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The day-to-day responsibilities of social workers vary as they interact with people experiencing violence, mental illness, health issues, addiction and personal crises. As such, being equipped with a postgraduate social work qualification gives these professionals the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles.

There are currently over 35,000 social workers in Australia in 2023. Labour Market Insights predicts the job growth for social workers will increase by 23.2 per cent by 2026, making now the ideal time to explore a career in social work.

The benefits of studying a postgraduate social work course

• Become qualified to help more people. Social work is a broad area where you can help different groups of people facing a variety of circumstances. By gaining advanced skills and knowledge, your resume can look more impressive to prospective employees.
• Utilise transferable skills. If you have previously worked in the health or social care space, you likely have transferable skills that will be useful to you during your social work studies and career. Similarly, you can use your social work skills in other areas of health and other industries too.
• Qualify for leadership roles. Studying a postgraduate course in social work will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience to be eligible to apply for leadership and specialist roles.

Levels of social work postgraduate study

Graduate Certificate in Social Work

A Graduate Certificate in Social Work includes four units and typically takes six months of full-time study or 12 months of part-time study to complete. Students learn from evidence-based research, develop the skills to become a leader in social work and address complex situations in the industry.

Graduate Diploma in Social Work

Studying a Graduate Diploma in Social Work takes around 12 for full-time study or longer for part-time study. Students complete 8 units with core units and a selection of electives. This course allows professionals to explore advanced social work theory and practice.

Master of Social Work

A Master of Social Work is the most popular postgraduate social work course to study because there are limited graduate certificates and graduate diplomas available. A master’s degree in social work takes two years of full-time study or up to four years for part-time study. All students completing this degree undertake an in-person placement to gain hands-on experience alongside theory-based units.

A career in social work

To become a qualified social worker in Australia, you must complete a relevant university degree accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). After gaining the required qualifications, social workers can work in hospitals, private practices, schools and aged care facilities. The average salary for a social worker in Australia in 2023 ranges from $85,000 to $100,000 per year. Postgraduate study in social work enhances job prospects and career opportunities for professionals in this highly valued industry.

Ready to start a career in health or social care? Explore the nursing, psychology, public health, counselling, leadership and mental health courses available on GlobalHealth Education. 

AASW accredited social work courses