200009), replaced by LAWS 4015 Constitutional Law
LAWS 4001 - Administrative Law (200013), replaced by LAWS 3081 Administrative Law
LAWS 2011 - Property Law (200012), replaced by LAWS 3082 Property Law
LAWS 3059 - Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics (200020), replaced by LAWS 2015 Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics

The subjects listed below count towards completion of the program for students who may have passed subjects in the list in 2022 or earlier.

FINC 1001 - Management Accounting Fundamentals, replaced by ACCT 1010 Management Accounting Fundamentals
JUST 4001 Clinical Legal Placement, replaced by LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic

Replaced Subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2021 or earlier. 

LAWS 3043 - Land Transactions Law (200021)
LAWS 3035 - International Moot Court (200663)
LAWS 4002 - Advanced Constitutional Law (200755)
LAWS 4009 - Transaction Law (200758)
LAWS 3066 - Revenue Law Industry Placement (201007)
LAWS 3073 - Elder Law Industry Placement (201020)
JUST 2009 - Law Economics and Business Ethics (200296)
LAWS 4011 - Law Honours Dissertation (200700)

Please note that the availability of Bachelor of Laws Alternate Subjects may vary from year to year. New subjects may become available and some others discontinued. The School will publish information on which subjects are available in a session.