A challenging and rewarding career that actively focuses on social change and community well-being await those whose skills in empathy and communication lead them to the human services sector.
Our Bachelor of Social Welfare will enable you to develop your skills in social welfare practice with children and young people, in the health and disability sectors and with Indigenous communities. You will gain on the job experience in placements working with individuals, groups, and organizations – helping people resolve problems and improving their outlook.
Graduates of this course will have opportunities to use their transferable skills for a variety of career outcomes in human services – from working directly with people in their homes or facilities to creating policies to improve society.
Career Opportunities
As welfare and community workers in various roles within the community services sector. These include government and non-government positions in fields such as child protection, disability services, housing services, youth work, aged care, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, community engagement, mental health services, and domestic violence services.
Professional Recognition
The course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Graduates are eligible to join ACWA.
Professional Placement
In line with ACWA requirements, students undertake 400 hours of supervised on-the-job training. This is completed in two separate organizations in different fields of practice so that students gain a diversity of experience.
Placements may include working across a variety of client groups, such as older people, or young people and families at the individual, group, organizational or community level of practice. Students may undertake placements in social welfare settings such as child protection, drugs and alcohol, criminal justice, community education, housing, emergency relief, family interventions and domestic violence.
All students must obtain a National Police Check and Work with Children Chec k and most agencies require students to have a driver's license.
Major Areas of Study
Children and Young People provides students with a comprehensive introduction to social welfare practice with children and young people in a range of organizational settings including government and non-government agencies. The latest research is explored to understand the ways in which children and young people are conceptualized and identified for human service practice.
Health and Disability examines health and disability as they impact on people and their life opportunities, as well as issues for social welfare workers negotiating the health and disability care systems.
Indigenous Studies assists students to develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous worldviews and history, as well as identifying culturally appropriate ways of working with Indigenous communities. Students gain an appreciation of the origins and effects of trauma across generations and within particular communities.
Please note that some units in this course are exclusively online.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include essays, research reports, case analysis, assessment of capabilities on field placement, recording of interviewing skills.
Teaching methods
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of a podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Please note: Students who undertake the course online are required to attend one three-day residential school on campus.