Bachelor of Social Work
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Social Work |
| Course Map | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023: Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent. Students who meet eligibility requirements will enrol in H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) for their fourth year of study. Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements. |
| CRICOS course code | 015207F Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | H330 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Third party arrangements
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
Course overview
Are you passionate about human rights and have a strong sense of social justice? Deakin's Bachelor of Social Work will equip you with the knowledge and skills to enhance the wellbeing of others through an understanding of policy, socioeconomic factors and social equity issues. With job opportunities expected to grow by 23.3% by 2026^, graduate career-ready with the skills to work effectively with individuals, families and communities to address key factors causing inequality.
With an emphasis on progressive, student-centred teaching practices, you will learn the latest approaches to enable social change and improve the lives of others. 1000 hours of practice education placements will give you invaluable hands-on experience as you learn from qualified social work practitioners. You will complete two placements in a variety of communities and workplaces in online, metropolitan, regional or rural settings, ensuring you gain multiple perspectives.
Want to graduate with the skills and professional experience to launch a career in helping others?
This course will empower you to become an enabler of positive social change, helping you to improve the quality of life for those who need it most. You will cover contemporary social topics including:
- human behaviour
- public policy
- working with individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance wellbeing and human rights
- social justice.
You will gain an understanding of a range of social research methods and contemporary welfare issues, allowing you to design and conduct research relevant to social work practice.
We focus on equipping our students with valuable hands-on skills and practical workplace experience. Plus, our strong links with industry and partnership organisations gives you access to a range of guest lecturers, exposing you to a broad range of professional experiences and knowledge. The practice education placements included within this course enable you to graduate with confidence, ready to launch your career in this highly rewarding industry.
The Bachelor of Social Work is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited qualification, so you will graduate with an entry qualification into the social work profession.
^2021 Employment Outlook – for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission.
Indicative student workload
Attendance requirements for Online students
Online students will be required to attend on campus intensive workshops depending upon units of enrolment. Dates for 2023 are available here.
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of learning activities each week. This may include a combination of self-paced study, classes, seminars, simulations and online interactions. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Students completing the course are eligible to apply for membership of AASW and can practise professionally throughout Australia.
Note: All information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the date of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation at any future point in time beyond publication. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course, and the AASW retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.
Career opportunities
Social work is part of a growing human services field, with graduates working across local, state and federal government departments, in private and non-government human services organisations, and in various advocacy, policy making and tribunal capacities.
After completing this course, you will be a sought-after graduate, ready to pursue a rewarding career in social work. You may work in many general and specialist areas of social work such as:
- activism
- advocacy
- child protection
- child and family support
- community development
- consultancy
- counselling
- drug and alcohol counselling
- education
- facilitation
- family therapy
- health
- housing
- policy development and research
- program management and coordination
- refugee assistance and tribunal capacities
- assisting groups such as the aged, women, youth or multicultural populations.
Examples of specific roles you may pursue include:
- careers counsellor
- case manager
- child and family counsellor
- child protection officer
- community development access officer
- community development and education officer
- disability support coordinator
- diversity officer
- drug and alcohol case manager
- family relationship adviser
- mental health coordinator
- school counsellor
- youth projects officer
Participation requirements
During the academic and placement components of a social work degree, students are expected to attend seminars and classes, and/or participate in online learning activities. In person attendance for some activities, including placement, is compulsory for all students including those enrolled as online students.
In accordance with the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) online students are required to attend on campus intensive seminars for a total of 20 days throughout their course. Intensive seminars are linked to individual units of study. Refer to the individual unit details in the University Handbook for more information about attendance requirements for specific units.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Any adjustments need to reflect the understanding of social work and requirements for social work education as spelt out in the (ASWEAS). For example, it is not possible to exempt a student from all group work activities in their degree as students must be able to demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively with others. However, there may be scope to make adjustments to this requirement on particular occasions, provided there are sufficient other situations when the student has the opportunity to demonstrate this requirement. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Police Record Check
In accordance with the policies of health and human services organisations, all students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to undertaking professional placements in each calendar year that they are enrolled in a placement unit. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of a professional placement will not be able to undertake their mandatory placement units and this will impede progress in the course.
