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Bachelor of Community Welfare

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Online students attend one three-day residential school on campus.

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    BComWelf

  • Course code

    3007268

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee


Overview

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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Session 1 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

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

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

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.
 

Entry requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Language requirements

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 structure

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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Year 1 Session 1

SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
POLT1001 Australian Politics
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Anti-requisites DSGN1001 - Design Fundamentals ART00630 - Design ART10094 - Digital Art and Design I
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1,2
Session1

Year 1 Session 2

WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2,3
Session2
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2,3
Session2
Enrolment information To meet the accreditation standards of these courses, all students are required to meet participation requirements to pass the unit. A record of attendance will be kept. Session 2, 2021: Gold Coast students must attend and participate in compulsory weekly workshops. Online students must attend and participate in compulsory weekly online workshops. Session 3, 2021: Online students must attend and participate in a mandatory online residential from Friday 3th - Sunday 5th December. 9:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm - 4:00pm each day
WELF1002 Community Development
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
SOCI1005 Social Policy
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2

Year 2 Session 1

WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
N/A
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
WELF2001 Field Education I
Session1,2
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
Session1
Pre-requisites WELF1001 - Introduction to Social Welfare AND WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and Practice
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Please note -WELF2001 - Field Education I and WELF3001 - Field Education II , MUST be completed in SEPARATE years for accreditation purposes. In addition to the pre-requisites it is advisable for students to have completed an additional 48 credit points (typically 4 units) in the Bachelor of Social Welfare to be fully prepared for field placement.
Enrolment restrictions Students must submit all pre-placement documents via Sonia as required by the Field Education Team. Following Field Education Team approval a Unit Approval Request must be submitted to enable enrolment.

Year 2 Session 2

WELF2002 Youth Work
Session2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
Session2
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Elective 1
Elective 2

Year 3 Session 1

WELF3002 Issues of Protection
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
N/A
Elective 3
Elective 4

Year 3 Session 2

WELF3005 Planning and Delivering Human Services
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information .
WELF3004 Mental Health
Session2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
N/A
WELF3001 Field Education II
Session1,2
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
N/A
Pre-requisites WELF2001 - Field Education I
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Please note -WELF3001 - Field Education II and WELF2001 - Field Education I, MUST be completed in SEPARATE years for accreditation purposes.
Enrolment restrictions Students must submit all pre-placement documents via Sonia as required by the Field Education Team. Following Field Education Team approval a Unit Approval Request must be submitted to enable enrolment

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes
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
WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2,3
Session2
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2,3
Session2
Enrolment information To meet the accreditation standards of these courses, all students are required to meet participation requirements to pass the unit. A record of attendance will be kept. Session 2, 2021: Gold Coast students must attend and participate in compulsory weekly workshops. Online students must attend and participate in compulsory weekly online workshops. Session 3, 2021: Online students must attend and participate in a mandatory online residential from Friday 3th - Sunday 5th December. 9:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm - 4:00pm each day
SOCI1005 Social Policy
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Elective 1
Year 2, Session 1
SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1,2
Session1
WELF2001 Field Education I
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
Session1
Pre-requisites WELF1001 - Introduction to Social Welfare AND WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and Practice
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Please note -WELF2001 - Field Education I and WELF3001 - Field Education II , MUST be completed in SEPARATE years for accreditation purposes. In addition to the pre-requisites it is advisable for students to have completed an additional 48 credit points (typically 4 units) in the Bachelor of Social Welfare to be fully prepared for field placement.
Enrolment restrictions Students must submit all pre-placement documents via Sonia as required by the Field Education Team. Following Field Education Team approval a Unit Approval Request must be submitted to enable enrolment.
Year 2, Session 2
WELF1002 Community Development
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Elective 2
WELF2002 Youth Work
Session2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
Session2
Year 3, Session 1
WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
N/A
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
POLT1001 Australian Politics
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Anti-requisites DSGN1001 - Design Fundamentals ART00630 - Design ART10094 - Digital Art and Design I
Year 3, Session 2
WELF3005 Planning and Delivering Human Services
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information .
WELF3004 Mental Health
Session2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
N/A
Elective 3
Elective 4
Year 4, Session 1
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
N/A
WELF3001 Field Education II
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
N/A
Pre-requisites WELF2001 - Field Education I
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Please note -WELF3001 - Field Education II and WELF2001 - Field Education I, MUST be completed in SEPARATE years for accreditation purposes.
Enrolment restrictions Students must submit all pre-placement documents via Sonia as required by the Field Education Team. Following Field Education Team approval a Unit Approval Request must be submitted to enable enrolment

