Bachelor of Social Work

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
UAC code
103202
ATAR
58.50 for Canberra
Fees (first year)*

$15072 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025
Applications open August 2024
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: to be advised

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

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified Foundation UnitsPSYC100Foundations of Psychology10 cp
  • Specified Foundation UnitsSOCS100Introduction to Sociology10 cp
  • Specified Foundation UnitsHLSC120Indigenous Health and Culture10 cp
  • Social Work UnitsSWTP108Purpose and Context of Social Work and Human Services10 cp
  • Specified Foundation UnitsPSYC101Applications of Psychology10 cp
  • Specified Foundation UnitsSOCS101Global Society and Change10 cp
  • Social Work UnitsSWTP109Human Rights and Social Justice in Social Work and Human Services10 cp
  • Core Curriculum UnitsCore Curriculum Unit 1See the ACU Core Curriculum page for details 10 cp

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Bachelor - AQF Level 7

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.


StatePrerequisites

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.  

Learn more about access schemes 

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’ll 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, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process. 

If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner. 

Learn more about recognition of prior learning 

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.

Find your path into study

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.

Learn more about adjustment factors

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.  

Understand your pathway options 

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. 

Explore the pathways to your future 

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

Average first year fee*

$15072 CSP

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

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.

Explore your options 

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.  

Search our scholarships 

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Canberra

Apply through UAC

UAC code 103202

Direct application

Apply now

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.

 

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