Become an accredited practitioner and create a more socially just world.
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying)† prepares professionals to work with individuals, families, groups and communities across the domains of policy, practice, theory and research. It creates a new pathway for entry into the social work profession and provides opportunities for you to advance in your career and move between different forms of employment.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying)† prepares professionals to work with individuals, families, groups and communities across the domains of policy, practice, theory and research. It creates a new pathway for entry into the social work profession and provides opportunities for you to advance in your career and move between different forms of employment.
The program follows the accreditation requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and delivers requisite knowledge, values and skills for the social work profession. You complete ten 12-unit courses plus two 36-unit (490-hour) field education placements.
In the coursework component you gain a critical understanding of society and how it has developed and is organised; knowledge of social welfare arrangements, their history and organisation, and related law in Australia; and knowledge of the individual, including human behaviour and development, personality development, life cycle stages, family and social networks, physical health and ill-health, mental health, disability, vulnerability and resilience.
Your field education placements (980 hours) provide extensive field education and experience, and enable you to integrate social work theory and practice-based learning in a structured, safe and supported learning environment. You must complete the field education placements to graduate. You may be required to undertake a criminal history check and apply for a Blue Card #. You must have your own means of transport.
As a graduate you will be well prepared to work in government organisations, community agencies and private practice in both local and international contexts. As a practitioner you will be proficient in critically analysing and formulating creative responses to social, political, cultural, historical or gendered disadvantage faced by vulnerable citizens through various modes of practice, such as case management, counselling, policy analysis and development, organisational management, social action, advocacy, community development, education and research.
Depending on your educational history, there are two pathways of entry into this masters program. Generally, applicants will have a completed bachelor degree deemed relevant by the Faculty to social work. Other applicants who hold a bachelors degree without any social, health or behavioural science background, will need to complete prior to entry three specified foundation courses in social work, sociology and psychology. If you are required to complete the prerequisite courses, you can do so either as a Visiting Student or by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Arts. Depending on your course selection, you can complete these requirements across one or two semesters.
Professional recognition
Graduates will be eligible for membership to the AASW and to practice as professional social workers. Membership to the AASW enables you to apply to become a mental health accredited practitioner, which attracts a Medicare rebate for private practitioners.
† Provisionally accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
# Blue Cards are issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. More information on Blue Cards, and how to apply.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
- Students must successfully complete 192 units as specified in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) program structure.
- Prior to entry into the program applicants will be required to submit their current Blue Cards.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Requirements for field education
To complete this program you must successfully complete field education (ie SWK700 Professional Learning I and SWK701 Curriculum Development and Evaluation) for which you are required to obtain a Blue Card (issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian).
Your enrolment in field education will be conditional upon the following:
- your eligibility for a Blue Card at the time of the first enrolment in the program
- maintenance of that eligibility throughout the entire of the program
- acquisition of a Blue Card prior to commencement of field education.
In the event that you become ineligible for a Blue Card, at any time between the date of first enrolment and the date of completion of the program, you will not be able to complete the program.
Please note, while all endeavours will be made to place students in a given semester, this is not guaranteed and students may need to enrol at a later time should a position in an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester.
Field education includes professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake these placements away from the campus at their own expense.
Required courses: (11)
SCS225 Leadership for Learning Communities
SCS266 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS277 Dimensions of Learner Engagement
SCS290 Vocational Education and Training: Philosophy and Practice
SCS701 E-Learning Leader
SWK302 Learning for Sustainability in Schools
SWK401 Human Development and Early Learning
SWK407 Senior Phase Curriculum
SWK700 Teaching Reading and Writing
SWK701 Teaching Mathematics
SWK785 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
Elective course: (1)
Select 1 course from:
SCS201 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts
SCS210 Alternative Schooling Pedagogies
SCS230 Policy, Processes and Professional Practices
SCS278 Contexts of Disability and Differences
SCS295 Responding to Difference: Programming Reporting and Assessment
SWK402 The Special Education Teacher in New Times
Those students interested in cultural diversity and anti-racism will be encouraged to take SCS210 Masters of Social Work Field Education 1 as an elective to complement their required studies in SCS701 Master of Social Work Field Education 2 and SCS290 Social Research.
Those students interested in studying community development and critical practice will be encouraged to take SCS201 Critical Practice with Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis as an elective to complement their required studies in SWK302 Working With Families, SCS266 Understanding Cultural Diversity and SWK403 Engaging Effectively with Aboriginal People.
Those students interested in studying critical social theory and practice will be encouraged to take
SCS230 Community Development and Social Action or SCS295 Critical Social Policy Analysis as an elective to complement their required studies in SCS266 Critical Social Work Practice, SWK302 Masters of Social Work Field Education 1 and SWK403 Master of Social Work Field Education 2.
Those students interested in studying policy, practice and research will be encouraged to take SWK402 Critical Social Work in Health or SCS278 International Community Development and Global Justice as their elective to complement their required studies in SWK403 Indigenous Australia and the State and SCS225 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory.