Course summary
The Bachelor of Social Welfare provides the theoretical and practical foundation for work in the human services industry. During their studies, students gain skills in case management, community development, counselling, social research, policy work, advocacy, and grief and loss counselling. Particular emphasis is placed on social justice and human rights as the basis for social welfare practice.
The course articulates with a range of VET awards. It can also provide a pathway to the University’s Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).
The Bachelor of Social Welfare provides the theoretical and practical foundation for work in the human services industry. During their studies, students gain skills in case management, community development, counselling, social research, policy work, advocacy, and grief and loss counselling. Particular emphasis is placed on social justice and human rights as the basis for social welfare practice.
The course articulates with a range of VET awards. It can also provide a pathway to the University’s Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).
Majors available are:
Ageing enables social welfare students to gain knowledge and skills for effective practice with older people in a range of organisational settings. An emphasis is placed on opportunities for practitioners to facilitate healthy ageing and to support older people’s independence living in the community. Topics include advocacy, social planning, healthy ageing, aged care services, volunteering, and legal issues impacting on older people.
Children and Young People provides students with a comprehensive introduction to social welfare practice with children and young people in a range of organisational settings including government and non-government agencies. Students explore the latest research to understand the ways in which children and young people are conceptualised and identified for human service practice. Topics include advocacy, social planning, youth work, engaging with children, children’s rights, and supporting young people’s emotional and social wellbeing.
Health and Disability examines health and wellbeing as they impact on people and their life opportunities, as well as issues for social welfare workers negotiating the health and disability care systems. Topics include advocacy, social planning, the sociology of health and illness, working with people with disabilities living in the community, complementary medicine, and the mental health of Australian Indigenous people.
Indigenous Studies assists students to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous world views and history, as well as identifying culturally appropriate ways of working with Indigenous communities. Students gain an appreciation of the origins and effects of trauma across generations and within particular communities. Studies include advocacy, social planning, and healing responses to trauma as experienced by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Please note that some units in this course are only available to study by distance education.
Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
---|---|
Intellectual rigour | Understand the social, cultural, economic and political contexts of social welfare practice and the implications of these for working with clients, workers and community services. |
Creativity | Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programs, projects and other activities with clients, which may include individuals, families, groups or communities. |
Ethical practice | Practise social welfare in an ethical manner, in accordance with the values and ethics of the profession. |
Knowledge of a discipline | Use one’s own skills and knowledge appropriately and reflectively with clients, colleagues, employers and the wider community. |
Lifelong learning | Become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners. |
Communication and social skills | Communicate with a broad spectrum of people and organisations using appropriate techniques and media organisations. Plan, organise and carry out work autonomously and as part of a team. |
Cultural competence | Communicate constructively in a manner that is respectful of the diverse cultures in which we work and live. |
In line with ACWA requirements, students undertake 400 hours of supervised on-the-job training. This is completed in two separate organisations in different fields of practice so that students gain a diversity of experience.
Placements may include working across a variety of client groups, such as older people, or young people and families at the individual, group, organisational or community level of practice. The social welfare settings such as child protection, drugs and alcohol, criminal justice, community education, housing, emergency relief, family interventions and domestic violence.
The course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Graduates are eligible to join ACWA.
Course overview
Course code
3007268
Course abbreviation
BSocWelf
Credit points
288
Equivalent units
24
Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
Duration
3 years full-time
Availability details
Domestic
Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
---|---|---|---|
Gold Coast | Session 1 | 331162 | 051361 |
Online | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
Fee information
International
Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
---|---|---|---|
Gold Coast | Session 1 | $17,920 ($2,240 per unit) | 082681B |
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
-
To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Social Welfare degree a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units comprising:
- all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
- all units listed in Part B; and
- one (1) major from Part C; or
- all units listed in Part D plus four (4) electives chosen from any undergraduate degree offered by the University.
- To be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Social Welfare a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units comprising any units listed in Part A, B, C or D listed in the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.
- A candidate who, while enrolled for the Bachelor of Social Welfare, has completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Social Welfare may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Social Welfare following withdrawal from the Bachelor degree.
