Send me a PDF copyHighlights
- Work towards a just society. Implement positive, effective change using culturally safe practices
- Flexible study with all academic units able to be studied fully online and the option to shift between part-time and full-time mode
- Option to complete practical placements at a time that suits you.
- Complete core units in trauma and addictions, health (including mental health), mediation, gender and diversity, community development, Indigenous rights and perspectives, child protection, youth and family practice, and disabilities, social policy, and action on climate change in social work practice
- Gain practical experience through a total of 1000 hours of supervised professional placement
- Graduates receive international recognition as social workers and are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers and become a mental health accredited social worker
- For graduates of a bachelor degree that includes the equivalent of at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences, consider the 2-year Master of Social Work - Qualifying.
Highlights
- Work towards a just society. Implement positive, effective change using culturally safe practices
- Complete core units in trauma and addictions, health (including mental health), mediation, gender and diversity, community development, Indigenous rights and perspectives, child protection, youth and family practice, and disabilities, social policy, and action on climate change in social work practice
- Gain practical experience through a total of 1000 hours of supervised professional placement
- Graduates receive international recognition as social workers and are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers and become a mental health accredited social worker
- For graduates of a bachelor degree that includes the equivalent of at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences, consider the 2-year Master of Social Work - Qualifying.
Why choose this course?
Social workers engage with individuals, families, groups, and wider communities to promote social justice and facilitate progressive change. They understand how social, political, economic, environmental and cultural factors can impact experiences of disadvantage and wellbeing. They engage in a wide range of practices to respond to social issues including counselling, case management, group work, mediation, advocacy, education, community development and social action.
Social work is incredibly diverse and social workers may be employed in a broad variety of fields including health and mental health, family violence, child abuse and neglect, homelessness, substance use, grief and loss, disability and eco-social work.
Learn from the best
You will be taught by passionate social workers and human services professionals who are committed educators with extensive professional experience in clinical work, political activism, counselling, community development and advocacy, education and social research.
Explore this course
Social work at QUT is committed to creating a community of engaged learners and practitioners with real-world capacities to promote social change for a more socially just, democratic and sustainable future.
Graduates are prepared with an understanding of the ways in which personal experiences are shaped by broader societal structures and therefore are committed to working in partnership with people (using a range of practice methods to support them), while simultaneously pursuing social transformation to redress societal injustices.
Our course champions a critical approach to social issues and this is thoroughly integrated with students’ experiences of field education to help integrate theory and practice. This means we examine and challenges the social causes of justice, rather than blaming the victim. It is a broad degree equipping graduates with a multitude of professional employment opportunities, yet many units are designed to enable students to explore a particular personal interest or passion, which means they can choose to develop a specialist knowledge base in particular fields of practice.
Flexible delivery
You can commence this course in February or July, giving you the ability to start studying as soon as possible. If you are unable to commit to full time study we also offer a flexible learning option to complete the course within 8 years.
Flexible learning option allows you to enrol in 24 credit points per semester (part time), increasing to 36 credit points (full time) in the placement semesters. The two placement units in the Bachelor of Social Work are each worth 36 credit points.
All units, except the placements, have the option to be studied in a fully online mode. You will be supported with resources including recorded lectures and the option to participate in tutorials and assessments externally if needed. Some lectures and tutorials may have evening sessions.
Placements can be undertaken at a time that suits you. The Australian Association of Social Workers requires all social work students to undertake 20 days of face-to-face learning, but at QUT, how you achieve this requirement across your degree, is up to you.
Double degrees
Combine two bachelor degrees into a single course of study. A double degree allows you to specialise in two fields and pursue different interest areas, gaining a broader range of skills and knowledge, and giving you a competitive advantage and greater career flexibility.
Consider a double degree with the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) if you would like to work in community services, counselling and family-centred intervention, mental health services, drug and alcohol intervention, or disability services.
Work Integrated Learning
During this course you will be required to complete 1000 hours of professional work experience.
TAFE-Qld Brisbane/QUT Dual Award Pathway
If you’re worried you won’t have the ATAR or selection rank to get into the course, consider the TAFE-Queensland - Brisbane/QUT dual award, Diploma of Community Services/ Bachelor of Social Work. On successful completion of the diploma you will gain automatic entry to the bachelor degree at QUT. This option is not available to international students.
Graduate Pathway
If you have already completed a bachelor degree which includes the equivalent of one year (8 units) of full-time studies in social science, the Master of Social Work - Qualifying offers an shorter pathway to becoming a registered social worker.
Work Integrated Learning
During this course you will be required to complete 1000 hours of supervised professional work experience.
Graduate Pathway
If you have already completed a bachelor degree which includes the equivalent of one year (8 units) of full-time studies in social science, the Master of Social Work - Qualifying offers an shorter pathway to becoming a registered social worker.
Honours pathway
At the end of the second year of study in this course you will have the option to apply for the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours). This allows you to complete an honours research project that extends your knowledge of the professional field, develops your research skills, and offers a competitive advantage in your career and a pathway to postgraduate studies.
Entry to the program is competitive and based on grade point average. On entry to the course you will retain all of the credit you have successfully completed in the Bachelor of Social Work and will complete a further two years of full-time study.
Careers and outcomes
Social workers are employed in hospitals and community health care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and social services, disability, child protection, youth work, criminal justice, family support and counselling, employment and legal services, refugee wellbeing, government, and policy and research.
Professional recognition
This degree has full accreditation by the Australian Association of Social Workers. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.
Possible careers
- Child protection officer
- Child and family counsellor
- Community worker
- Corrective services officer
- Counsellor
- Disability services worker
- Educator
- Health policy officer
- Health services manager
- Human services practitioner
- Social scientist
- Social worker
- Youth worker
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $9,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2025 fees
2025: $36,600 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2024 fees
2024: CSP $9,100 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2024 fees
2024: $33,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding sporting achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
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