Bachelor of Social Work
Course information for - 2025 entry
International
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 2 locations
- Canberra
- Strathfield
- Canberra
- Strathfield
- Duration
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- CRICOS Code
- 084790C
- IELTS
- 7.0 minimum overall score (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands)
- Fees (first year)*
- $26992
- Start dates
- February 2025, February 2026, February 2027
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
International applicants
Applicants require the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate. Applicants must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy and require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Honours
The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) program is embedded into years 3 and 4 of the Bachelor of Social Work (Pass) program. To be eligible to apply for admission to the honours program, a student must have completed 160 cp from years 1 and 2 of the Bachelor of Social Work pass degree, with a grade point average of at least 5.5 on the ACU seven point scale.
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 international applicants
If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed.
Find out more about English language programs
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
- Unit fee: $3374
- Average first year fee: $26992
- Estimate total cost: $107968
The tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.
Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.
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
International applicants
Direct application
Apply nowInformation on the application procedure
International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre.
Deferment
Yes. See Defer your offer.
Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.
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.