Social workers play an essential role in the nation’s healthcare systems, helping those in need to access services, providing therapeutic and advocacy support, offering leadership and developing social policies. Social workers support individuals, families and communities in various settings including hospitals, government services and private agencies.
Social workers are compassionate, resilient professionals who play a vital role as advocates and case managers, and offer advice to vulnerable individuals and communities.
Whether you’re already working as a social worker and want to expand your skills and knowledge, or you’re seeking the qualifications to move into the profession, a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will get you there. Let’s explore why.
What is a Master of Social Work (Qualifying)?
A Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course provides specialised skills, in-depth knowledge and hands-on industry experience. Depending on the education provider, a course includes units on topics such as:
- theoretical approaches to social work
- ethical and legal frameworks
- trauma-informed care
- working with diverse communities
- working with young people and families
- group work
- leadership and management
- social policy
- working with Indigenous clients
- community development
Field education placement units also form an important part of these master’s courses. Students must complete 1,000 hours in at least two areas of social work practice such as aged-care facilities, mental health facilities, community centres or child and family services.
All students (whether full- or part-time) must complete the same number of hours. Field education placement is a key component of these courses as it allows students to develop practical skills in a real-world environment to graduate as confident and capable social workers.
Jacinta Rogers graduated with a Master of Social Work (Qualifying). “The year before I started my master’s, I gained my first role after graduating from a dual psychological science/criminology and criminal justice degree. I was working with a grassroots organisation, directly case-managing clients. Before this, I had worked in the homeless and residential out-of-home care sectors.”
Jacinta felt her undergraduate courses didn’t fully prepare her for case management work with clients. “I loved the field and knew I wanted to forge a career in social work, so enrolling in the master’s was a logical step.
“The course helped me understand the impact of trauma on the developing brain. Developing a practice framework underpinned by various political, ethical and moral learnings was also particularly interesting.”
5 benefits of studying a Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
Studying social work at a master’s level allows students to build advanced social work skills. Of course, there are many other benefits to completing a Master of Social Work (Qualifying):
1. Become an accredited mental health social worker
A Master of Social Work (Qualifying) gives students the opportunity to earn a Mental Health credential in social work through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Thanks to advocacy efforts by the AASW, this accreditation allows social workers to offer services under Medicare, significantly enhancing the accessibility of mental health support in the Australian community.
The credentialing process, endorsed by the federal government and conducted through the AASW, opens doors for social workers and allows them to provide a range of essential services, broadening their professional scope and impact in mental health care.
2. Enjoy increased employability
According to the Australian Government, the nation’s healthcare and social assistance industries have been growing steadily for 20 years and are projected to increase significantly in the future. More than 2 million people are employed in hospitals, medical services, allied health centres, and aged care, residential and childcare facilities. By 2026, it’s expected more than 2.2 million will work in these industries.
Job and Skills Australia reports that 43,800 social workers are employed in Australia, with a yearly employment growth of 2,400 people.
A search of SEEK shows the typical salary for a social worker in Australia is between $85,000 and $100,000 a year. There is a projected job growth of 23.2 per cent by 2028 as more social workers are needed nationwide. Skilled and accredited social workers will be in demand in the future.
3. Gain Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
A master’s is an investment, both financially and in terms of time, but it’s worth noting that some Master of Social Work (Qualifying) courses offer RPL. This reduces the length and cost of the course, sometimes by a significant amount.
For example, for the University of Canberra’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course, prospective students who have completed a Bachelor of Social Welfare or Bachelor of Community Services course and have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience may be eligible to receive a credit for up to 25 per cent of the master’s course.
4. Enjoy AASW membership
Master of Social Work (Qualifying) courses are accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the professional accreditation body for Australia’s social workers. Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course graduates are eligible for membership to AASW, which regulates the social work profession, establishing training, ethics and practice standards.
Many employees require their social work staff to have this membership. For students making a career change into social work, AASW membership gives them a competitive advantage when looking to enter the industry.
5. Receive an internationally recognised qualification
For Australian social workers wanting to move and work overseas, accreditation with AASW is definitely an advantage. AASW-recognised social work qualifications are well respected worldwide, and New Zealand’s social work body recognises the Australian accreditation.
Jacinta says one of the reasons she enrolled in a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course was because she was considering working as a social worker in the UK. She believed the qualification might help with registration there.
What can I do with a Master of Social Work (Qualifying)?
You do not require a master’s qualification to become a social worker. However, the advanced qualification has many advantages.
A Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will not only help your social work practice, but it will also open opportunities to work in various other careers and specialised roles. Qualified social workers can also gain employment as child safety officers, youth justice mental health workers, policy officers and policy advisors.
A master’s will also help you take on or work towards more senior and management roles such as a senior mental health worker, senior social worker, clinical manager, educator and social work lecturer.
Study social work with GlobalHealth Education's university partners
Why study social work? The role social workers play in our healthcare systems is incredibly important. Social work can be a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives. A Master of Social Work Online will elevate your career and help you make a difference.
University of Canberra’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying) allows you to study anywhere, anytime, in an immersive online environment. You’ll gain job-ready skills that will allow you to respond to the complex needs of people and groups. The online environment is supportive, and field education placements give you the capabilities you need to start working with confidence as soon as you graduate.
To discover more about how to become a social worker, and find out whether you’re eligible to study a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course, enquire about the course below to speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor today.
