Social work courses

Choose a career that helps your community

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Social work

Work to address social problems and human rights issues in your community.

Understand the underlying ethical foundations you’ll require as a social worker. Get set for work with community groups, government departments and not-for-profits.

Study advocacy and leadership, social justice, applied counselling, law and social policy.

Studying social work online means that you can fit your study around your job, whether that’s existing work in the field, or something you’re looking to transition from.

Explore social work courses
ADELAIDE_March171U3A6359-512
Debbie studied community development with Murdoch University, through Open Universities Australia

Discover social work courses

Online social work subjects and short courses

University of New England

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 24 Jun 2024, 21 Oct 2024

View all subjects

Online social work degrees

Charles Sturt University

UndergraduateCSU-SOC-DEG

Bachelor of Social Work

Help people from all walks of life

Become a social worker and improve your clients’ lives. You’ll study social work theory and take part in field education. Choose electives for deep insight into social problems. Help Indigenous people, refugees, and survivors of domestic violence.

Online & on-campus

4 years full time or part time equivalent

Southern Cross University

UndergraduateSCU-SWK-DEG

Bachelor of Social Work

Get professionally accredited and become a social worker

Study sociology and welfare theory, develop counselling and case management skills, and get to know Indigenous world-views. When you graduate, you’ll be equipped to help individuals and families with housing, rehabilitation, and disability services.

Online & on-campus

4 years full time or part time equivalent

University of Southern Queensland

UndergraduateUSQ-SWK-DEG

Bachelor of Social Work

100% online

4 years full time or part time equivalent

Griffith University

PostgraduateGRF-SWK-MAS

Master of Social Work

Create the foundation for your social work career

Build on your knowledge of social and behavioural science and prepare for work as a social worker. Explore the ethical foundations for social work while you expand your knowledge. Understand contemporary social policy and human service applications.

Online & on-campus

Approx. 2.5 years full time or part time equivalent

View all bachelor degrees

Discover 24 ways to study social work with leading Australian universities.

Explore social work courses

Need help choosing the right course?

Our student advisors are here to guide you with expert advice on:

  • Enrolling and planning your studies
  • Finding a study option that suits your needs
  • Understanding your funding options

When would you like to chat?

Let me pick a time

Find a time that suits you for a free 1:1 consultation with a student advisor.

Call me anytime

A student advisor will call you, usually within 30 minutes during business hours.

Tell us a little about yourself

A student advisor will call you to answer your questions.

Looking for other ways to start the conversation? Contact us

Student reviews

We support thousands of students on their study journey every year

Our advisors are here to help with your study goals from enrolment to completion 7 days a week.

Social work study FAQs

Social work highlights

  • Develop your communication skills.
  • Work to improve the lives of people in your community.
  • Engage with behavioural science.

Social work specialisations

  • Dispute resolution and mediation.
  • Analyse policies and services.
  • Build your project management skills.

Student stories and study advice

5 inspiring reasons to pursue a community services career

You could support people living with disability, advocate for those suffering a health crisis, or assist those experiencing family violence. Find out why a career in community services can be rewarding and varied. 

5 rewarding jobs in disability services (that aren’t support work)

If you’re drawn to a career that sees you making a difference in people’s lives every day, disability services could be your perfect fit, even if support work isn’t your goal. 

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament explained

Unclear on the Voice to Parliament? Here’s what you need to know about Australia’s upcoming referendum, which will decide if Indigenous Australians can advise on matters that affect their lives. 

What is a Bachelor of Social Work?

A Bachelor of Social Work is your must-have qualification to become a social worker. With it, you’ll help individuals, groups and communities heal, exercise their rights and determine their own lives.

We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

A student leaping from one side of a platform to another, with a blue sky in the background.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 515,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education

As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

Enrol in courses from 25 of Australia's leading universities

Charles Sturt University logoTorrens University Australia logo
University of Tasmania logoUniversity of New England logo
Griffith University logoSwinburne University logo
The University of Queensland logoUniversity of Adelaide logo
James Cook University Australia logoEdith Cowan University logo
University of the Sunshine Coast logoAustralian Catholic University logo
Curtin University logoThe University of Newcastle logo
RMIT University logoMurdoch University logo
La Trobe University logoMacquarie University logo
Flinders University logoUniversity of South Australia logo
Australian National University logoSouthern Cross University logo
Bond University logoUniversity of Southern Queensland logo
The University of Notre Dame Australia logo

Keep track of your favourites

Create a free account or sign in to:

Create an account