Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2023: February, May

Duration: 
4 years
Location: 
Footscray Park
Fees: 

2023: A$14,300*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

Overview

Confront social problems and help to improve people’s quality of life, with a Bachelor of Social Work from Victoria University.

If you’d like to help others resolve social problems, and you are passionate about human rights, social justice and social development, then VU’s social work degree could be for you.

This social work course will give you in-depth understanding of:

  • interpersonal and group work
  • community development
  • policy analysis
  • social research
  • social action.

You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to develop the potential of individuals, groups and communities – and during your course, you’ll put these insights to use across two social work placements.

This training and expertise will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in a number of settings – from federal and state government to hospitals, non-government organisations or community services.

You’ll graduate as a professional social worker, equipped with the skills to truly change people’s lives for the better, and you will be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Social Work Field Education is an essential part of this degree. You’ll complete two placements in different human service agency settings, under the supervision of experienced social workers.

Studying with us means you’ll be learning in an environment that values community empowerment.

Victoria University believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity, and we received the highest rating of five stars for cultural diversity by the Good Universities Guide. Our students feel fortunate to learn in a setting that has such a rich representation of cultures.

VU also works to address refugee issues, tackle diversity and social inclusion, and improve the health and social wellbeing of the region. We are proud of our cultural diversity initiatives and projects with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Course e-Brochure

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Careers in social work

VU graduates typically find employment within not-for-profit and charitable organisations, as well as the community and government sectors.

Roles include:

  • social worker
  • community health centre counsellor
  • youth worker
  • drug and alcohol worker
  • homelessness policy officer.

Salaries

Employment for social workers in Australia rose very strongly over the last five years; check the latest job information and salaries at Labour Market Insights. 

Accreditation & professional recognition

VU’s Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers, (AASW), the professional body representing social workers in Australia. The course is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.

Upon completion of this degree, graduates will be eligible for membership of the AASW. Please note that for International students there are additional requirements for membership of the AASW.

Students with a passion for social justice

Students with a passion for social justice

Tina Guido, of Indiancare and formerly of Baptcare Family Services says VU students are well-prepared for the challenges of a social work career.

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On completion of this degree, graduates will be eligible for membership of the AASW.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Social Work, students will be required to complete:

  • 384 credit points of Core studies.

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate cultural humility, value diversity among peoples and engage in decolonising practices that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Traditional Owners of Australian lands;  
  2. Articulate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary social work practice and its contribution to the creation and maintenance of a more just and equitable society which respects the inherent dignity, worth and autonomy of every person and community;  
  3. Appraise understandings of social welfare and social policy in the Australian context emphasising origins, functions, ideological bases and power relations;  
  4. Critique, synthesise and apply theories, knowledge and values of social work and related bodies of knowledge with a particular emphasis on critical social work and the goal of social change;  
  5. Apply social work knowledge, values, research and intervention skills to intervene and respond to the needs of diverse individuals, groups and communities;  
  6. Demonstrate ethical and critically reflective professional conduct using skills, knowledge, power, and professional authority in ways that serve humanity; and  
  7. Exemplify readiness for beginning social work practice and display collaborative and inclusive professional work and learning behaviours.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Read more about inherent requirements.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Additional information

To be eligible for placement students must meet requirements of placement agencies and submit mandatory documentation including:
National Police Checks (which are required for the year in which the students undertake placement so a minimum of 2 checks will be required over 2 years),
International Police check for students who, after the age of 16 have been a citizen or permanent resident of any country other than Australia or resided continuously in any country other than Australia for 12 months or longer
Working with Children Check (valid for 5 years)
NDIS Worker Screening check
Evidence of being fully COVID-19 vaccinated
Evidence of meeting immunisation requirements for a health placement which includes Hepatitis B, MMR, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, Varicella, Tuberculosis and Influenza.

It is possible that individual placement agencies will require additional site specific documentation and pre-placement preparation.

It is important to plan for potential loss of income during placement. Students may need to reduce or cease their usual employment during their social work placements since each placement equates to 500 hours over a continuous period.

Under certain circumstances there may be a fee associated with a clinical placement. For placement fee details relevant to your course refer to https://www.vu.edu.au/current-students/your-course/fees/additional-fees-....

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Diploma of Community Development CHC52115

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Diploma of Community Services CHC52015

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Foundations at VU JYAC

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

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If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.