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Bachelor of Social Welfare

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Distance education students attend one three-day residential school at the Gold Coast campus

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    BSocWelf

  • Course code

    3007268

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

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).

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.

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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1, Session 2 331162 051361
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.

Entry requirements

Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds who have less than 2 years of high school education in Australia or other English speaking country must be able to demonstrate proficiency of English with an IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 across each of the bands of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Credit for prior learning

Candidates who have completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Social Welfare may be granted advanced standing of up to sixteen (16) units in the Bachelor of Social Welfare.

Course requirements

  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.

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 Level of learning 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
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

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning 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
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

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning 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 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

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning 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 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

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning 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 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

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

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

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Compulsory:
SOY10108 Advocacy and Change Intermediate
SOC00107 Planning and Delivering Human Services Intermediate
CSL00114 Field Education II Advanced Note 1
WEL30001 Youth Work Intermediate
Choice of three (3) units from the following:
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

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Compulsory:
SOY10108 Advocacy and Change Intermediate
SOC00107 Planning and Delivering Human Services Intermediate
CSL00114 Field Education II Advanced Note 1
Choice of four (4) units from the following:
CUL00409 The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples Introductory
CUL00420 History of Invasion of Aboriginal Nations Advanced
CUL00401 Indigenous World-Views Introductory
HEA10200 Trans- and Intergenerational Trauma Introductory
HEA10204 Secondary Traumatisation Introductory

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Compulsory:
SOY10108 Advocacy and Change Intermediate
SOC00107 Planning and Delivering Human Services Intermediate
CSL00114 Field Education II Advanced Note 1
WEL30002 Disability and Community Practice Intermediate
SOC20003 Society, Health and Illness Intermediate
Choice of two (2) units from the following:
CMM10580 The Australian Health Care System Introductory
HLT10598 Introduction to Complementary Medicine Introductory
CUL00409 The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples Introductory

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