Program Overview

Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work is a four-year undergraduate degree that prepares students for a rewarding career in social work. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to work with individuals, groups, and communities to address social issues and improve people's quality of life.

Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work degree includes 1000 hours of work-integrated learning (WIL) experience across two Social Work Field Education placements in two different human service agency settings. Students will gain practical skills and build their network by working across two organizations, plus gain valuable insights into areas of practice that align with their interests.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate cultural humility, value diversity among peoples and engage in decolonising practices that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Traditional Owners of Australian lands;
2. Articulate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary social work practice and its contribution to the creation and maintenance of a more just and equitable society which respects the inherent dignity, worth and autonomy of every person and community;
3. Appraise understandings of social welfare and social policy in the Australian context emphasising origins, functions, ideological bases and power relations;
4. Critique, synthesise and apply theories, knowledge and values of social work and related bodies of knowledge with a particular emphasis on critical social work and the goal of social change;
5. Apply social work knowledge, values, research and intervention skills to intervene and respond to the needs of diverse individuals, groups and communities;
6. Demonstrate ethical and critically reflective professional conduct using skills, knowledge, power, and professional authority in ways that serve humanity; and
7. Exemplify readiness for beginning social work practice and display collaborative and inclusive professional work and learning behaviours.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you dont meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s).

• Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
• Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
• IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
• Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Special Entry Programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course. You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a guide for your learning during the course.

Course Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Social Work, students will be required to complete 384 credit points of Core studies.

Units

Year One

• Introduction to Sociology
• Aboriginal Traditions and Policy
• Applied Human Rights
• Working in Human Services Organisations
• Introduction to Social Work
• Foundations of Social Science Research
• Introduction to Public Health and Wellness
• Interpersonal Skills and Communication

Year Two

• Groupwork Theory and Practice
• Social Welfare: History and Current Context
• Human Development in Social Context
• Critical Social Work Theories
• Social Work Theories
• Social Work and Trauma Informed Care
• Skills for Social Work Direct Practice
• Social Work Practice: Legal Context

Year Three

• Working Ethically in Aboriginal Community
• Qualitative Social Research Methods 1
• Introduction to Social Policy
• Professional Practice
• Working With Individuals and Families

Year Four

• Understanding and Responding to Family Violence
• Health and Mental Health: Practice and Policy
• Advanced Professional Practice
• Social Work Advocacy: Scope, Research and Design
• Social Work Advocacy: Social Change in Action

Fees and Scholarships

As an international student at Victoria University, you will be required to pay your tuition fees up front each semester.

• Fee type: International
• Fees for full-time international student (2026): AU$16,900 per semester The VU Block Model International Scholarship offers eligible international students up to 30% off tuition fees for their entire first year of study.

Careers

As a qualified social worker eligible for accreditation by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), youll be ready for a variety of roles within not-for-profit and charitable organisations, as well as the community and government sectors. Your job title could be:

• social worker
• community health centre counsellor
• youth worker
• drug and alcohol worker
• homelessness policy officer

Professional Accreditation/Industry Recognition

Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) After completing this degree, graduates will be eligible for membership with the AASW.