Bachelor of Youth Work
Course information for - 2025 entry
Offered at 1 locations
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- CRICOS Code
- 084316G
- Fees (first year)*
- $28728
- Start dates
- February 2026, July 2026, February 2027, July 2027
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 (EAL) or 20 in any other English. |
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
If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate.
Find the equivalent qualification for your country
You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy , including the English Language Proficiency requirements.
If you’re an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you will need to apply for admission through your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and be assessed on your performance in these studies (i.e. your ATAR or equivalent):
an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)
an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.
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
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
- Unit fee: $3591
- Average first year fee: $28728
- Estimate total cost: $86184
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
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.”