Master of Social Work

What you will study

The course is structured in two parts, comprising 96 credit points: Part A. Advanced preparatory studies for social work practice and Part B. Social work practice applications.

Part A. Advanced preparatory studies for social work practice

You must complete the following units

• Orientation to practice
• Foundations for social work practice (12 credit points)
• Research for social work practice (12 credit points)
• Assessment and Intervention: Working with groups and communities
• Social work practice in health and mental health
• The Australian welfare state and social policy

Part B. Social work practice applications

You must complete the following units, either using the coursework option or the research option.

• Supervised professional practice 1 (18 credit points)
• Supervised professional practice 2 (18 credit points)

Entry requirements

Qualifications

• An Australian bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with at least a credit (60%) average and at least one year of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences.
• A master's program with at least a pass (50%) average qualifies graduates to register and practice in Allied Health, Education, Medicine or Nursing.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Analyse and evaluate ethical issues in practice and apply ethical decision-making frameworks that respect cultural diversity and multicultural communities.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour and develop metacognitive skills that include critical and self-reflection in the context of the social work decision-making process.
• Engage in continuing professional development and lifelong learning.
• Apply the principles of social justice and human rights to social work practice.
• Evaluate and critique the social welfare system, laws and policies to improve social work outcomes at the individual and community level.
• Promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their cultures.
• Apply theories of human behaviour and development, as well as health and well-being, to resolve social work dilemmas and issues.
• Locate, appraise and apply current best evidence in social work practice.
• Identify broader historical and current structural disadvantages to promote social justice.
• Use culturally sensitive communication practices for effective inter-professional and collaborative engagement.
• Select from specific practice elements and techniques to assess and respond to meet individual, family, group and community needs.
• Manage information and communication by relevant legislation and in keeping with principles of confidentiality, informed consent and accountability.

Career outcomes

This course prepares you for the diverse career opportunities in social work. You can work in hospitals, mental health programs, government departments, community, human service and non-profit organisations. You may choose to specialise in working with specific populations, such as young people, victims of family violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or LGBTQI communities or those affected by addiction. You can also choose to drive change on a large scale, with roles in policy or research.

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $9,314 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative 2025 first-year fee: $29,300 (Domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study (eight units).

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per the courses you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.