Bachelor of Social Work

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

• Academic Admission requirements (Band 3)

  All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Cert IV;
  • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Undergraduate Certificate;
  • Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;*
  • University Preparation Course;*
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course; or*
  • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

  * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

  For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

• English Language requirements (Band 5)

  In accordance with the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), international applicants for this accredited course are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0).  Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.  Alternative acceptable tests are as follows:

  • IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
    • 24 for listening
    • 24 for reading,
    • 27 for writing, and
    • 23 for speaking

  Note:  English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.

  Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

  • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
  • Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;
  • Aboriginal Student Intake Test;
  • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

• Academic Admission requirements (Band 3)

  All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Cert IV;
  • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Undergraduate Certificate;
  • Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;*
  • University Preparation Course;*
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course; or*
  • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

  * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

  For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

• English Language requirements (Band 5)

  In accordance with the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), international applicants for this accredited course are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0).  Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.  Alternative acceptable tests are as follows:

  • IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
    • 24 for listening
    • 24 for reading,
    • 27 for writing, and
    • 23 for speaking

  Note:  English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.

  Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

  • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
  • Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;
  • Aboriginal Student Intake Test;
  • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at South West or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time at South West or Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at South West or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time at South West or Online

Course Structure

K41|7

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Course notes

Important course notes

• Non standard timetable requirements

  Students who elect to study online will be required to attend for face-to-face, classroom-based activities for a minimum of 20 days (140 hours) spread over the four years of the course. This is a requirement set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for accredited programs that are offered online. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible for membership to AASW.

• Clinical or professional work placement requirement

  Students are required to undertake two 14-week social work field placements.

• Membership

  Graduates are eligible to apply for membership with Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Course learning outcomes

1. Apply broad discipline coherent knowledge of the role and value of social work in addressing social inequalities to build sustainable communities through a variety of social work practices which are informed by human rights values and social justice.
2. Communicate social work knowledge and ideas clearly, coherently and with independence.
3. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and social work practice development, including reflective thinking skills and innovative practice through continued professional development.
4. Demonstrate interpersonal skills, global outlook and cultural awareness when collaborating in professional settings and with culturally diverse groups, including Indigenous cultural competence.
5. Think creatively to apply social work knowledge effectively in practice with individuals, groups and communities in diverse contexts.
6. Use critical thinking to explore knowledge of human behaviour and society, as well as social, cultural, political, legal, economic and global contexts of social work practice to generate and evaluate complex ideas.
7. Use digital technologies and information literacy to evaluate relevant research knowledge which informs decision making in social work practice.
8. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social work professional values and ethics in decision making in a socially sustainable way.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at South West

Semester 2: Study full-time at South West

Course Structure

K41|7

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Course notes

Important course notes

• Non standard timetable requirements

  Students who elect to study online will be required to attend for face-to-face, classroom-based activities for a minimum of 20 days (140 hours) spread over the four years of the course. This is a requirement set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for accredited programs that are offered online. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible for membership to AASW.

• Clinical or professional work placement requirement

  Students are required to undertake two 14-week social work field placements.

• Membership

  Graduates are eligible to apply for membership with Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Course learning outcomes

1. Apply broad discipline coherent knowledge of the role and value of social work in addressing social inequalities to build sustainable communities through a variety of social work practices which are informed by human rights values and social justice.
2. Communicate social work knowledge and ideas clearly, coherently and with independence.
3. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and social work practice development, including reflective thinking skills and innovative practice through continued professional development.
4. Demonstrate interpersonal skills, global outlook and cultural awareness when collaborating in professional settings and with culturally diverse groups, including Indigenous cultural competence.
5. Think creatively to apply social work knowledge effectively in practice with individuals, groups and communities in diverse contexts.
6. Use critical thinking to explore knowledge of human behaviour and society, as well as social, cultural, political, legal, economic and global contexts of social work practice to generate and evaluate complex ideas.
7. Use digital technologies and information literacy to evaluate relevant research knowledge which informs decision making in social work practice.
8. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social work professional values and ethics in decision making in a socially sustainable way.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

• AUD $12,200 - Commonwealth supported estimated 1st year indicative fee ¹

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Career Opportunities

There are many areas you can seek employment in with this qualification. Possible future job titles could be Community Activist, Community Development Officer, Mental Health Worker, Human Service Manager, Child Protection Officer, Policy Research Officer, Hospital Social Worker, Community Health Worker, Family Support Worker, Disability Advocate, or Counsellor.

Possible future job titles

Community Development Officer, Mental Health Worker, Human Service Manager, Child Protection Officer, Policy Research Officer, Hospital Social Worker, Community Health Worker, Family Support Worker, Disability Advocate, Counsellor

Similar courses to consider

• Bachelor of Psychology
• Bachelor of Counselling
• Bachelor of Youth Work
• Bachelor of Social Science

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

• Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
  Students who have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent of higher in the first five semesters may be invited to undertake Honours by transferring to the Bachelor of Social Work Honours.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

• AUD $39,500 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee ¹

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Career Opportunities

There are many areas you can seek employment in with this qualification. Possible future job titles could be Community Activist, Community Development Officer, Mental Health Worker, Human Service Manager, Child Protection Officer, Policy Research Officer, Hospital Social Worker, Community Health Worker, Family Support Worker, Disability Advocate, or Counsellor.

Possible future job titles

Community Development Officer, Mental Health Worker, Human Service Manager, Child Protection Officer, Policy Research Officer, Hospital Social Worker, Community Health Worker, Family Support Worker, Disability Advocate, Counsellor

Similar courses to consider

• Bachelor of Psychology
• Bachelor of Counselling
• Bachelor of Youth Work
• Bachelor of Social Science

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

• Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
  Students who have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent of higher in the first five semesters may be invited to undertake Honours by transferring to the Bachelor of Social Work Honours.