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:

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. The latest research is explored to understand the ways in which children and young people are conceptualised and identified for human service practice. 

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. 

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. 

Please note that some units in this course are only available to study by distance education.

Southern Cross University also offers the AASW-accredited Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) for graduates who have undertaken prior study in the social sciences, psychology, or related fields. Graduates of this degree will qualify as social workers in Australia and may also be eligible to apply to work as social workers overseas.

Graduate AttributeCourse 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

Commonwealth supported


International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold Coast Session 1 $19,520 ($2,440 per unit) 082681B

Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Social Welfare degree a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. one (1) major from Part B; or
    3. all units listed in Part C plus four (4) electives chosen from any undergraduate degree offered by the University.
  2. To be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Social Welfare a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (192 credit points) comprising:
    1. any units listed in Part A, B or C
  3. 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.
  4. To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Social Welfare a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising:
    1. any units from Part A
  5. 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

Title Level of learning Note

Part A

POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology Introductory
COM10001 - Effective Communication Introductory
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan Intermediate
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare Introductory
BHS00130 - Community Development Introductory
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice Introductory
CSL00113 - Field Education I Intermediate Note 1
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research Intermediate
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning Intermediate
SOC00112 - Social Policy Introductory
CSL10242 - Trauma Informed Practice Intermediate
LAW00059 - Welfare Law Intermediate
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection Intermediate

Part B

Part C

SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change Intermediate
SOC00107 - Planning and Delivering Human Services Intermediate
CSL00114 - Field Education II Advanced Note 1

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
It is possible to accelerate your studies if you intend to complete the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) after successful completion of the Bachelor of Social Welfare.
Year 1, Session 1
POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology Introductory
COM10001 - Effective Communication Introductory
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
Year 1, Session 2
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare Introductory
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice Introductory
BHS00130 - Community Development Introductory
1st Major unit OR University Wide Elective
Year 2, Session 1
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan Intermediate
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning Intermediate
CSL00113 - Field Education I Intermediate Note 1
Year 2, Session 2
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling Intermediate
SOC00112 - Social Policy Introductory
LAW00059 - Welfare Law Intermediate
2nd Major unit OR University Wide Elective
Year 3, Session 1
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection Intermediate
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research Intermediate
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change Intermediate
3rd Major OR University Wide Elective
Year 3, Session 2
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation Intermediate
CSL00114 - Field Education II Advanced Note 1
4th Major unit OR University Wide Elective
Year 3, Session 3
WEL91003 - Social Work Foundations for Practice Introductory
WEL91004 - Social Work Direct Practice I Introductory
WEL91002 - Social Policy and Law for Social Work Introductory
Year 4, Session 1
WEL92001 - Social Work across the Lifespan Intermediate
WEL92002 - Social Work in Groups and Communities Advanced
IHE03386 - Health and Indigenous Peoples Intermediate
Year 4, Session 2
WEL92003 - Research for Social Work Advanced
WEL91005 - Social Work Direct Practice II Intermediate
WEL92004 - Social Work Organisations, Leadership and Management Advanced
WEL92005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa Advanced Note 1
Year 4, Session 3
WEL92006 - Social Work Field Placement IIb Advanced

Title Level of learning Note
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on.
Year 1, Session 2
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare Introductory
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice Introductory
BHS00130 - Community Development Introductory
1st Major unit OR University Wide Elective
Year 2, Session 1
POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology Introductory
COM10001 - Effective Communication Introductory
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
Year 2, Session 2
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling Intermediate
SOC00112 - Social Policy Introductory
CSL00113 - Field Education I Intermediate Note 1
Year 3, Session 1
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning Intermediate
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan Intermediate
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research Intermediate
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection Intermediate
Year 3, Session 2
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation Intermediate
LAW00059 - Welfare Law Intermediate
2nd Major unit OR University Wide Elective
3rd Major unit OR University Wide Elective
Year 4, Session 1
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change Intermediate
4th Major unit OR University Wide Elective
CSL00114 - Field Education II Advanced Note 1

Title Level of learning Note
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on.
Year 1, Session 1
POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology Introductory
COM10001 - Effective Communication Introductory
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
Year 1, Session 2
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice Introductory
BHS00130 - Community Development Introductory
1st Major unit OR University Wide Elective
2nd Major unit OR University Wide Elective
Year 1, Session 3
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare Introductory
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan Intermediate
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning Intermediate
CSL00113 - Field Education I Intermediate Note 1
Year 2, Session 2
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling Intermediate
LAW00059 - Welfare Law Intermediate
3rd Major unit OR University Wide Elective
4th Major unit OR University Wide Elective
Year 2, Session 3
SOC00112 - Social Policy Introductory
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation Intermediate
Year 3, Session 1
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection Intermediate
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change Intermediate
CSL00114 - Field Education II Advanced Note 1

Title Level of learning Note
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on.
Year 1, Session 1
POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology Introductory
COM10001 - Effective Communication Introductory
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
Year 1, Session 2
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare Introductory
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice Introductory
BHS00130 - Community Development Introductory
1st Part B Major unit
Year 2, Session 1
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan Intermediate
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning Intermediate
CSL00113 - Field Education I Intermediate Note 1
Year 2, Session 2
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling Intermediate
SOC00112 - Social Policy Introductory
LAW00059 - Welfare Law Intermediate
2nd Part B Major unit
Year 3, Session 1
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection Intermediate
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research Intermediate
3rd Part B Major unit SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change Intermediate
4th Part B Major unit
Year 3, Session 2
5th Part B Major unit SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation Intermediate
6th Part B Major unit
7th & 8th Part B Major unit CSL00114 - Field Education II Advanced Note 1

Title Level of learning Note
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on.
Year 1, Session 1
POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology Introductory
COM10001 - Effective Communication Introductory
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
Year 1, Session 2
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare Introductory
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice Introductory
BHS00130 - Community Development Introductory
1st University Wide Elective
Year 2, Session 1
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan Intermediate
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning Intermediate
CSL00113 - Field Education I Intermediate Note 1
Year 2, Session 2
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling Intermediate
SOC00112 - Social Policy Introductory
LAW00059 - Welfare Law Intermediate
2nd University Wide Elective
Year 3, Session 1
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection Intermediate
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research Intermediate
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change Intermediate
3rd University Wide Elective
Year 3, Session 2
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation Intermediate
CSL00114 - Field Education II Advanced Note 1
4th University Wide Elective

Notes

Note 1: Double-weighted unit