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes
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
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
POLT1001 Australian Politics
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Anti-requisites DSGN1001 - Design Fundamentals ART00630 - Design ART10094 - Digital Art and Design I
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1,2
Session1
Year 1, Session 2
WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2,3
Session2
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2,3
Session2
Enrolment information To meet the accreditation standards of these courses, all students are required to meet participation requirements to pass the unit. A record of attendance will be kept. Session 2, 2021: Gold Coast students must attend and participate in compulsory weekly workshops. Online students must attend and participate in compulsory weekly online workshops. Session 3, 2021: Online students must attend and participate in a mandatory online residential from Friday 3th - Sunday 5th December. 9:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm - 4:00pm each day
WELF1002 Community Development
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
SOCI1005 Social Policy
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Year 2, Session 1
WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
N/A
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
WELF2001 Field Education I
Session1,2
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
Session1
Pre-requisites WELF1001 - Introduction to Social Welfare AND WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and Practice
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Please note -WELF2001 - Field Education I and WELF3001 - Field Education II , MUST be completed in SEPARATE years for accreditation purposes. In addition to the pre-requisites it is advisable for students to have completed an additional 48 credit points (typically 4 units) in the Bachelor of Social Welfare to be fully prepared for field placement.
Enrolment restrictions Students must submit all pre-placement documents via Sonia as required by the Field Education Team. Following Field Education Team approval a Unit Approval Request must be submitted to enable enrolment.
Year 2, Session 2
WELF2002 Youth Work
Session2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
Session2
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Elective 1
Elective 2
Year 3, Session 1
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
N/A
Elective 3
Elective 4
Year 3, Session 2
WELF3005 Planning and Delivering Human Services
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information .
WELF3004 Mental Health
Session2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
N/A
WELF3001 Field Education II
Session1,2
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast N/A
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
N/A
Pre-requisites WELF2001 - Field Education I
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Please note -WELF3001 - Field Education II and WELF2001 - Field Education I, MUST be completed in SEPARATE years for accreditation purposes.
Enrolment restrictions Students must submit all pre-placement documents via Sonia as required by the Field Education Team. Following Field Education Team approval a Unit Approval Request must be submitted to enable enrolment
Year 3, Session 3
SWRK5003 Social Policy and Law for Social Work
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
SWRK5001 Social Work Foundations for Practice
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1,3
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
Co-requisites SWRK5002 - Social Work Direct Practice I
Enrolment information Students are required to meet participation requirements in this unit. For Session 3, 2021 all students (Gold Coast and online) must attend an online residential running from Wednesday 10 November to Friday 12 November (week 2), 8.30am to 4.30pm each day.
SWRK5002 Social Work Direct Practice I
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1,3
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3
Co-requisites SWRK5001 - Social Work Foundations for Practice
Enrolment information Students are required to meet participation requirements in this unit. Attendance is compulsory. For Session 3, 2021 all students (Gold Coast and online) must attend an online residential running from Wednesday 17 November to Saturday 20 November (week 3), 8.30am to 4.30pm each day.
Year 4, Session 1
SWRK6001 Social Work across the Lifespan
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Co-requisites SWRK6002 - Social Work in Groups and Communities
Enrolment information All students are required to attend compulsory, weekly workshops for accreditation purposes. This unit integrates and extends knowledge from other units in the Master of Social Work (Prof. Qual.), especially WEL91003/SWRK5001 and WEL91004/SWRK5002.
SWRK6002 Social Work in Groups and Communities
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Co-requisites SWRK6001 - Social Work across the Lifespan
Enrolment information All students are required to attend a compulsory, weekly workshops for accreditation purposes. This unit integrates and extends knowledge from other units in the Master of Social Work (Prof. Qual.), especially WEL91003/SWRK5001 and WEL91004/SWRK5002.
INDG6002 Health and Indigenous Peoples
Session1
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1
Session1
SWRK6003 Research for Social Work
Session1
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1
Session1
Year 4, Session 2
SWRK5004 Social Work Direct Practice II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites SWRK5002 - Social Work Direct Practice I
SWRK6004 Social Work Organisations, Leadership and Management
Session2
Location Domestic International
Online
Session2
Session2
SWRK6005 Social Work Field Placement IIa
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1,2
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2
Session1
Pre-requisites SWRK5006 - Social Work Field Placement Ib
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Students must enrol in both SWRK6005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa AND SWRK6006 - Social Work Field Placement IIb in order to complete this final social work placement. This placement should be completed at the end of your degree.
Enrolment restrictions Students must submit all pre-placement documents via Sonia as required by the Field Education Team. Following Field Education Team approval a Unit Approval Request must be submitted to enable enrolment in SWRK6005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa AND SWRK6006 - Social Work Field Placement IIb
Year 4, Session 3
SWRK6006 Social Work Field Placement IIb
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2,3
Session2,3
Online
Session2,3
Session3
Pre-requisites SWRK6005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa
Enrolment information International onshore students must enrol in the internal offering of this unit. Students must enrol in both SWRK6005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa AND SWRK6006 - Social Work Field Placement IIb in order to complete this final social work placement. This placement should be completed at the end of your degree. Enrolment in this unit in session 1 is restricted and will only be approved in exceptional circumstances.
Enrolment restrictions Students must submit all pre-placement documents via Sonia as required by the Field Education Team. Following Field Education Team approval a Unit Approval Request must be submitted to enable enrolment in SWRK6005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa AND SWRK6006 - Social Work Field Placement IIb.

Note 1:

# double weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units

POLT1001 Australian Politics
SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
WELF1002 Community Development
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
SOCI1005 Social Policy
WELF2001 Field Education I Note 1
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
WELF2002 Youth Work
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
WELF3005 Planning and Delivering Human Services
WELF3004 Mental Health
WELF3001 Field Education II Note 1
Plus any shared minor OR 4 university wide electives.