Bachelor of Commerce
UndergraduateACU-COM-DEG2027
Course information for 2027 intake View information for 2026 course intake
Launch straight into your business career
Explore the foundations of business. Choose your specialisation from areas including accounting, marketing, and HR. This course is co-designed and recognised by industry. It includes certifications and job-ready skills to launch your business career.
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Commerce
About this degree
Upon successful completion, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate the generic business knowledge and specific business discipline knowledge required to commence a career in business in the context of the local and global economic and social environments.
- Apply theoretical knowledge to solving practical business problems taking into consideration ethical insights including the impact of management decision making on workplace wellbeing, impact of business decisions on the economic wellbeing of marginalised groups in society and the role of business on the stewardship of resources
- Analyse, synthesise and communicate business-related issues, problems and solutions for the benefit of business, consumers and society.
- Apply twenty-first century literacies appropriately based on the knowledge of current communications technologies, practices and engagement with diverse groups in society and the understanding of fundamental principles of communication technologies to ensure ongoing self- development and lifelong learning as technologies and associated literacies progress.
Our Bachelor of Commerce has your career goals in mind. You can tailor your degree to your interests and enhance your career opportunities with specialisations in areas such as accounting, marketing, management and human resource management.
Upon graduating you'll be ready to launch straight into your career thanks to our Future Ready employability program, designed to systematically build each of the elements of your personal brand: your professional identity; experience; job-ready skills; and networks.
When you begin, our unique business foundation program, co-created with industry and integrated across all our business courses, assists your transition to university study and provides a solid foundation of business skills. Plus, it helps you gain an understanding of different areas of business, so you can identify your personal interests before choosing your specialisation.
As part of your online study you’ll gain valuable practical experience through your community engagement and professional experience units. In the community engagement unit you’ll work with a not-for-profit organisation over 35 hours and in professional experience you’ll work in the industry for 105 hours. Both can be done wherever you live. You can even utilise your workplace if appropriate. These units set you apart from the pack and will look great on your resume.
Microsoft Excel Associate and Expert certifications are wired into your studies – so you can tick Microsoft certification off your to-do list and get an edge in the job market.
In today’s world, you need professional, technical, and cross-cultural skills. All our units are embedded with the United Nations sustainable goals and you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a virtual intercultural classroom where you will share a project with students from a partner university overseas – all designed to build cultural awareness and communication skills which are vital in the global workplace.
Recommended study pattern
Students are required to complete the Business Foundation units (BUSN104, BUSN112, BUSN113 and ITEC100 or equivalent) prior to progression to level 200 units. Students who complete a minimum of 2 Foundation units may progress to level 200 units with the permission of the Course Coordinator. Students should follow the pattern of unit enrolment set out in the relevant Course Enrolment Guide, unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator. In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator.
To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 240 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:
- 60 cp from Specified Business Units (Part A)
- 20 cp from Core Curriculum Units (Part B);
- 80 cp from Major Units (single major) (Part C);
- 80 cp consisting of any combination of second major, minor or electives (Part D, E and F).
Award requirements
- 60 cp from Specified Business Units
- 20 cp from Core Curriculum Units
- 80 cp from Major Units (single major)
- 80 cp consisting of any combination of second major, minor or electives.
Choose your subjects
Majors
A Major consists of 80 cp. Students must complete at least one major. A Minor consists of 40 cp.
For professional accreditation in Accounting, students must complete both the major and minor in Accounting. Students who do not wish to gain professional accreditation in Accounting may select a second major (80cp) or choose from the minors (40cp) or elective units.
Majors Available:
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Human Resource Management.
Minors Available:
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Human Resources Management.
Electives
- Students can complete up to 80 credit points in elective units
- Students may select elective units at the 200 and 300 level.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$17,006
Indicative total fee $51,018
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Australian Catholic University – So much more
An Australian Catholic University (ACU) education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of human dignity, and advancement of the common good.
ACU aims to transform lives and communities. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom, solve real-world problems, develop their own search for meaning and cultivate strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter.
Opportunities for personal and professional growth are critical to ACU. It is a university of service – so much so that it is built into the curricula. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships or volunteering opportunities.
Learn more about Australian Catholic University
Explore Australian Catholic University courses
- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 33
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 27
How to apply
Australian Catholic University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Australian Catholic University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed English at the year 12 level, or equivalent.
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner. Speak to your course consultant about credit or recognition of prior learning.
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank. This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience. Speak to your course consultant.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
An overall academic IELTS score of 6.0 (with minimum scores of 6.0 in speaking and writing, and 5.5 in listening and reading).
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
Study method requirements
- As part of our Work Integrated Learning program you’ll gain 105 hours of industry placement in your area of specialisation. We have embedded employability into your degree with our Future Ready program where we build on your professional skills each year, supporting you every step of the way. These placements will give you the confidence, knowledge and skills to prepare to fast track your career or move to another career. You’ll learn to apply what you learn online to real life scenarios and you can even utilise your own workplace if you wish.
- As part of your degree you’ll have the opportunity to work with not-for-profit organisations wherever you live with 35 hours of community engagement experience and gain 10 credit points towards your degree.
- You’ll foster knowledge and understanding and its application within communities experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage while applying ethical personal and professional skills developed during your studies at ACU.
Career opportunities
Our graduates can pursue careers as:
- Chartered Accountants
- Human Resource Managers
- Marketing Managers
- Advertising Executives
- Auditors
- Recruitment Consultants
- Personnel Managers
- Market Analysts
- General Managers
- Corporate Training Officers
- Brand Managers.
Professional recognition
This course has AACSB accreditation. This prestigious international accreditation has been awarded to all business courses at the Peter Faber Business School, placing it among the six per cent of business schools worldwide that have this accreditation.
Our commerce specialisations come with a range of relevant credentials. If you graduate with a major or a minor in accounting you may be eligible for membership with CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand , and the Institute of Public Accountants. Choose human resource management and you can become a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute. Marketing graduates, meanwhile, can become graduate members with the Australian Marketing Institute.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2024.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers | Over $128K | Up 18.5% |
| Finance Managers | Over $128K | Up 24.7% |
| Human Resource Professionals | $80K to $99K | Up 24.6% |
| Management Consultants | $99K to $128K | N/A^ |