Social Work Courses in Australia

Social work is one of the most in-demand professions in Australia due to the ageing population, rising mental health challenges, and an increasing need for professionals in child protection, aged care, and disability services.  

If you are passionate about helping people and communities, providing support to individuals and families who are going through tough life situations, or want to create meaningful change in people's lives then a career in social work could be the perfect path for you.

Here are some reasons why you should study social work course in Australia: 

• Accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), providing professional recognition for employment in Australia. 

• Social workers are one of the highest earners in Australia, with average salary ranging from AUD 80,000 to AUD 105,000. 

• Social work occupations are featured on Australia Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making you eligible for permanent residency (PR) through several visas such as Skilled Independent 189, the Skilled Nominated 190 or the 489 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visas. 

Bachelor’s of Social Work 

Course Duration: 4 years 

A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a four-year undergraduate degree that covers in-depth understanding of human behavior/psychology, social welfare policy, research methods, social justice, and social work practice methods.  

Master’s of Social Work 

Course duration: 2 years 

A Master of Social Work (MSW) is a two-year graduate-level degree that teaches students an advanced level of practice in social work and often includes clinical practice, leadership roles, psychology, and several social work practice methods. 

Furthermore, students having graduate degrees in other disciplines such as social sciences, psychology, public health, education, or nursing may be eligible to study for a master's degree in social work. 

The cost of studying social work degree in Australia depends upon the university, type of course, and course length.  

Undergraduate (Bachelor of Social Work) 

Academic Requirements: 

• Completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent (e.g., high school diploma or international secondary qualification) 
• Some universities may ask for work experience, such as volunteering or any social work, academic achievement, etc. 

English Language Proficiency (depends upon university) 

• IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 or higher, with no band less than 6.0 
• TOEFL iBT: Between 80-100 
• PTE: Between 58-64, with no band less than 50 

Postgraduate (Master of Social Work) 

Academic Requirements: 

• A completed bachelor's degree in any discipline (8 units completion in social sciences, psychology, or related approved fields)  
• Relevant work experience (1-2 years in human and community services is often preferred) 

English Language Proficiency (depends upon university) 

• IELTS: Overall score of 7.0 or higher, with no band less than 7.0 
• TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 94 or higher 
• PTE: Overall score of 65 or higher 

Additional Requirements 

• Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining your interest in social work 
• Resume/CV (especially for postgraduate applicants) 
• Academic transcripts and certified documents 
• Interviews or written assessments (in some cases) 
• Police checks or Working with Children Clearance may be required before placements 
• Must meet Genuine Student (GS) requirements 

Australian government have projected to increase social work jobs by over 23% by 2028. As a result, studying social work in Australia offers many careers rewarding opportunities, especially for international students.  

Key areas of practice in the field of social work 

• Addiction and Substance Abuse 
• Mental Health and Well-being 
• Housing Instability and Homeless Support Services 
• Family Conflict and Domestic Safety 
• Physical Health and Disabilities 
• Equity, Human Rights, and Anti-Discrimination 
• Child Protection and Family Support Services 
• Crisis Response and Trauma Recovery 
• Legal and Advocacy Services 

Job outcome for social work graduates: 

After graduation, you can work as: 

• Drug and alcohol support worker 
• Case Manager 
• Mental Health Social Worker 
• Child Welfare Specialist 
• Social and Human Service Assistants 
• Criminology Specialists 
• Welfare Centre Manager 
• Welfare Worker 
• Community Worker 
• Family Support Worker 
• And many more 

Social work occupations are featured on Medium to Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme List (RSMSL), making you eligible to apply for PR visas in Australia. 

To apply for PR, you must first complete social work degree in Australia (either Bachelor or Master of Social Work). After graduation, you are eligible to apply for skills assessment through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). You need to gain relevant qualifications and must meet all requirements to get a positive skill assessment from AASW. 

To receive a positive skills assessment, you must hold a relevant qualification, be working in an occupation listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL), and meet all criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs. 

After getting positive assessment outcome, you can apply for PR through one of these visas: 

• Subclass 189 - Skilled independent visa 
• Subclass 190 - Skilled nominated visa 
• Subclass 491 - Skilled work regional (provisional) visa 

The PR application process in Australia is complex and difficult process both, especially for beginners. Please, consult with our migration agent if you need any detailed support or guidance. 

• Over 10+ years of experience in education and migration support. 
• Our migration agent is Mara Registered who have depth knowledge of Australia immigration policies. 
• Trusted by hundreds of students from Australia, Chile, Nepal, India, Australia, & Philippines.