Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work at the Institute of Health & Management is a four-year professional degree that prepares you to work as a social worker in Australia. It's the qualification you need if you want to register with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and practise as a social worker. The degree combines classroom study with supervised field education, so you graduate having already spent time in the field.

What you'll study

The course covers the core areas of social work: human development across the lifespan, social policy, law and ethics, research methods, and direct practice skills like interviewing, assessment and case management. You'll look at how Australian systems work, child protection, mental health, disability, aged care, family services, and community development. The degree is structured around units of study, each with a credit point value. You need to complete a set number of credit points to graduate, and the course is delivered over four years full time, usually across semesters or trimesters. The exact unit list and credit point rules are on the official page, check there before you plan your enrolment.

Field education and placements

Work-integrated learning is a big part of this degree. Social work students in Australia complete supervised placements in agencies such as hospitals, community health centres, schools, government departments, and non-government organisations. These placements are assessed and count towards your degree. They're where you put theory into practice, build a professional network, and get a feel for the kind of social work you want to do after you graduate. The number of placement hours and how they're arranged will be set out in the course rules, confirm the details with the institution.

Skills you'll gain

You'll learn how to assess a person's situation, work within legal and ethical frameworks, write reports that stand up in court or in case reviews, and advocate for clients. You'll also build skills in working with people from different backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse families, and people living with disability or mental illness. Research skills are part of the degree too, so you can understand evidence and use it in practice.

Who it suits

This degree suits people who want a career helping others and are comfortable working with complex human situations. You might be coming straight from school, or you might be changing careers after working in community services, health, education or another field. It's a good fit if you're patient, good with people, and want a qualification that leads to professional registration. International students should note the English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall is the common standard for social work, though some institutions ask for 7.0. The university accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and its own English programmes as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While you study, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you graduate, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always check the official page for current details on units, placements, English requirements, and fees.

• Social worker in hospitals, community health centres, mental health services, and aged care
• Child protection practitioner in state and territory government departments
• Case manager in family support services and disability organisations
• Youth worker in schools, youth justice, and community programs
• Community development officer in local government and non-government organisations
• Policy officer in government departments and advocacy groups
• School social worker or wellbeing coordinator in education settings
• Researcher or project officer in social research and evaluation

Social workers are employed across Australia in health, child protection, mental health, disability, aged care, family services, housing, and justice. The degree leads to eligibility for registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), which is often required for practice and for many jobs. Some graduates go on to further study, such as a master's degree, to specialise in clinical social work, research, or management.