Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

What you will study

To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth six credit points.

Core units

Complete the following units:

• Foundations for Mental Health Practice
• Capstone Project
• Social Work Through the Lifespan
• Disadvantage and Service Provision B
• Social Work Direct Practice Skills B
• Fieldwork 1 (18 credit points)
• Juvenile Justice and Child Protection
• Social Work Intervention Models and Skills B
• Groups and Communities
• Human Rights, the Law and Social Justice
• Fieldwork 2 (18 credit points)
• Social Work in Practice Five (three credit points)
• Social Work in Practice Six (three credit points)

Entry requirements

This course is offered under two admission rules.

Rule A

You have completed a three-year undergraduate qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) from a recognised tertiary institution in a discipline other than Social Work.

Your degree must include 48 credit points (1 year of full-time study, or part-time equivalent) in any Social Science discipline. You must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification and have completed at least one year of full-time equivalent study in Social and Behavioural Sciences. UNE uses the definition from the Australian Association of Social Workers (ASWEAS) that social and behavioural sciences refer to topics that focus on psychology and human development and the relationship between individuals and society. Courses accepted as social science are defined by the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS). Other courses that are considered social science include:

• Community Development
• Counselling
• Criminology
• Education
• Indigenous Studies
• International Relations
• Public Health
• Social Welfare
• Community Services
• Nursing
• Social Policy
• Mental Health and Wellbeing

If you are not sure if your degree constitutes a social science, please contact the University's Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Course Coordinator to discuss.

Rule B

You have an international qualification in social work that does not meet the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) eligibility for membership.

Permission for admission on this basis must be granted by the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Course Coordinator.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.

Individual unit advanced standing

If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your study within the last ten years, you can apply for individual unit advanced standing.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate commitment to the social work profession's three key value areas that are integral to social work practice: respect for persons, social justice, and professional integrity.
• Create knowledge of, respect for, and ability to work professionally with varied social, ethnic, cultural and religious groups that make up Australian society, with a particular emphasis on marginalised and Indigenous people.
• Interpret and assess the impacts of disadvantage, disability and trauma upon the health and well-being of people and their implications for practice responses.
• Analyse and effectively respond to the rapidly changing social and environmental issues that impact the lives of individuals within a given community at local, national and international levels.
• Demonstrate skills for in-depth analysis, reflection, judgement and application of theories for ethical engagement with individuals, families, groups, and communities across a range of contexts.
• Generate research to advance, apply and maintain evidence-informed social work practice to deal effectively with complex issues affecting families, individuals, groups and communities.
• Acquire and manage lifelong learning skills with firm preparation for professional and career development.

Career outcomes

Social workers are employed in a diverse range of government, non-government and community agencies such as:

• Hospitals and Community Health Centres
• Early Intervention, Child Protection Programs and Family Support Services
• Schools
• Justice and Human Rights
• Housing
• Mental Health
• Community Development and Advocacy Agencies

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year fee in 2026: $9,504 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year fee in 2026: $28,320 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time: $373

The costs will depend on the units you choose to study, as the cost of individual units varies. “Estimated fees” are provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking a study load of 48 credit points in the first year of this course. For courses that require fewer than 48 credit points, the fees indicated are based on the total credit points needed for the completion of that course.

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

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

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 unit you're enrolled in.
• Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

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

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.

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