Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

1. Apply social work values, knowledge and skills in practice and research processes to address client needs, organisational goals and social policy change.
2. Ensure that clients’ needs are addressed holistically and creatively, drawing on relevant theory, research and practice wisdom.
3. Promote and implement policies and practices to achieve a fair, equitable and efficient allocation of social resources, and identify inappropriate or inequitable policy goals and outcomes.
4. Ensure that client needs, organisational goals and community expectations of social work services are met in the most appropriate manner, using social work knowledge, skills and resources.
5. Create research outputs demonstrating advanced theoretical and technical knowledge in the discipline of social work.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to continually increase professional knowledge and skills and to continuing education and lifelong learning.
7. Effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders , including clients, colleagues and managers including within a multi-disciplinary team environment.
8. Demonstrate advanced skills to design and implement a research project and critically interpret and communicate the findings.
9. Apply knowledge of organisational and societal systems and processes to identify inequality and ensure appropriate action is taken so that social barriers, inequality and injustice are reduced.

Secondary education

An applicant for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) must be currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work and have completed the first 16 units (196 credit points) listed in the recommended course progression with a GPA of at least 5.0.

English Proficiency Requirements

Listening - minimum 7.0

Reading - minimum 7.0

Speaking - minimum 7.0

Writing - minimum 7.0

Practicum placement

All students complete 1,000 hours of professional placement across two separate human service organisations.

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit for knowledge and skills you have already acquired. Credit gained through prior learning, experiences and qualification can reduce the duration and cost of your course.

Learn more

The course prepares students to work in a diverse range of fields including health and mental health, child and family welfare, cross-cultural work and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, youth work, homelessness, domestic and family violence, disability, drug and alcohol, community development, and advocacy.

Underpinned by core principles of social justice and human rights, the course engages students in contemporary anti-oppressive, decolonised and trauma-informed approaches to social work practice. This high job growth area offers a variety of careers in client service roles, service management, research, strategy and policy development.

Core units within the course cover essential theories, methods and skills for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. These are complemented by foundational studies in Indigenous world views, sociology, politics, human development and social research.

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) is designed for social work students who are interested in designing their own research project or pursuing further studies at a postgraduate level.

Award Requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising all core units.