- To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Social Welfare a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units comprising any units from Part A or B listed in the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.
- A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor or Social Welfare, has completed the requirements for the Diploma of Social Welfare may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Social Welfare following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor degree.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 1, Year 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
Session 2, Year 1 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 2 | |||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 3 | |||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
Session 2, Year 3 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 4 | |||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
Choose either a Part C major or Part D and 4 Electives option | |||
First Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 2, Year 4 | |||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
Second Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 1, Year 5 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Introductory | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 5 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
Third Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 1, Session 6 | |||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
Fourth Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | |||
Session 2, Year 6 | |||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 2, Year 1 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 2 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 3 | |||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 3 | |||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
Session 1, Year 4 | |||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 4 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 5 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Introductory | ||
First Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 2, Year 5 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
Session 1, Year 6 | |||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
Second Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 2, Year 6 | |||
Third Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Fourth Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 1, Year 7 | |||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 1, Year 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 2 | |||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
First University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
Second University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 1, Year 3 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Introductory | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
Third University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 2, Year 3 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 | |
Fourth University Wide Elective | Note 2 |
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 1, Year 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 1 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 2 | |||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Children and Young People Major Option | |||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Children and Young People Major Option | |||
Session 1, Year 3 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Introductory | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Children and Young People Major Option | |||
Session 2, Year 3 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
WEL30001 - Youth Work | Intermediate | ||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 1, Year 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 1 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 2 | |||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Ageing Major Option | |||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Ageing Major Option | |||
Session 1, Year 3 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Introductory | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Ageing Major Option | |||
Session 2, Year 3 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Ageing Major Option | |||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 1, Year 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 1 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 2 | |||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
SOC20003 - Society, Health and Illness | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Health and Disability Major Option | |||
Session 1, Year 3 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Introductory | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Health and Disability Major Option | |||
Session 2, Year 3 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
WEL30002 - Disability and Community Practice | Intermediate | ||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 2, Year 1 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 2 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
Session 1, Year 3 | |||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
First Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Second Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 2, Year 3 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
Third Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Fourth Unit From: Part C Major OR University Wide Elective | Note 2 | ||
Session 1, Year 4 | |||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Introductory | ||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 1, Year 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
Session 2, Year 1 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
Session 1, Year 2 | |||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Indigenous Studies Major Option | |||
Session 2, Year 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Indigenous Studies Major Option | |||
Session 1, Year 3 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Introductory | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Indigenous Studies Major Option | |||
Session 2, Year 3 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
1 unit from: Indigenous Studies Major Option | |||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Notes
Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |
Note 2: | University Wide Elective is any unit offered within the undergraduate schedule of units. Please check you meet the pre requisite requirements. |
Unit groups
Children and Young People Major Option
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
CYS20001 - Understanding Children and Childhood | Advanced | ||
CYS20002 - Engaging with Children and Young People | Advanced | ||
CYS20003 - Children's Rights: Policy into Practice | Advanced | ||
CYS20004 - Strengthening Young People's Social and Emotional Wellbeing | Advanced | ||
CYS20005 - Supporting Young People's Health and Safety: Perspectives on Drugs, Alcohol and Sexual Health | Advanced |
Health and Disability Major Option
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
HLT10598 - Introduction to Complementary Medicine | Introductory | ||
CUL00409 - The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples | Introductory |
Ageing Major Option
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
CSL10553 - Ageing in Contemporary Society | Introductory | ||
CSL10554 - Aged Services | Introductory | ||
CSL10555 - Healthy Ageing I | Introductory | ||
CSL10556 - Healthy Ageing II | Intermediate | ||
CSL10557 - Introduction to Volunteering | Intermediate | ||
CSL10559 - Legal Issues in Health and Ageing | Intermediate |
Indigenous Studies Major Option
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
CUL00401 - Indigenous World-Views | Introductory | ||
CUL00409 - The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples | Introductory | ||
CUL00420 - History of Invasion of Aboriginal Nations | Advanced | ||
HEA10200 - Trans- and Intergenerational Trauma | Introductory | ||
HEA10204 - Secondary Traumatisation | Introductory |