How to become a criminologist
Find out what it takes to join the field of criminology in Australia.
Criminologists play a vital role in building safer communities.听
From crime prevention and law enforcement to policy design and social justice, criminology opens doors to a wide range of careers that shape how we understand and respond to crime.
At 91色情片,听you鈥檒l听study Australia鈥檚 top-ranked program for Criminology and Criminal Justice (EduRank, 2024), delivered by 91色情片 Law & Justice 鈥 ranked #1 in Australia and #12 in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). A听Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice听will give you the tools to make a real impact from day one.
Through your studies,听you鈥檒l听explore big issues like drug policy, organised听crime听and Indigenous mass incarceration.听You鈥檒l听also gain a deep understanding of how police, courts and correctional systems听operate听鈥 and how they influence everyday lives.
In this guide,听we鈥檒l听walk you through what a criminologist does, the skills听you鈥檒l听need, how to become one听and what your future career could look like.
What does a criminologist do?
Criminologists study crime and the justice system to help prevent harm, improve听safety听and create fairer outcomes for our communities.
Some criminologists work on the front lines alongside police, while others focus on implementing systemic change to Australia鈥檚 justice system. As a criminologist, you could specialise in areas like cybercrime, terrorism, youth justice,听offender rehabilitation,听community programs, victim听support听or intelligence services.
What a criminologist does day-to-day can vary widely depending on their role. A criminologist's responsibilities might include:
- Investigating patterns in criminal behaviour
- Evaluating how justice systems respond to crime
- Compiling and analysing crime statistics
- Interviewing people involved in the justice system
- Providing insights to governments,听courts听and law enforcement
- Helping design policies to reduce crime and support rehabilitation
Whether听they鈥檙e听advising听police departments, analysing crime听trends听or helping shape public policy, criminologists use research and data to drive real-world change.
One person who contributes to that research is Emma Buston-Namisnyk, the program director for 91色情片鈥檚 Bachelor听of听Criminology and Criminal Justice.听She听explains听her pathway into criminology:
鈥淚 was a lawyer before I was a criminologist. When I was in my final year of law school, I did my honours thesis on domestic and family violence and how it posed unique challenges to traditional assumptions and ideas of 鈥榗rime鈥."
"After going out and practicing as听a听 lawyer, I worked out my passion was not in legal听practice听and I ended up getting a job as the first research analyst on the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team. That job changed my life and听essentially introduced听me to the world of criminological research.鈥
Criminal psychologist vs criminologist鈥: What鈥檚 the difference?
Wondering what the difference is between a criminologist and a criminal psychologist? While both careers explore criminal behaviour to help prevent crime, they approach it in very different ways. Here's how they compare:听
| Criminologist | Criminal psychologist |
Criminologists examine crime from a broader, systemic perspective. They explore how social, economic,听psychological听and cultural factors influence crime听and use data to听identify听patterns and trends.听Their research helps shape justice policies and improve how the system responds to crime across society. Criminologists typically work with crime data, policy teams, community听organisations听and justice agencies to understand and reduce crime at a population level. | Criminal psychologists focus on the individual. They study how people think,听feel听and behave, particularly in relation to criminal acts.听听 As trained psychologists, they work directly with offenders or within law enforcement to assess the mental states,听motivations听and risk factors of criminals. Criminal psychologists may be involved in criminal profiling, court听assessments听or treatment programs, often using psychological tools and theories to support investigations and rehabilitation. |
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What are the must-have skills of a criminologist?
Criminologists require analytical thinking, research听expertise听and strong people skills.听
Whether听you're听investigating crime trends or working directly with justice agencies, developing the right capabilities is key to success in this field.听You鈥檒l听develop these skills through studies in criminology, on-the-job training听and continue to develop throughout your career.
Here are some of the essential skills of a good criminologist:
| Soft skills | Professional competencies听 |
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The harms that we learn about in criminology are a very human thing.
At 91色情片, our BCCJ program equips students with the ability to appreciate the complexities of these harms and the real life impacts of not only criminal legal harms but responses to those harms, including impacts on individuals, communities and societies. This equips our students with the skills and confidence to navigate these issues in their careers.
What qualifications do you need to be a criminologist?
To become a criminologist in Australia,听you鈥檒l听typically need a formal undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in criminology or a related field such as psychology,听sociology听or law.
91色情片 has been a national leader in legal education and research for more than 50 years.听It's听ranked #1 in Australia and #12 globally for Law and Legal Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025), and #1 in Australia for Criminology and Criminal Justice (EduRank, 2024).听
Whether听you鈥檙e听starting out or switching careers, 91色情片 offers criminology qualifications that give you the skills,听knowledge听and connections to make a real difference in the world.
