Bachelor of Social Work
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 2 locations
- Canberra
- Strathfield
- Canberra
- Strathfield
- Duration
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- UAC code
- 103202
- ATAR
- 58.50 for Canberra
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: to be advised
This is a four year course with an embedded Honours program.
Overview
If you’re interested in human rights, social justice, and changing lives for the better, then you should consider social work. As a social worker you will improve individual and community wellbeing by addressing challenges such as inequality, discrimination, violence and other types of harassment. An embedded honours program is available from third year for high-achieving students.
There has never been a better time to study Health Sciences, with State and Territory governments and other external bodies offering various scholarships and support at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Check out these initiatives and others, and don’t forget to look at ACU’s own scholarships.
Professional experience
You will be required to complete 1000 hours of supervised field education and training.
Work placement
Field education placement is a core element of a student's development of a professional identity. It provides an opportunity for you to observe, question and model social work behaviour and to translate social work theory into practice, and to apply knowledge drawn from other subjects.
You will complete 35 hours of community engagement project work in the second year of this degree. In the third and fourth years of the degree, you’ll complete 1000 hours of professional experience field placements in social work and/or human service settings in a range of organisations, supervised by a social work practitioner.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Social Work degree is an 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 (ASWEAS).
All graduates of the course are eligible for membership of the AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers).
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- community development
- group work
- mental health
- hospital social work
- child protection
- family work
- case management
- policy analysis and development
- research
- social action
- program planning
- community welfare sector
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Social Work, a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed 230 cp from units, and 10 cp from Core Curriculum units may exit from the course with the following qualification:
- Bachelor of Human Services
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
Australian Capital Territory | English (any) - Major (T) (130+) or ESL - Major (T) (141+) |
New South Wales | English Standard (Band 3) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) (Band 4) |
Queensland | English (Units 3 & 4, C) |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners or with ACU College, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
There is a range of masters degree programs in advanced areas of practice in both social work and related disciplines (e.g. management, public health, mental health, therapeutic interventions). Opportunities for higher degree research programs include MPhil and for those with honours, PhD.
Fees
Course costs
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year (excludes Honours course). Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Ms Natalie Morton
Senior Lecturer, Social Work, School of Allied Health
Ms Natalie Morton has been curious about narrative ways of working since the late 1980s. When working as a social worker and family therapist, she first heard about Michael White and David Epston and their contemporary, innovative and post-modern therapeutic response to supporting people experiencing emotional and psychological distress, marginalisation and vulnerability. Since then, whilst working as an independent narrative therapist, Ms Morton was fortunate to participate in training with Michael White during the 1990s and 2000s, and later completed a Masters in Narrative Therapy and Community Work in 2015. She is in the final stages of PhD studies, with the PhD topic exploring parent experiences after permanent child removal. Currently working as a senior lecturer at Australian Catholic University, Natalie strives to express narrative ways of working in all the areas of her practice.