Students with a criminal record are not precluded from enrolling in social work degrees at Deakin but may face difficulties in obtaining placements which are required to complete the degree. Many agencies are reluctant to place students whom they perceive may place service users staff or the organisation itself at risk, e.g. when offending has involved crimes of violence against children or adults, or crimes of deception such as fraud and embezzlement.
Working With Children Check (or State/Territory equivalent)
In accordance with the Worker Screening Act 2020, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of professional placement will not be able to undertake their mandatory placement units and this will impede progress in the course.
NDIS Worker Screening Check
Students may be required to undertake a NDIS Worker Screening Check to comply with any requirements as specified by a particular placement organisation. This is an assessment of whether a person poses risk to NDIS participants. A placement organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if they fail to obtain a NDIS Worker Screening Check. This may impede progression in the course
Immunisation Status
Students are a potential source of infection for service users and colleagues and may be required to comply with any requirements for immunisation as specified by a particular placement organisation. Students are required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health and human service organisations where they will be undertaking their professional learning experience. A placement organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the placement organisation. This may impede progression in the course.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are those skills, values and behaviours that students must demonstrate in order to complete the Bachelor of Social Work. Learn more about inherent requirements.
Pathways
H330 Bachelor of Social Work is a qualifying degree and does not have a formal pathway to further study. Graduates can however enrol in a higher degree by research (HDR) such as the H703 Master in Social Work or another discipline. Graduates of H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) can enrol in an HDR Master in Social Work or another discipline or an HDR doctoral program.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply a broad and coherent understanding in contemporary Australian and international contexts of the histories, aims, values, ethics, theories and practice approaches of social work. This knowledge is to cover all domains including working with individuals, families, groups, communities, management, research education and social policy. Practise social work reflectively according to the code of ethics and professional practice standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers. |
| Communication | Evaluate and apply appropriate communication and interpersonal skills in a broad range of social work practice contexts and with a diversity of people, communities and organisations. |
| Digital literacy | Use digital technology in social work practice ethically and appropriately, including in service provision and management, information acquisition and dissemination, and research and evaluation. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge of social work theories, methods and skills, with an emphasis on critical social work with the goal of social change. |
| Problem solving | Apply social work knowledge and intervention skills to appropriately and creatively respond to the needs of individuals, groups and communities in diverse settings, client groups and geographic locations. Apply research knowledge and skills to evaluate evidence and contribute to the role of research in social work practice. |
| Self-management | Engage in critical reflective, reflexive and responsive practice, demonstrating an awareness of social location and positioning of self and others. Demonstrate a developing sense of identity, integrity and self-management as a professional social worker in all areas of practice. Participate in on-going professional development including engaging in professional supervision. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn respectfully and inclusively in collaborative intra and inter disciplinary settings. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in decolonising practises in order to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people as Traditional Owners of Australian lands. Evaluate and apply local and global knowledge of the social, political, cultural, legal and economic contexts of social work practice to respond effectively within a human rights and social justice framework. Work and learn across diverse social, cultural and political locations. |
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Social work students must attain 32 credit points. Units (think of units as 'subjects') may be worth 1, 2, 3 or 4 credit points - check each unit for its credit point value in the course structure below. Most students choose to study 4 credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The course comprises 32 credit points which must include the following:
Pass stream:
- 29 core units (these are compulsory)
- 3 elective units (you can choose which ones to study)
H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours):
- 30 core units including HSW401, HSW402, HSW404, HSW416 and HSW417 (these are compulsory)
- 2 elective units (you can choose which ones to study)
Students must complete two practice education units as part of the core units, each involving a minimum of 500 hours (across at least 65 days) of practicum (field placement) in a social or community service agency or program.
Failure of a practice education placement will normally lead to exclusion.
