Back to Find Courses page

Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    4 years full-time; 8 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    BSW

  • Course code

    3007316

  • Credit points

    384

  • Equivalent units

    32

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work is an entry-level, professionally-accredited qualification to practise as a social worker. The course prepares students to work in a diverse range of fields including health and mental health, child and family welfare, cross-cultural work and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, youth work, homelessness, domestic and family violence, disability, drug and alcohol, community development, and advocacy.

Underpinned by core principles of social justice and human rights, the course engages students in contemporary anti-oppressive, decolonised and trauma-informed approaches to social work practice. This high job growth area offers a variety of careers in client service roles, service management, research, strategy and policy development.

Core units within the course cover essential theories, methods and skills for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. These are complemented by foundational studies in Indigenous world views, sociology, politics, human development and social research.

An elective stream provides opportunity for students to pursue their interests and develop knowledge in a range of disciplines, and an optional embedded Honours program is available for those interested in research and pathways to further postgraduate studies and who have maintained a credit average across the first two years of study.  Note: Eligible students who are interested in undertaking the Honours stream in 2023 should consult the Bachelor of Social Work Course Coordinator prior to enrolling in elective units.

Please note: All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). On-campus enrolled students meet this minimum requirement by participating in four units with compulsory attendance. Online students meet this requirement by attending compulsory residential schools conducted at the Gold Coast campus. Units with compulsory participation and on-campus residential schools are identified in the course structure section below (‘note 2’). Students should also refer to the enrolment information for these units.

Course Learning Outcome

Apply social work values, knowledge and skills in practice and research processes to address client needs, organisational goals and social policy change. Honours pathway: Be able to create research outputs that demonstrate research design skills, critical thinking, initiative and judgement in developing new understanding.

Ensure that clients’ needs are addressed holistically and creatively, drawing on relevant theory, research and practice wisdom.

Promote and implement policies and practices to achieve a fair, equitable and efficient allocation of social resources, and identify inappropriate or inequitable policy goals and outcomes.

Ensure that client needs, organisational goals and community expectations of social work services are met in the most appropriate manner, using social work knowledge, skills and resources.

Demonstrate a commitment to continually increase professional knowledge and skills and to continuing education and lifelong learning.

Effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders , including clients, colleagues and managers including within a multi-disciplinary team environment

Apply knowledge of organisational and societal systems and processes to identify inequality and ensure appropriate action is taken so that social barriers, inequality and injustice are reduced.

Students complete 1,000 hours of supervised placement in a human service organisation as part of your course. Please note, students must obtain a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check.

Core units cover sociology, Indigenous world-views, counselling theory and practice, community development introductory, case management and care planning, social research, trauma informed practice, mental health, issues of protection and legal contexts, combined with a significant work placement component.

Students may investigate an area of interest through a choice of four elective units as part of their studies.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3 N/A N/A
Online Term 1, Term 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

This is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards. As a new course in 2021, it has provisional accreditation and will be rolled out incrementally with the 4th year units becoming available in 2024.

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 Social Work, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:

  • the equivalent of 26 core units (336 credit points), and
  • one shared minor (48 credit points), or
  • 4 electives (48 credit points)

Honours

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:

  • 23 core units (288 credit points), and
  • the equivalent of 8 honours units (96 credit points)

Students must also maintain a credit average across the degree to be eligible for this award. 

 

Professional Experience Learning / Field Education

This course includes professional experience learning via field education. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience Field Education page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Exit awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Human Services Studies after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) comprising a minimum of 12 core units (144 credit points) and 4 minor or elective units (48 credit points). 

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Human Services Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising a minimum of 4 core units (48 credit points) and 4 minor or elective units (48 credit points). 

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

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

POLT1001 Australian Politics
Term1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
Term1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term2,4
Term2
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
Anti-requisites AAD71103 - Design Fundamentals ART00630 - Design ART10094 - Digital Art and Design I
WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
Term3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
SOCI1005 Social Policy
Term3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
WELF1002 Community Development
Term4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Term4
Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information All students are required to meet compulsory participation requirements to pass the unit. Gold Coast students must attend weekly on-campus tutorials. Online students must attend a 3 day on-campus residential (8.30 am to 4.30 pm Friday to Sunday inclusive) at either the Coffs Harbour (week 2), Gold Coast (week 3) or Lismore (week 4) campus. A record of attendance will be kept at all tutorials and residentials.

