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.
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 UNSW, you’ll study Australia’s top-ranked program for Criminology and Criminal Justice (EduRank, 2024), delivered by UNSW Law & Justice – ranked #1 in Australia and #12 in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). A Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice will give you the tools to make a real impact from day one.
Through your studies, you’ll explore big issues like drug policy, organised crime and Indigenous mass incarceration. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of how police, courts and correctional systems operate – and how they influence everyday lives.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a criminologist does, the skills you’ll need, how to become one 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 safety 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’s justice system. As a criminologist, you could specialise in areas like cybercrime, terrorism, youth justice, offender rehabilitation, community programs, victim support 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, courts and law enforcement
- Helping design policies to reduce crime and support rehabilitation
Whether they’re advising police departments, analysing crime trends 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 UNSW’s Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. She explains her pathway into criminology:
“I 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 ‘crime’."
"After going out and practicing as a lawyer, I worked out my passion was not in legal practice 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 essentially introduced me to the world of criminological research.”
Criminal psychologist vs criminologist: What’s 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:
| Criminologist | Criminal psychologist |
Criminologists examine crime from a broader, systemic perspective. They explore how social, economic, psychological and cultural factors influence crime and use data to identify patterns and trends. 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 organisations and justice agencies to understand and reduce crime at a population level. | Criminal psychologists focus on the individual. They study how people think, feel and behave, particularly in relation to criminal acts. As trained psychologists, they work directly with offenders or within law enforcement to assess the mental states, motivations and risk factors of criminals. Criminal psychologists may be involved in criminal profiling, court assessments or treatment programs, often using psychological tools and theories to support investigations and rehabilitation. |
What are the must-have skills of a criminologist?
Criminologists require analytical thinking, research expertise and strong people skills.
Whether you're investigating crime trends or working directly with justice agencies, developing the right capabilities is key to success in this field. You’ll develop these skills through studies in criminology, on-the-job training and continue to develop throughout your career.
Here are some of the essential skills of a good criminologist:
| Soft skills | Professional competencies |
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The harms that we learn about in criminology are a very human thing.
At UNSW, 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, you’ll typically need a formal undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in criminology or a related field such as psychology, sociology or law.
UNSW has been a national leader in legal education and research for more than 50 years. It's 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).
Whether you’re starting out or switching careers, UNSW offers criminology qualifications that give you the skills, knowledge and connections to make a real difference in the world.
“Our 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,” says Emma.
UNSW also integrates career readiness into your studies, with mentoring, job-seeking support and access to a dedicated Law & Justice Career Service – so you’re 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 either start with a related undergraduate degree or transition from another field through postgraduate study. Here’s how each pathway works:
Undergraduate criminologist pathway
- Complete a criminology qualification
Start with a degree in criminology, criminal justice, psychology, sociology or a related social science – like the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UNSW. Study core subjects such as crime theory, justice systems, research methods and behavioural analysis.
- Gain hands-on experience
Gain practical experience through internships, volunteering or research projects during your studies. Build skills in interviewing, data analysis, policy writing and critical thinking.
- Apply for an entry-level role
Apply for entry-level roles in government, community organisations, research institutes 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, policy or international justice.
Postgraduate or career-change criminologist pathway
- Complete a postgraduate criminology qualification
If you’ve already completed an undergraduate degree in another field, or are looking to change careers, you can enrol in a postgraduate criminology program to build field-specific knowledge. At UNSW, the Criminal Justice and Criminology specialisation in the Master of Laws is ideal for those wanting to transition into justice-related work.
Some programs may accept relevant professional experience, such as roles in corrections or community services, 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 – whether in research, policy, intelligence or rehabilitation. Depending on the position, you may also need a Police Check or Working with Children Check.
According to Emma, career-building doesn't begin when you graduate – it’s important to start laying the groundwork while you study.
“Don’t underestimate the importance of the connections you make at university for your future careers!” says Emma.
“While studying, I also encourage students to look for administrative roles in organisations they might like to work, as these can be a great way to get to know a place, its culture and work your way up within an organisation. Once students graduate, 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 important issues.”
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 a strong foundation in criminology and criminal justice, you’ll be well-positioned to pursue diverse career paths across both public and private sectors.
Criminologists work in a wide range of settings – from government departments and police agencies to corrections, community programs, research institutes 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.
| Career | 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, documents and scheduling. |
| Criminologist | Studying crime patterns to inform policy and improve justice systems. |
| Cybercrime | Investigating online offences like hacking, scams 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, violence 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 and managing safety or security risks in various settings |
| Victims Support Services | Providing emotional and practical support to people affected 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 – 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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UNSW’s Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice degree takes three years to complete. If you want to undertake postgraduate study, the Criminal Justice and Criminology specialisation in the Master of Laws will take an additional year to complete.
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Criminologist salaries in Australia can vary depending on your role, experience 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 UNSW, you’ll be in good standing to earn a competitive salary and access strong career outcomes. UNSW graduates have the highest median salaries among Go8 universities (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023). They are consistently recognised for their employability – ranked #1 for career outcomes (AFR Best Universities Ranking, 2024) and named Australia’s most employable students six years in a row (AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2025).
Here’s a snapshot of average salaries in related fields*:
- Intelligence Officer – $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 – international students can absolutely study criminology in Australia. At UNSW, you’ll gain a globally relevant qualification and have the opportunity to 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. It’s important to check any restrictions that apply to work experience, placements or employment after your degree.
To study at UNSW, you’ll 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 you’re 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.
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.
“If 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,” says Emma.
"Once in your degree program, open yourself up to trying new things – doing internships, doing electives that pique your interest. Whatever it is that draws you to criminology, whether it be an experience you’ve had, a program you’ve watched or an injustice that you’ve observed or lived, I’d really encourage students to give it a chance.”
How UNSW will prepare you for your future as a criminologist
At UNSW, you’ll learn from experts in the School of Law, Society and Criminology and the School of Social Sciences, home to some of Australia’s leading voices in justice and social policy. UNSW 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’ll go beyond lectures with hands-on learning experiences that bring criminology to life – from analysing real case studies to visiting courts and correctional centres. Guest speakers, workshops and internships connect you with the people shaping the justice system and give insight into real-world challenges and solutions.
“We also offer programs that take students out of the classroom and into real-world settings, such as our work integrated learning opportunities,” says Emma.
"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.”
As a student, you’ll also have access to UNSW’s leading research centres, including the Centre for Crime, Law and Justice (CCLJ), Gendered Violence Research Network (GVRN), Australian Human Rights Institute, Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) and Kirby Institute.
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