Inherent requirements
Students should also be aware of the inherent requirements of the course.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| HAI010 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| IND101 | Introduction to Aboriginal Studies |
| ASC101 | Introduction to Sociology: the Sociological Imagination |
| HSW101 | Introduction to Social Work: Social Work Theory and Practice A |
| HBS107 | Understanding Health |
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| ASC102 | Introduction to Sociology: the Sociology of Everyday Life |
| HSW111 | Theories for Social Work Practice: Social Work Theory and Practice B |
| HSW118 | Social Work Methods in Context: Social Work Theory and Practice C |
plus
| HBS110 | Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) |
Or
| HPS111 | Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour |
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| HSW216 | Public Policy and Politics for Critical Social Workers |
| HSW221 | Social Work Research in Ethical and Political Contexts |
| HSW235 | Community Development: Social Work Theory and Practice D |
plus one elective
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| HSW201 | Human Rights and Social Justice: Values, Ethics and the Legal Context of Social Work |
| HSW212 | Practice Skills: Social Work Theory and Practice E |
| HSW219 | Self and Society |
| HSW202 | Placement Readiness: Preparing for Supervised Social Work Practice |
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| HSW314 | Social Work Field Education A |
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| HSW313 | Doing Critical Social Work: Social Work Theory and Practice F |
| HSW316 | Critical Social Policy |
| HSW322 | Applied Social Research in Ethical and Political Context |
Plus one elective
Level 4 - Pass stream
Trimester 1
| HSW402 | Critical Approaches to Social Work: Social Work Theory and Practice G |
| HSW434 | Administration and Policy Development: The Organisational Context |
| HSW452 | Working in Uncertainty: Social Work Theory and Practice H |
plus one elective
Trimester 2
| HSW415 | Social Work Field Education B |
Level 4 - H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
Trimester 1
| HSW401 | Social Work Research Methods |
| HSW402 | Critical Approaches to Social Work: Social Work Theory and Practice G |
| HSW416 | Social Work Honours Research Project A |
Trimester 2
| HSW404 | Social Work Field Education B Research Focused |
| HSW417 | Social Work Honours Research Project B |
Elective units
Elective units may be chosen from any faculty in the University provided that prerequisites are met. A maximum of 2 elective units may be studied at level 1.
Work experience
Practice Education
All students are required to complete two field education placements, each involving a minimum of 500 hours (across at least 65 days) of practicum (field placement) in a health or human service organisation or program.
Students must also attend and participate in the associated pre-placement preparation seminars at the Geelong Waterfront campus in the trimester prior to the placement being undertaken - dates to be advised.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is possible for the first placement only (HSW314-Social Work Field Education A) for students who are able to demonstrate that their prior experience has provided them with the knowledge and experience that would normally be provided in the first placement. Applications for RPL are due 30 November of the year prior to students undertaking their first placement. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Further information is available in the RPL Guidelines
Deakin University does not require any student to have a driver’s licence but encourages students to obtain one if possible. Many placement providers expect students to hold a full driver’s licence and students who do not have this may be limited in the placement opportunities available to them. Organisations which require students to drive as part of their placement work should provide access to an agency vehicle and not expect students to have their own car.
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Eligibility
This course is suitable for students who hold and undergraduate degree in an unrelated study area or do not have an undergraduate degree. If you hold a related undergraduate degree then you may consider our Master of Social Work to fast-track your studies. However, graduates of this course* will not be admitted to the Master of Social Work, please refer to the entry requirements to determine the degree best suited to you.
*Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) are already eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and can practice professionally throughout Australia.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Third party arrangements
Social work has a range of agreements with agencies to deliver practicum experiences, including field educators. These are signed by the Head of School.
Other learning experiences
There is an opportunity for students to take part in exchange programs or study tours.
Research and research-related study
For H430 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), there are four credit points that focus explicitly on research or research training. This is achieved in HSW416 Social Work Honours Research Project A (2 credit points), HSW417 Social Work Honours Research Project B (1 credit point) and the research course work unit HSW401 Social Work Research Methods (1 credit point). In addition, the social work field education placement unit HSW404 Social Work Field Education B Research Focused (3 credit points) not only meets the requirement for applied professional training but also contributes to the research and research training.