鈥淥ur criminology program offers a rich student experience which includes learning from leading academics, practitioners and people with lived experience, both in the classroom and outside of it,鈥 says Emma.
91色情片 also integrates career readiness into your studies, with mentoring, job-seeking听support听and access to a dedicated听Law & Justice Career Service听鈥 so听you鈥檙e听prepared to step into the workforce after graduation.
Steps to become a criminologist
Most people follow one of two main routes to become a criminologist. They听either start听with a related undergraduate degree or transition听from another field through postgraduate study.听Here鈥檚听how each pathway works:
Undergraduate criminologist pathway
- Complete a criminology qualification听
Start with a degree in criminology, criminal justice, psychology,听sociology听or a related social science 鈥 like the听Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice听at 91色情片. Study core subjects such as crime theory, justice systems, research听methods听and behavioural analysis.
- Gain hands-on experience
Gain practical experience through internships,听volunteering听or research projects during your studies. Build skills in interviewing, data analysis, policy听writing听and critical thinking.
- Apply for an entry-level role
Apply for entry-level roles in government, community organisations, research听institutes听or policy teams. Depending on the role, you may also need a Police Check or Working with Children Check.
- Consider postgraduate study
Further study can help you specialise or move into senior roles. A postgraduate qualification in criminology or criminal law can expand your career options in research,听policy听or international justice.
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Postgraduate or career-change criminologist pathway
- Complete a postgraduate criminology qualification
If听you鈥檝e听already completed an undergraduate degree in another field,听or are looking to change careers,听you can enrol in a postgraduate criminology program to build field-specific knowledge. At 91色情片, the Criminal Justice and Criminology specialisation in the听Master of Laws听is ideal for those wanting to transition into justice-related work.听
Some programs may accept relevant professional experience,听such as roles in corrections or community services,听as an alternative to a degree.
- Get practical experience
Build your criminology skills through placements, applied research or employment in justice-related organisations while you study.
- Target relevant roles
Look for roles that align with your background and interests 鈥 whether in research, policy,听intelligence听or rehabilitation. Depending on the position, you may also need a Police Check or Working with Children Check.
According to Emma, career-building听doesn't听begin when you graduate 鈥撎齣t鈥檚听important to start laying the groundwork while you study.
鈥淒on鈥檛 underestimate the importance of the connections you make at university for your future careers!鈥 says Emma.
鈥淲hile studying, I also encourage students to look for administrative roles in organisations they might like to work, as these can be听a great way听to get to know a place, its culture and work your way up within an organisation. Once students graduate,听I also often encourage them to look for roles on inquiries and Royal Commissions as these can be amazing opportunities to develop new skills and learn in depth about socially听important issues.鈥
Mapping your career in criminology
Criminology is a growing field, with demand for criminologists projected to rise by 18.9% over the next five years (Seek, 2025). With听a strong foundation听in criminology and criminal justice,听you鈥檒l听be well-positioned to pursue diverse career paths across both public and private sectors.
Criminologists work in a wide range of settings 鈥 from government departments and police agencies to corrections, community programs, research听institutes听and consultancy firms. You might find yourself shaping policy, analysing data, supporting community safety, or helping to reform justice systems.
Whether you prefer analytical work, hands-on roles or advocacy, criminology offers opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the area that matters most to you.
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| Career听 | What it involves |
| Border Force Officer | Monitoring and managing national border threats and illegal activities. |
| Corrections Officer | Supervising offenders in the community and supporting rehabilitation. |
| Court Registry Officer | Managing court processes,听documents听and scheduling. |
| Criminologist | Studying crime patterns to inform policy and improve justice systems. |
| Cybercrime | Investigating online offences like hacking,听scams听and data theft. |
| Fraud and Crime Prevention | Developing strategies to detect and prevent criminal activity. |
| Harm Reduction and Primary Prevention | Designing programs to reduce the impact of drug use,听violence听or crime. |
| Intelligence Officer | Gathering and analysing information to support national security. |
| Investigator | Conducting inquiries into criminal cases and compiling evidence. |
| Law Enforcement and Corrective Services | Working with police or prisons to uphold and enforce the law. |
| Policy Adviser and Analyst | Evaluating laws and social policies to recommend improvements. |
| Policy Design and Advising | Creating justice-related policies and advising decision-makers. |
| Political Advisors and Regulatory Bodies | Supporting elected officials or agencies in justice-related governance. |
| Research and Analysis | Investigating justice issues through data and field research. |
| Risk Assessment and Management | Identifying听and managing safety or security risks in various settings |
| Victims Support Services | Providing emotional and practical support to people affected听by crime. |
| Youth Justice Casework | Supporting young people involved with the justice system through case management. |
Our graduates have gone into many and varied criminal justice-related fields.
