The Bachelor of Social Work aims to produce social work graduates who are eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). In your pursuit of social justice, you will acquire values, knowledge and skills relevant to diverse social environments where you will be able to advocate for and support people impacted by social and structural inequalities. You will utilise approaches such as case management, social group work and family work, social policy, being research-minded and community practice to create change. These methods of change will focus on work with individuals, groups and families and communities. With knowledge of these skills and methods, social workers can occupy many diverse roles aimed at enhancing the well-being of people and communities in society.
A social work qualification provides a wide range of employment opportunities across diverse fields of practice. Many of these will involve social workers assisting client groups to achieve social inclusion, supporting people to achieve a better quality of life and facilitate individual and community well-being. Graduates have the opportunity to practice in a large number of human services across every state and territory as well as in many overseas countries. The most prominent sectors in which social workers are found are in health, government administration, child protection, youth justice, prisons, disability, aged care, mental health, and working with people from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. Social workers are employed at federal, state and local levels of government. Non-government agencies in the community sector are also large employers of social work graduates where the work can include counselling, case-management, early intervention strategies with families at risk, advocacy, mediation and community development. Agencies include Relationships Australia, Anglicare, Baptist Care, Red Cross, Women's Health and many others. A growing trend for social workers with several years experience is moving into private practice focusing on the mental health issues experienced by their clients.
Duration | 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 192 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BSocWk |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to be eligible to attend a WIL placement for this course. Students will be required to provide evidence of having completed a COVID-19 vaccination schedule by the closing date prior to a WIL placement. The vaccine received must be a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.
Rank Threshold | SR 62 | ATAR 62 |
English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:
Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
If you are an International Student, please visit International students english requirements for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
All field education contexts will require relevant state based working with children clearances. State based criminal background checks and Federal police checks are required. Where issues emerge with these checks the Head of Course will implement a formal process of internal and/or external ethical consideration.
Some field education contexts require evidence of Hepatitis B immunity.
Studies of Society / Humanities
Community work
Information Technology literacy
Interim Awards | CG82 - Associate Degree of Human Services CG83 - Bachelor of Human Services |
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Exit Awards | CG82 - Associate Degree of Human Services CG83 - Bachelor of Human Services |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | Students are required to attend a minimum of 20 days (4 x 5 days of residential school) throughout the course. Residential schools are connected to specific social work units in the course. These can change from time to time. These are currently scheduled as follows: Year 1 Residential Program SOWK11015 Professional Communication in Human Services (Term 2) Year 2 Residential Program SOWK12009 Casework & Case Management (Term 1) Year 3 Residential Program SOWK13010 Integrating Theory & Practice 1 (Term 1) Year 4 Residential Program SOWK14010 Integrating Theory and Practice 2 (Term 2) Residential dates and requirements are available in the CQUni Handbook. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
SOWK13009 - This is the first work integrated learning placement. The placement occurs in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and with the supervision by a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in international, metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with pre-requisites, and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative/screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings. |
SOWK14009 - Field Education 2 (SOWK 14009) is the final integrated learning placement. The placement occurs in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and with the supervision by a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in international, metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with pre-requisites, and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative/screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2022 | 223 |
2021 | 181 |
2020 | 93 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||||
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||||
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 28 | Total credit points: 192 |
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This is an AASW-accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.
Residential Schools
The Bachelor of Social Work is an accredited program and must adhere to the education and accreditation standards as outlined in the ASWEAS (2020). As a flexible delivery program, students must attend mandatory residential schools to complete the minimum 20 days of face to face teaching required for completion. These residential schools are connected to several core units in the program. Students must be able to participate in residential schools allocated to the various units when planning their study. Residential school locations vary dependent on staffing and university needs. Further information about residential schools are provided in the CQUni handbook.
Field Education
Field Education placements are compulsory in Year 3 and 4 of the course and are available in fixed terms. Students are unable to participate in field education units without satisfactorily meeting the pre-requisites and all associated screening and inherent requirements.
Field Education 1 (SOWK 13009), a third year unit is only offered in Term 1 of third year by application. SOWK13009 commences according to term dates and all aspects of the placement must be compliant with the ASWEAS (2020) requirements of hours and duration. The social work program academic staff and field education unit determine the suitability and readiness for field education in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics (2020) and the ASWEAS (2020).
SOWK13009 Field Education 1 must be undertaken with the co-requisite SOWK13010 Integrating Theory and Practice 1.
SOWK14009 Field Education 2 a fourth year unit is only offered in Term 2 and commences according to term dates and must be compliant with the ASWEAS (2020) requirements of hours and duration.
SOWK14009 Field Education 2 must be undertaken with the co-requisite SOWK14010 Integrating Theory and Practice 2.
If eligible, a student may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) for SOWK13009. This process requires completion of a portfolio of work submitted in the first instance to the Field Education Unit to demonstrate adherence to the ASWEAS (2020) requirements. Applications for RPL for SOWK13009 are only accepted when the student is eligible to apply for enrolment to SOWK13009. Should a student be successful in an RPL for this unit, they are required to undertake SOWK13010 the same term placement was scheduled. RPL for SOWK14009 not available.
Both placements occur in an agency approved by the social work program and University. All field education placements must be supervised either on site or externally by a qualified social worker with at least two years' graduate experience who is eligible for membership with the AASW. You must meet all inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative, screening and legal obligations to undertake field education. Field education units are an academic unit of study and are assessed according to university and course policies including the Field Education Handbook (located in Moodle).
Once enrolled in any social work unit you will have direct access to detailed information about all of these requirements at Social Work Central and the Field Education Hub, located in Moodle.
Year 1 Term 1
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK11014 | Contemporary Human Services | |
SOCL11055 | Sociology of Australian Society | |
SOWK11017 | Scope of Social Work Practice in Australia | |
PSYC11010 | Fundamentals of Psychology 1: Understanding Human Behaviour |
Year 1 Term 2
Students are required to undertake a maximum of 1 Level 1 elective unit (6 credit points) from across the University. The below units are recommended:
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK11015 | Professional Communication in Human Services | |
SOWK11016 | Human Services and the Law | |
INDG11013 | First Nation and Non-Indigenous History: The Interface |
Year 2 Term 1
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK12008 | Theories of Change for Professional Practice I | |
SOWK12009 | Casework and Case Management | |
SOWK12012 | Organisational Practice | |
SOWK12015 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Professional Practice |
Year 2 Term 2
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOCL19069 | Social Research Methods | |
SOWK12010 | Theories of Change for Professional Practice II | |
SOWK12011 | Social Group Work and Family Work | |
SOWK12014 | Ethical Professional Practice |
Year 3 Term 1
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK13009 | Fieldwork Education 1 | |
SOWK13010 | Integrating Theory and Practice 1 |
Year 3 Term 2
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK13011 | Community Practice | |
SOWK13012 | Professional Practice and Mental Health | |
SOWK13013 | Professional Practice with Children, Youth and Families | |
SOWK13014 | Contemporary Social Policy |
Students are required to undertake 1 Advanced elective unit (6 credit points) from across the University. The below units are recommended:
Year 4 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK14005 | Advanced Direct Practice | |
SOWK14006 | Professional Leadership in Human Services | |
SOWK14004 | Reconciliation in the Workplace and Community |
Year 4 Term 2
Year 4 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK14009 | Fieldwork Education 2 | |
SOWK14010 | Integrating Theory and Practice 2 |
This course is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) that stipulates all 3rd and 4th year students must attend compulsory face-to-face residential schools in Queensland. Therefore, all students, no matter their primary place of residence, must travel to attend face-to-face residential schools.