Bachelor of Youth Work and Criminal Justice

VU course code:ABYCLevel of study:Undergraduate

Domestic only

ATAR

Not required

Duration

3 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

Footscray Park Campus

Intakes

View all intakes

Overview

Support young people to break the cycle of disadvantage and transform their futures, with a Bachelor of Youth Work and Criminal Justice from Victoria University.

The Bachelor of Youth Work and Criminal Justice prepares you to work with young people who are at risk of – or already involved in – the justice system. This unique degree equips you with the skills and real-world experience to make a lasting impact in communities where youth work and criminal justice intersect.

You’ll learn how to support young people facing complex challenges such as trauma, mental health issues, substance use, disability and systemic disadvantage. With a strong focus on trauma-informed and rights-based practice, you’ll build the tools to advocate, empower and reconnect young people with their communities.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop a deep understanding of the justice system in Australia, and how early intervention, rehabilitation and community support can change life trajectories. Two professional placements will ensure you graduate career-ready for roles such as:

youth justice and diversion programs
community support and outreach
policy and advocacy
courts, corrections and rehabilitation services.

Be part of a course that empowers you to support young people and lead meaningful change.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Critically review their knowledge and practice of youth work and its role in empowering vulnerable young people that may be at risk of connecting to the juvenile justice system;
Analyse, implement and evaluate the role and significance of youth work in diverse social, political and economic contexts;
Articulate their knowledge and skills in diverse contexts regarding youth work and criminal justice policy, practice and management;
Contextualise generic knowledge and skills that enable professional effectiveness in youth work and broader community settings including criminal justice settings;
Demonstrate broad and in-depth knowledge and skills for working with young people in community settings;
Clearly articulate the social and political dimensions of disadvantage, in particular how it relates to young people;
Develop, implement and evaluate a range of leadership functions and skills in a variety of youth and criminal justice settings.
: Victoria University believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity. Studying with us means you’ll be learning in an environment that values community empowerment.
Victoria University received the highest rating of five stars for cultural diversity by the Good Universities Guide. Our students feel fortunate to learn in a setting that has such a rich representation of cultures.
VU also works to address refugee issues, tackle diversity and social inclusion issues and improve the health and social wellbeing of the region. We are proud of our cultural diversity initiatives and projects with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities.
: Achieve your full potential with The Learning Hub, which helps you develop your confidence, academic ability, and study skills.
Benefit from in-person mentoring and study sessions, along with a range of digital learning modules that you can access anytime.
Get help from our online, 24/7 support service to polish your assignments before you submit, and receive guidance on writing, referencing, maths and more.
Read more about The Learning Hub

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:
Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)
an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE
an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.
Admission criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Human Services, Justice or Police Administration, Corrections, Legal support or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 6 27.3%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
NA NA
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
12 54.5%
(D) Work and Life experience <5 <5
International students 0 0.0%
All students 22 100%
"<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 calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	6	27.3%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study	<5	<5
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	12	54.5%
(D) Work and Life experience	<5	<5
International students	0	0.0%
All students	22	100%

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Additional information

Students will require a Working with Children Check to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site link to obtain additional information: http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Youth Work and Criminal Justice students will be required to complete:

288 credit points of Core studies including 24 credit points of Capstone studies.

After you are accepted into your course, you will need to enrol in your course units.

During enrolment, use your course delivery plan to understand the structure and requirements of your course.

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Careers

This course will prepare you for a career in the following sectors:

juvenile justice
local government
police community liaison
residential youth work
drug and alcohol work
Corrections Victoria
family violence work.

Demand in these areas is high, improving your chances of finding your ideal job after graduation.

Intakes

Melbourne

On campus – Melbourne Footscray Park Campus

Semester 1 - Block 1

Course starts 15 February 2027

Applications close07 February 2027

Semester 2 - Block 1

Course starts 26 July 2027

Applications close18 July 2027

Apply via VTAC if you are:

in Year 12 or
applying to multiple universities

VTAC course code 4301011151

VTAC late applications are due by 30 October 2026

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.