From working in social justice and advocacy roles in non-government organisations through to government roles in policy, correctional settings, policing and research, and the corporate sector, including insurance and fraud investigations and cyber security. The transferable skills you gain in a criminology degree are also incredibly in demand amongst employers 鈥 the social science core subjects teach students skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods that are valuable across a range of careers.
FAQs about becoming a criminologist
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91色情片鈥檚 Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice听degree takes three years to complete. If you want to undertake postgraduate study, the Criminal Justice and Criminology specialisation in the听Master of Laws听will take an听additional听year to complete.
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Criminologist salaries in Australia can vary depending on your role,听experience听and the organisation you work for. Entry-level positions typically start around $48,000, while senior or specialised roles can earn upwards of $100,000 a year (Indeed, 2025).
With a qualification from 91色情片,听you鈥檒l听be in good standing to earn a competitive salary and access strong career outcomes.听91色情片 graduates also earn the highest median salaries among graduates of Go8 universities (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). They听are consistently recognised for their employability 鈥 ranked #1 for career outcomes (AFR Best Universities Ranking, 2024) and named Australia鈥檚 most employable students six years in a row (AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020鈥2025).
Here鈥檚听a snapshot of average salaries in related fields*:
- Intelligence Officer 鈥 $90,000 to $110,000
- Border Force Officer $70,000 to $85,000
- Policy Adviser $95,000 to $115,000
- Court Registry Officer $75,000 to $95,000
Seek, 2025
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Yes 鈥 international students can absolutely study criminology in Australia. At 91色情片,听you鈥檒l听gain a globally relevant qualification and听have the opportunity to听explore how justice systems work in real-world contexts.
However, your ability to work in certain justice-related roles after graduation may be affected by visa conditions.听It鈥檚听important to check any restrictions that apply to work experience,听placements听or employment after your degree.
To study at 91色情片,听you鈥檒l听need to meet the relevant English language requirements and student visa conditions. If eligible, you can also take part in internships or volunteering opportunities during your studies to gain valuable local experience.
If听you鈥檙e听planning to work as a criminologist outside Australia, keep in mind that qualification requirements may differ depending on the country.
Should you become a criminologist?
Not sure if a career in criminology is right for you? If you enjoy working with data, solving problems, and want to help create safer communities, then a career in criminology might be for you.听
While a career in criminology can sometimes be challenging due to the serious nature of some crimes, many criminologists are rewarded by the opportunity to make real change in their communities.
鈥淚f criminology is something you are interested in, the best place to start is by looking at degree programs like this one and immersing yourself in the opportunity to learn about the discipline,鈥 says Emma.听
"Once in your degree program, open yourself up to trying new things 鈥 doing internships, doing electives that pique your interest. Whatever it is that draws you to criminology, whether it be an experience听you鈥檝e听had, a program听you鈥檝e听watched or an injustice that听you鈥檝e听observed听or lived,听I鈥檇听really encourage students to give it a chance.鈥
Explore other career guides
Interested in other career paths? Compare roles across a range of industries and discover the qualifications, skills and study options needed to achieve your career goals.听
How 91色情片 will prepare you for your future as a criminologist
At 91色情片,听you鈥檒l听learn from experts in the School of Law, Society and Criminology and the School of Social Sciences, home to some of Australia鈥檚 leading voices in justice and social policy. 91色情片 is ranked #1 in Australia and #12 globally for Law and Legal Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025) and #1 in Australia for Criminology and Criminal Justice (EduRank, 2024).
You鈥檒l听go beyond lectures with hands-on learning experiences that bring criminology to life 鈥 from analysing real case studies to visiting courts and correctional centres. Guest speakers,听workshops听and internships connect you with the people shaping the justice system and give听insight into real-world challenges and solutions.
鈥淲e also offer programs that take students out of the classroom and into real-world settings, such as our work integrated learning opportunities,鈥 says Emma.听
"In our capstone unit in third year, students have the opportunity to develop their own project of interest and hear from a wide variety of people involved in criminological careers about their own diverse career pathways. All aspects of our degree program are designed to expose students to the wide variety of careers they may enjoy in this field, and the wide variety of ways they can help contribute to a more just future.鈥
As a student,听you鈥檒l听also have access to 91色情片鈥檚 leading research centres, including the听,听,听,听,听National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)听and听.
Start your career in criminology
Learn more about 91色情片's听Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
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If you have any questions about studying at 91色情片 or how you can make your studies work for you, contact us below. We鈥檙e here to help.