Updating Results

Charles Sturt University

  • 24% international / 76% domestic

Bachelor of Social Work

  • Bachelor

Social work is the ultimate job helping people. Start your career in community services with our Bachelor of Social Work - taught by experts and accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers. You can choose to undertake your social work education online or on campus, with dedicated support at every step.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
4 - 8 years full-time
Study Mode
In person, Online
Intake Months
Mar, Jul
Domestic Fees
$11,496 per year
ATAR
65

About this course

Overview

Social work is the ultimate job helping people. Start your career in community services with our Bachelor of Social Work - taught by experts and accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers. You can choose to undertake your social work education online or on campus, with dedicated support at every step. Master social work ethics, principles and frameworks, then bring your social work skills to life on professional placements.

As a qualified social worker you can make a profound difference across a wide range of social welfare agencies. You could also choose to work in youth justice, social advocacy, human rights, case management, counselling, individual and family work, group and community work, practice with Indigenous Australians, child protection, aged care, disability, mental health, community development or corrections. The choice is yours. Use your social work practice to become a changemaker in the lives of individuals, families and communities.

If you want to work for NSW Health after graduating, then you could be eligible for a Tertiary Health Study Subsidy. They help cover university fees, technology and travel expenses or other associated personal costs that pop up as you study. If successful, you could be one of 12,000 students supported with up to $12,000 when you work with NSW Health after graduating.

Hear more from our Academics who are researching what they are passionate about to make a change and create a world worth living in.

This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Selection rank: 65

Learn about how our selection ranks are calculated (including ATARs and adjustment factors).

View the course profile for this course.

  • Minimum ATAR requirement (including adjustment factors)OR
  • Successful completion of two University level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studiesOR
  • A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification undertaken post-secondary schoolingOR
  • 50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualificationOR
  • Successful completion of a Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studiesOR
  • Successful completion of the Charles Sturt Indigenous Access ProgramOR
  • Successful application via the Schools Recommendation Scheme

Integrated Bachelor of Social Work

  • Meeting one of the requirements as set below. AND
  • English Language Proficiency(ELP) requirements as set below. AND
  • Concurrent enrolment with TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003) in a course that will lead to completion of a CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services.

Articulated Bachelor of Social Work

Students may also be admitted to the course on the basis of a completed accredited Diploma in the human services discipline, including, but not limited to those listed below:

  • Diploma of Community Services
  • Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs)
  • Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health)
  • Diploma of Community Services (Case Management)
  • Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling)
  • Diploma of Community Services (Mental Health)
  • Diploma of Community Services Work
  • Diploma of Community Development
  • Diploma of Counselling
  • Diploma of Disability
  • Diploma of Youth Work OR
  • Other completed Diploma in the human services discipline, as assessed as appropriate by the Course Director AND English Language Proficiency(ELP) requirements as set above.

English Language Proficiency requirements apply. International students who have not completed an AQF Certificate IV or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to an AQF Level 7 degree course in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic IELTS test upon application.

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

What you will study

For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.

Intensive school

You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.

Career pathways

When you graduate from your social work course, you'll be ready to explore a wide range of career outcomes, including:
  • Case manager
  • Community development officer
  • Health and community services officer
  • Individual and family counsellor
  • Social worker

Course structure

Course information

The course consists of 25 core subjects (Foundation, Social Work Theory and Practice, Social Policy/Politics/Economics), two field work subjects and three restricted elective subjects. For information on the Honours course refer to 1601SW01 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours).

Essential set (256 pts)Core subjects 200 Credit PointsFoundation 64 Credit PointsCodeTitleCredit PointsIKC101First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country8 credit ptsHCS221Human Rights and Law for the Human Services8 credit ptsWEL118Human Services Organisations8 credit ptsPSY111Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services8 credit ptsPSY113Child and Adolescent Psychology8 credit ptsSOC101Understanding the Social World8 credit ptsSOC102Social Inequality8 credit ptsSOC308Community Analysis8 credit ptsSocial Work Theory and Practice 120 Credit PointsCodeTitleCredit PointsHCS102Communication and Human Services8 credit ptsHCS104Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan8 credit ptsHCS111Introduction to Human Services8 credit ptsHCS200Social Work Theory and Practice 1 - Foundations of Practice8 credit ptsHCS202Social Work Theory and Practice 2 - Micro Practice8 credit ptsHCS204Research Methods8 credit ptsHCS300Social Work Theory and Practice 3 - Mezzo Level Practice8 credit ptsHCS305Power, Oppression, Violence and Trauma8 credit ptsHCS310Mental Health8 credit ptsHCS321Welfare Practice with Children, Young People and their Carers8 credit ptsHCS400Social Work Theory and Practice 4 - Macro Practice and Professional Identity8 credit ptsSWK423Ethics and Social Work Practice8 credit ptsWEL218Developing Cross Cultural Competencies8 credit ptsWEL427Transformative ecosocial change in human services8 credit ptsWEL429Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers8 credit ptsSocial Policy/Politics/Economics 16 Credit PointsCodeTitleCredit PointsSPE211Foundations in Social Policy8 credit ptsSPE401Social Work and Social Policy Practice8 credit ptsCompulsory subjects 32 Credit PointsField Education 32 Credit Points

Students complete 1000 hours of field education, which meets the requirements set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Students selecting HCS424 require prior approval of Course Director.

CodeTitleCredit PointsHCS323Social Work Field Education 116 credit ptsHCS411Social Work Field Education 216 credit ptsORHCS424Social Work Field Education 2A16 credit ptsRestricted electives 24 Credit Points

Select three (3) subjects from the following:

CodeTitleCredit PointsHCS205Child Abuse and Child Protection8 credit ptsHCS406Social Work and Human Rights8 credit ptsHCS410Legal Issues in Child and Adolescent Welfare8 credit ptsHIP203Health and Development through the Lifespan8 credit ptsHIP423Transition to Allied Health Practice8 credit ptsJST204Young People and Crime8 credit ptsLES202Contemporary Issues in Community Development8 credit ptsPOL213Understanding Australian Political Life: Actors, Institutions and Policy8 credit ptsPOL305Power, Politics and Propaganda in the Media Today8 credit ptsPSY214Health Psychology8 credit ptsPSY216Psychology of Ageing8 credit ptsSOC215Gender, Family and Society8 credit ptsSOC301Policy, Power and Social Action8 credit ptsSWK414International Social Development8 credit ptsWEL206Facilitating Positive Behaviours8 credit ptsWEL217Social Dimensions of Disability8 credit ptsWEL229Introduction to Addiction Studies8 credit ptsWEL231Holistic Eco-Social Approaches in Mental Health8 credit ptsWEL409Grief, Loss and Change8 credit ptsWEL418Case Management8 credit ptsWEL425Addiction - clinical practice in human services8 credit ptsWEL426Disaster Recovery: A Human Services Perspective8 credit ptsWEL428Building Sustainable Communities8 credit pts

Credit for prior study or work

If you've completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. Which would mean completing your qualification quicker. Find out how to apply for credit and see our credit policy.

How to apply

Applying to Charles Sturt University is easy. Choose how you want to apply below, or get in touch with Charles Sturt University and we can help you with your application.
  • Apply via UAC
  • Apply via VTAC
  • Apply directly to Charles Sturt

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Social Work courses at Charles Sturt University.
92.4%
Overall satisfaction
87.8%
Skill scale
73.8%
Teaching scale
88.6%
Employed full-time
$73.1k
Average salary