Course summary

The Bachelor of Community Welfare provides you with the theoretical and practical foundations for work in the human services sector. You will 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. Core units focus on counselling, case management, mental health, human services, research, youth work, disability and development. You may choose from a range of units.

We'll help harness your empathy and enhance your communication skills with a view to delivering great outcomes across community welfare practice. You will also gain on-the-job experience through extensive placements, working with individuals and organisations that share your commitment and are working to improve people's lives.

The course articulates with a range of VET awards and is a pathway to the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) which fulfils the academic pre-requisites for registration as a social worker.

The Bachelor of Community Welfare provides you with the theoretical and practical foundations for work in the human services sector. You will 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. Core units focus on counselling, case management, mental health, human services, research, youth work, disability and development. You may choose from a range of units.

We'll help harness your empathy and enhance your communication skills with a view to delivering great outcomes across community welfare practice. You will also gain on-the-job experience through extensive placements, working with individuals and organisations that share your commitment and are working to improve people's lives.

The course articulates with a range of VET awards and is a pathway to the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) which fulfils the academic pre-requisites for registration as a social worker.

Course Learning Outcome

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.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programs, projects and other activities with clients, which may include individuals, families, groups or communities.

Practise social welfare in an ethical manner, in accordance with the values and ethics of the profession.

Use one's own skills and knowledge appropriately and reflectively with clients, colleagues, employers and the wider community.

Become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners.

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.

Communicate constructively in a manner that is respectful of the diverse cultures in which we work and live.

In line with ACWA requirements, you complete 400 hours of supervised on-the-job training. This is completed in two separate organisations in different fields of practice so that you 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. You may undertake placements in social welfare settings such as child protection, drugs and alcohol, criminal justice, community education, housing, emergency relief, family interventions and domestic violence.

All students must obtain a National Police Check and Working with Children Check and most agencies require students to have a driver's licence.

The course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Graduates are eligible to join ACWA.

Course overview

Course code

3007268

Course abbreviation

BComWelf

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
Coffs Harbour Session 1 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Session 1 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported

International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold Coast Session 1 $26,800 ($3,350 per unit) 102202H

Course requirements

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

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Community Welfare, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 20 core units (240 credit points), and
  • 1 shared minor (48 credit points), or
  • 4 university wide elective units (48 credit points) 

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Community Welfare after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points).

Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Community Welfare after completing the equivalent of 8 core units (96 credit points).

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
 

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 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
SOCI1001 - Introduction to Sociology
POLT1001 - Australian Politics
CRTV1002 - Create: Innovate: Change
INDG1001 - Indigenous World-Views
Year 1, Session 2
WELF1001 - Introduction to Social Welfare
WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and Practice
WELF1002 - Community Development
SOCI1005 - Social Policy
Year 2, Session 1
WELF2005 - Case Management and Care Planning
SOCI2006 - Doing Social Research
WELF2001 - Field Education I Note 1
Year 2, Session 2
WELF2002 - Youth Work
WELF2003 - Trauma Informed Practice
Elective 1
Elective 2
Year 3, Session 1
WELF3002 - Issues of Protection
WELF3003 - Disability and Community Practice
Elective 3
Elective 4
Year 3, Session 2
WELF3005 - Planning and Delivering Human Services
WELF3004 - Mental Health
WELF3001 - Field Education II Note 1
Year 3, Session 3
SWRK5003 - Social Policy and Law for Social Work
SWRK5001 - Social Work Foundations for Practice
SWRK5002 - Social Work Direct Practice I
Year 4, Session 1
SWRK6001 - Social Work across the Lifespan
SWRK6002 - Social Work in Groups and Communities
INDG6002 - Health and Indigenous Peoples
SWRK6003 - Research for Social Work
Year 4, Session 2
SWRK5004 - Social Work Direct Practice II
SWRK6004 - Social Work Organisations, Leadership and Management
SWRK6005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa
Year 4, Session 3
SWRK6006 - Social Work Field Placement IIb

Notes

Note 1: # double weighted unit