UndergraduatePsychology
Bachelor of Social Work
Southern Cross University, Lismore/Gold Coast/Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
About this program
The Bachelor of Social Work is an entry-level, professionally accredited qualification to practise as a social worker. This high job growth area offers a variety of careers in client service roles, service management, research, strategy and policy development. The course prepares students to work in a diverse range of fields including health and mental health, child and family welfare, cross-cultural work and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, youth work, homelessness, domestic and family violence, disability, drug and alcohol, community development, and advocacy. Underpinned by core principles of social justice and human rights, the course engages students in contemporary anti-oppressive, decolonised and trauma-informed approaches to social work practice. Core units within the course cover essential theories, methods and skills for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. These are complemented by foundational studies in Indigenous world views, sociology, politics, human development and social research. An elective stream provides opportunity for students to pursue their interests and develop knowledge in a range of disciplines. Please note: All students, including those enrolled online, are required to participate in on-campus learning for a minimum of 20 days/150hrs over the duration of the course. This requirement is stipulated by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). On-campus enrolled students meet this minimum requirement by participating in four units with compulsory attendance. Online students meet this requirement by attending compulsory residential schools conducted at the Gold Coast campus. Units with compulsory participation and on-campus residential schools are identified in the course structure section below (‘note 2’). Students should also refer to the enrolment information for these units. This course has travel expectations - please read the information below on placements carefully.
Fees & duration
English test scores
Verified scu.edu.au ↗
Course structure
- Core UnitsUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesPOLT1001Australian PoliticsSOCI1001Introduction to SociologyCRTV1002Create: Innovate: ChangeINDG1001Indigenous World-ViewsWELF1001Introduction to Social WelfareWELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice Note 2WELF1002Community DevelopmentSOCI1005Social PolicyPSYC2004Lifespan PsychologyWELF2005Case Management and Care PlanningSWRK2001Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships Note 2SOCI2006Doing Social ResearchWELF2003Trauma Informed PracticeINDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian PeoplesSWRK2002Social Work Practice II - Teams and GroupsSWRK3001Social Work Practice III - Mental HealthSWRK3002Social Work Practice IV - Organisational PracticeSWRK2005Social Work Placement I Note 1
- Note 3SWRK3003Social Work Practice V - Policy and Community ActivismSWRK3004Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods Note 2WELF3002Issues of ProtectionSWRK3005Social Work Practice VII - Social Work in Legal Contexts Note 2WELF3003Disability and Community PracticeSWRK3010Social Work Placement II Note 1
- Note 3 POLT1001
- POLT1001Australian Politics
- SOCI1001Introduction to Sociology
- CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
- INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
- WELF1001Introduction to Social Welfare
- WELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice
- WELF1002Community Development
- SOCI1005Social Policy
- PSYC2004Lifespan Psychology
- WELF2005Case Management and Care Planning
- SWRK2001Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships
- SOCI2006Doing Social Research
- WELF2003Trauma Informed Practice
- INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
- SWRK2002Social Work Practice II - Teams and Groups
- SWRK3001Social Work Practice III - Mental Health
- SWRK3002Social Work Practice IV - Organisational Practice
- SWRK2005Social Work Placement I
- SWRK3003Social Work Practice V - Policy and Community Activism
- SWRK3004Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods
- WELF3002Issues of Protection
- SWRK3005Social Work Practice VII - Social Work in Legal Contexts
- WELF3003Disability and Community Practice
- SWRK3010Social Work Placement II
- OR
- Honours Pathway
- Students who have completed the first 16 units (192 credit points) listed in the recommended course progression with a GPA of at least 5.0 will be invited to apply for consideration for transfer to the Honours Pathway and complete the below unit. After this students can elect to transfer to the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) or remain and use this unit as an elective:
- SWRK4003Social Work Honours Thesis I | Core Units: POLT1001 Australian Politics
- SOCI1001Introduction to Sociology
- CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
- INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
- WELF1001Introduction to Social Welfare
- WELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice
- WELF1002Community Development
- SOCI1005Social Policy
- PSYC2004Lifespan Psychology
- WELF2005Case Management and Care Planning
- SWRK2001Social Work Practice I - Building Relationships
- SOCI2006Doing Social Research
- WELF2003Trauma Informed Practice
- INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
- SWRK2002Social Work Practice II - Teams and Groups
- SWRK3001Social Work Practice III - Mental Health
- SWRK3002Social Work Practice IV - Organisational Practice
- SWRK2005Social Work Placement I
- SWRK3003Social Work Practice V - Policy and Community Activism
- SWRK3004Social Work Practice VI - Advanced Practice Methods
- WELF3002Issues of Protection
- SWRK3005Social Work Practice VII - Social Work in Legal Contexts
- WELF3003Disability and Community Practice
- SWRK3010Social Work Placement II
Career & PR pathway
Which careers in Psychology lead to skilled migration depends on the occupation, not the degree title. See the skilled occupation lists guide for which occupations are on each list, and the points calculator to check where you stand.
Admissions
ATAR: 60. To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Work, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising: 24 core units (336 credit points), and 4 electives (48 credit points) Honours Pathway Students who have completed the first 16 units (192 credit points) listed in the recommended course progression of the Bachelor of Social Work with a GPA of at least 5.0 will be invited to apply for consideration for transfer to the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours). Work Integrated Learning This course includes work integrated learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on the Faculty of Health Work Integrated Learning page must be met prior to work integrated learning. All work integrated learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated. Inherent Requirements Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Inclusion Support website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Inclusion Support website for further information and contact details.
More Psychology programs
Associate degree in Psychology Studies
Adelaide University · Undergraduate
Associate Degree in Youth Studies (exit only)
Western Sydney University · Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Macquarie University · Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
University of Notre Dame Australia · Undergraduate
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (exit award only)
University of Queensland · Undergraduate
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)
Queensland University of Technology · Undergraduate
Why trust Where To Apply
- Official sources onlyEvery deadline, fee, and requirement traces to a university, government, or admissions-body page.
- Dated and re-checkedEach fact carries the date it was last verified, on a quarterly re-verification cadence.
- IndependentNo university pays for inclusion, a better write-up, or a higher rank. We are not an education agent.
- Named editor, public methodWritten and maintained by a named operator against a published methodology.