Bachelor of Youth Work
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 1 locations
- Melbourne
- Melbourne
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- VTAC code
- 1200211491
- ATAR
- 58.50 for Melbourne
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: to be advised
Overview
Want to make a difference in the lives of young people? Youth workers improve young people’s social and personal development, helping them establish a voice and sense of place in their communities.
This course responds to a community need for highly trained youth workers to work with young people. It’s an inclusive program that will provide you with both theoretical insights and the practical skills needed to become an effective and empathetic youth worker.
Study with us to empower the vulnerable and make a positive difference.
Professional experience
You will be required to complete 500 hours.
Work placement
You will gain practical, professional experience in youth work and make valuable connections in the sector by completing two field placements units.
In the first field placement (200 hours) you will have the opportunity to develop your emerging youth work skills in a supported, community-engaged environment.
In the second unit, you will complete 300 hours of field placement in an approved youth service or agency. In this final placement, you will engage comprehensively in the programs, service delivery and daily tasks of the host organisation.
Professional recognition
This degree is accredited by Youth Workers Australia (YWA).
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- local government youth work
- youth advocacy
- youth and family mediation
- student support officers in schools
- youth counselling and welfare services
- youth engagement
- youth health education
- youth liaison and outreach work
- youth policy making
- social work
Industry partnerships
ACU works with a variety of industry partners.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Youth Work, a student must complete 240 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
Students who have successfully completed 40 cp of Youth Work units may exit with the Non-Award Certificate in Youth Work.
Students who meet the requirements for the Diploma in Youth Work may exit with that award.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
International students must meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
New South Wales | Assumed knowledge: 2 units of English (any) (Band 3) |
Victoria | Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL |
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.
Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:
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
Bachelor degree graduates may be eligible to progress to honours study in social sciences in the Bachelor of Arts Honours degree or and then to a range of postgraduate research programs e.g. Masters of Philosophy or 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. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Dr Jen Couch
Senior Lecturer, Social Sciences (VIC)
Dr Jen Couch is a senior lecturer in youth work. Joinng ACU in 2005 with a professional background in international community development, youth work and working with displaced and marginalised communities particularly in refugee contexts and in South Asia. Her youth work practice has involved working with young people in a variety of contexts – homelessness, trauma, resettlement, and family and sexual violence.
Dr Couch is passionate about social resilience and how to strengthen and rebuild following experiences of community upheaval, violence, and trauma. Her experience as a qualitative researcher and practitioner offers a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and practical challenges facing vulnerable and marginalised communities. Published widely in the area of young people, communities and marginalisation, she is particularly interested in working in hopeful and positive ways to change social inequalities and exclusion, having undertaken the first longitudinal ethnographic study to explore refugee young people and homelessness in Australia.
Testimonial
“I enjoyed that all the lecturers and teachers were from the industry with firsthand knowledge of the sector. Being able to pick their brains about the industry put myself in a great position moving forward.”