Second Year

WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
Term1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
SWRK2001 Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships
Term1
Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
Enrolment information All students are required to meet participation requirements comprising 42 hours of compulsory attendance at either on-campus tutorials (GC students) or an on-campus residential (online students)
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
Term2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Term2,4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term4
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
Term3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
Term2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,3
Term2,3
Online
Term2,3
N/A
SWRK2002 Social Work Practice II - Teams and Groups
Term4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
SWRK3001 Social Work Practice III - Mental Health
Term4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A

Third Year

SWRK3002 Social Work Practice IV - Organisational Practice

Not currently available
SWRK2005 Social Work Placement I

Not currently available

 Note 1
PSYC2004 Development across the Lifespan
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
SWRK3003 Social Work Practice V - Policy and Community Activism

Not currently available
SWRK3004 Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods

Not currently available

 Note 2
Pre-requisites WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and PracticeWELF2005 - Case Management and Care PlanningWELF2003 - Trauma Informed PracticeSWRK2001 - Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships
Enrolment information Students are required to meet participation requirements comprising 42 hours of compulsory attendance at either on-campus tutorials (GC students) or an on-campus residential (online students)
Elective

Fourth Year

Elective
SWRK3005 Social Work Practice VII - Social Work in Legal Contexts

Not currently available

 Note 2
Enrolment information All students are required to meet participation requirements comprising 42 hours of compulsory attendance at either on-campus tutorials. (GC students) or an on-campus residential (online students)
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
Term2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Elective
Elective
SWRK3010 Social Work Placement II

Not currently available

 Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units from your third year onwards to satisfy the requirements of the Honours Award

Students have the option to complete the Honours pathway if a credit average across the degree has been maintained

Third Year

SWRK3002 Social Work Practice IV - Organisational Practice

Not currently available
SWRK2005 Social Work Placement I

Not currently available

 Note 1
PSYC2004 Development across the Lifespan
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
SWRK3003 Social Work Practice V - Policy and Community Activism

Not currently available
SWRK3004 Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods

Not currently available

 Note 2
Pre-requisites WELF1003 - Counselling Theory and PracticeWELF2005 - Case Management and Care PlanningWELF2003 - Trauma Informed PracticeSWRK2001 - Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships
Enrolment information Students are required to meet participation requirements comprising 42 hours of compulsory attendance at either on-campus tutorials (GC students) or an on-campus residential (online students)
SWRK3005 Social Work Practice VII - Social Work in Legal Contexts

Not currently available

 Note 2
Enrolment information All students are required to meet participation requirements comprising 42 hours of compulsory attendance at either on-campus tutorials. (GC students) or an on-campus residential (online students)

Fourth Year

COMM4006 Research Methods for Arts and Social Sciences I
Term1
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
Term1
COMM4007 Research Methods for Arts and Social Sciences II
Term2
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites COMM4006 - Research Methods for Arts and Social Sciences I
SWRK4003 Social Work Honours Thesis I

Not currently available
SWRK4004 Social Work Honours Thesis II

Not currently available
SWRK4005 Social Work Honours Thesis III

Not currently available
SWRK4006 Social Work Honours Placement II

Not currently available

 Note 1

Note 1:

Triple-weighted unit

Note 2:

Residential School

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
POLT1001 Australian Politics
SOCI1001 Introduction to Sociology
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
WELF1001 Introduction to Social Welfare
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice Note 2
WELF1002 Community Development
SOCI1005 Social Policy
PSYC2004 Development across the Lifespan
WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
SWRK2001 Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships Note 2
SOCI2006 Doing Social Research
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
SWRK2002 Social Work Practice II - Teams and Groups
SWRK3001 Social Work Practice III - Mental Health
SWRK3002 Social Work Practice IV - Organisational Practice
SWRK2005 Social Work Placement I Note 1
SWRK3003 Social Work Practice V - Policy and Community Activism
SWRK3004 Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods Note 2
WELF3002 Issues of Protection
SWRK3005 Social Work Practice VII - Social Work in Legal Contexts Note 2
Students can complete:
Students may choose the Honours option if a credit average across the degree has been maintained, or else complete the following units:

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
WELF3003 Disability and Community Practice
SWRK3010 Social Work Placement II Note 1
AND
one Shared Minor OR 4 Electives
OR
the embedded Honours option:

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
COMM4006 Research Methods for Arts and Social Sciences I
COMM4007 Research Methods for Arts and Social Sciences II
SWRK4003 Social Work Honours Thesis I
SWRK4004 Social Work Honours Thesis II
SWRK4005 Social Work Honours Thesis III
SWRK4006 Social Work Honours Placement II Note 1