Bachelor of Social Work

Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and families and helping to build strong communities for current and future generations?

Work closely with communities to provide counselling and support services and be an advocate for social justice and human rights. Make a real difference to the lives of people in need and build strong communities. Excel in your career in one of the fastest growing professions.

This course has been co-designed with local partners to address this specific skills shortage. Where possible, Federation University will work with your workplace to ensure you are well supported and have the resources needed to complete the Bachelor of Social Work. We welcome applicants from varied backgrounds who reflect the communities in which we live and work.

We tailor your education experience to your individual needs and recognise prior experience as well as disrupted opportunities during COVID-19. For applicants straight from school, we ensure that no-one gets left behind and provide study pathways for those who have missed out on learning opportunities.

If you are already working in the human services sector, we provide recognition of prior learning and qualifications that significantly reduce the time required to complete your social work degree. We provide learning opportunities in the workplace to support you to remain in employment while completing your social work studies.

We encourage people who are considering a career change to step into a rewarding career in social work.

We adopt an eco-systems and empowerment approach, working with and for communities, to bring about positive changes in the natural, built, and social environments.

Whatever your background, we will prepare you to work across human and community services in government bodies, non-government organisations, community and health services, and more.

During your 140 days of placement, you'll be exposed to challenging real-life situations in social work settings. Experienced professionals in the field will support you every step of the way. You'll become confident working with children and families, people of diverse cultural backgrounds and gender diversity. You will learn to work effectively with people with substance use issues and mental health problems and in palliative care, child protection, youth services and much more.

Once you graduate, you can go on to be a qualified social worker, take up direct practice and management positions, or work in national or international policy development.

This degree has been designed as an entry level to the social work profession qualification. It now has provisional accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

IT requirements

To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.

Got questions?

Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.

Student support

The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.

The fine print

The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.

Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.

Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.

School department

Social Work, Community & Human Services

Course co-ordinator

Sharon Sperling