Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Program Overview

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Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Overview

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course is a mid-year entry, fast-track option to becoming a social worker for those who already hold a bachelor degree in a related area.

This course offers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) to domestic applicants, which means part of your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Social work draws on knowledge from a range of disciplines including sociology, psychology, politics, philosophy, health, and economics. Social workers are committed to social justice, human rights, and social change. They work with and alongside individuals, groups, and communities to improve people’s quality of lives, promote positive relationships, and advocate for human rights.

The course focuses on how people understand and interact with each other, their communities, and society.

This course has mixed modes of delivery, including online, on-campus intensive blocks, and fieldwork. Please check individual unit information for tuition method.

You will complete 14 weeks or 2 semester's worth (1000 hours) of supervised fieldwork placements in the course for professional identity development.

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.

What you'll learn

• Develop, integrate, and critically apply social work values, knowledge, and principles; provide assessment and intervention that is informed by consumers and the practice context.
• Work inclusively and creatively across diverse practice contexts; provide accountable and responsive leadership; demonstrate professional behaviour consistent with social work values, principles, ethics, and practice standards.
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant national and international social policies and practice standards in order to synthesise knowledge of the interrelationship between local and global issues, and apply an intersectional analysis to social policy domains.
• Apply appropriate communication and interpersonal skills using a variety of media relevant to the audience and guided by the ethical principles of the social work profession that are underpinned by pursuing social justice and upholding human rights.
• In social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organisations, use appropriate technologies to research, evaluate, and synthesise information, involving communicating knowledge within and beyond the discipline of Social Work which generates sustainable solutions appropriate to diverse contexts.
• Establish and sustain intellectual curiosity by using a range of learning strategies, including research-informed practice, professional development, and supervision.
• Value and respect the knowledge of Indigenous Australians; understand the effects of Australia’s colonial history and demonstrate advanced culturally responsive and inclusive practices; demonstrate commitment to social justice including human rights.

Why study Social Work (Qualifying) at Curtin?

• Curtin is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2025).
• Excellent resources: #2 in Australia for learning resources in postgraduate social work (Good Universities Guide, 2025).
• Highly ranked course: #1 in WA for skills development in postgraduate social work (Good Universities Guide, 2025).

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

You must have a relevant bachelor degree completed, including at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society), or equivalent prior learning, including appropriate professional experience. Entry into this course is competitive. If your prior degree is not considered relevant, you may be required to undertake prerequisite bridging units before commencing the program.

You will be required to submit supplementary information with your application. Please refer to the application requirements below.

There are limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available.

Ranking and Selection Process

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.
2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.
3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course-specific prerequisites does not guarantee selection.
4. In the event the course reaches capacity, the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

• Writing: 7
• Speaking: 7
• Reading: 7
• Listening: 7
• Overall band score: 7

Application Requirements

Please refer to our application requirements before applying for this Curtin course.

Admission requirements for the Masters of Social Work (Qualifying) are as follows:

• An undergraduate degree with at least one year full-time study of the individual, society, culture, and health, or equivalent.

Documents to submit with your application:

• CV
• 1 relevant Referee report
• A personal statement (up to 500 words) which addresses the following criteria:
  • Why you want to be considered for the course
  • Your knowledge of individuals, society, and social construction
  • Your experience with diverse populations
• A police check, a Working with Children Check, and proof of relevant vaccinations will be required for field placement

Entry is competitive, and in ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Prior academic performance
• Relevant work experience
• Personal statement
• Referee Report

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

A relevant bachelor degree, including at least one year of study of the individual or society. However, selection is competitive and this cut-off may be higher. If you do not have this background, you may be required to undertake additional bridging units.

To find out more about these bridging units, please refer to the Health Sciences Graduate Entry Foundation Course which allows you to complete the units you require before applying for this course. The units required are: "Introduction to Psychology", "Citizenship, Culture and Diversity", “Interpersonal Communication Skills in Health” and “Social Work Philosophy, Policy, Context”. These units should be undertaken in the first semester to facilitate entry to the mid-year intake.

Fees and scholarships

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

• 2025 Fee year: $10,500* (Commonwealth supported)
• 2025 Fee year: $28,784* (Domestic)

Location

• Curtin Perth

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice.

• Curtin Perth

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Course structure

View course structure

Duration

• 2 years full-time
• Part-time study is also available.

Credit

• A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
• 400 credits are required to complete the course.

CRICOS

• The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) Code indicates a registered program offered to international students studying in Australia on student visas.

Inherent requirements

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

• Use your experience to get credit towards your degree.
• Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Submit an enquiry CRL search

Disclaimer

The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method, or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation, or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information.

View courses information disclaimer.

Last updated

• 11 May 2025

Curtin course code

• MG-SCWK

CRICOS code

• (Not specified)