Undergraduate Certificate in Social Care

A career in the social care sector is rewarding and challenging. Your job opportunities range from aged care and disability support to education and community development. Our graduates are equipped to shape and respond to social care opportunities and challenges through their understanding of professional practice in the community care sector, and by being culturally competent citizens in a local, national, and global society.

This is an excellent opportunity to further your career in aged care and disability support roles. You could be the support someone needs to change their path and give them the strength to address life-changing concerns.

In addition to developing job-ready skills, you'll also have the option to pursue further study in the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours, receiving full credit towards Year 1 of the bachelors course for the four units of study completed towards the certificate.

Higher education via OUA

 Successful completion of any 2 OUA open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified. 

Higher education

Domestic Applicants with higher education study:

• Completed at least one undergraduate subject (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) within an associate degree course or higher. OR
• Completed a minimum of four University Preparation Program subjects (equivalent to 50 UTAS credit points) or equivalent.

Secondary education

Domestic Applicants who have recently completed secondary education:

• Completed the TCE (or equivalent) 

VET studies

Successful completion of a Certificate III or higher

Work and Life

Supporting Statement/Personal Competency Statement with extensive and sustained work experience.

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here. https://www.utas.edu.au/study/apply/admission-requirements/recognition-of-prior-learning

Social care workers play a vital role in supporting people through issues of discrimination, inequality, violence, and other forms of oppression.

Recent systemic failures of care, particularly in aged care and disability support, have come to the forefront in Australia. The Undergraduate Certificate in Social Care will provide you with a critical perspective of responsible care: you’ll develop a greater understanding of the vulnerability of people who access support services and how you can help them to overcome social and personal issues.

Your studies will focus on practical skills that can improve the quality of care provided to people by emphasising their strengths, promoting their sense of dignity and self-worth, and enabling their autonomy. This program is relevant for anyone working with people in sensitive situations as well as those wanting to progress their studies to obtain a professional qualification in Social Work.

Please visit our Certificates page (https://www.utas.edu.au/study/certificates#faqs) for answers to frequently asked questions about the Job Ready Certificates.

Recommended Study Pattern

For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended.

Completion of 4 core subjects from the schedule below:

• TAS-HGA138 Society, Culture and Health
• TAS-HGW101 Introduction to Social Work and Human Service Practice
• Completion of 1 subject from each pair of subjects
  • Core Option Subjects Pair A
    • TAS-FXA100 The Arts and Dementia Care
    • TAS-FXA101 Creativity for Life
  • Core Option Subjects Pair B
    • TAS-ZAC103 Contemporary Support in Health and Community Services
    • TAS-ZAC208 Contemporary Disability Practice

Award Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 4 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 0.5-1 years from commencement.