Social work student in workplace setting with children
B-SCWK

Social Work

Bachelor degree pass/honours

Develop the comprehensive skills to help individuals and groups and promote positive relationships, equality, human rights and social change.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Minimum ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Social Work
  • Duration

    Duration

    4 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    800
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    068620K
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2024

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

2025

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

2026

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

Course outline
Social Work

Outline

Outline

In this course, you will gain the skills to work with individuals, groups and communities to address barriers that impact quality of life; promote positive relationships; and advocate for human rights and social change at the societal, individual, policy and legislative levels.

You’ll study in-depth human behaviour and complex social processes; and draw on knowledge from various disciplines – including sociology, psychology, politics, philosophy, health and economics – to learn how people engage with each other, their communities and society.

Throughout your studies, you‘ll develop the skills and values needed to counsel individuals and groups; and to work with children, young people, adults, the elderly, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

You’ll complete two supervised fieldwork placements (totalling 1,050 hours over four years), applying your learning in work environments and developing your professional identity.

What jobs can the Social Work course lead to?

Careers

  • Social worker
  • Community cultural development officer
  • Community liaison officer
  • Support/outreach officer
  • Mental health worker
  • Welfare case worker

Industries

  • Healthcare
  • Aged care
  • Community corrections and juvenile justice
  • Disability and rehabilitation
  • International development and assistance
  • Refugee services

What you'll learn

  • develop, integrate and apply social work values, knowledge, principles of social work; provide assessment and intervention appropriate to practice context
  • to critically and reflectively analyse issues; generate creative and sustainable solutions across a diversity of contexts
  • locate, evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources, in enacting in social work practice
  • communicate effectively using a variety of media relevant to the audience and in keeping with ethical principles
  • use appropriate technologies to locate and evaluate information, undertake research, and communicate within and beyond the discipline of Social Work
  • sustain intellectual curiosity by using a range of learning strategies, including professional supervision
  • demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationship between local and global issues, considering multiple perspectives; apply national and international professional standards
  • value and respect the knowledge of Indigenous Australians; demonstrate cultural competencies and inclusive practices; demonstrate commitment to social justice including human rights
  • work effectively and creatively within a variety of practice settings; provide accountable and responsive leadership; demonstrate professional behaviour consistent with social work values, principles, ethics and practice standards

Why study Social Work

Top global university rating

Curtin is one of only 20 universities worldwide to receive a QS Five Stars Plus rating – the highest possible for a tertiary education institution.

Highly ranked course

The Good Universities Guide (2024) has awarded Curtin a five-star rating for full-time employment and learner engagement in the Social Work undergraduate field of study.

Work experience

This course includes practical, supervised fieldwork placements.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and MC Verbal

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

Year one and two may be studied part-time. Students are encouraged to study years three and four full-time.

For mid-year enrolment, there may be restrictions on unit availability and enrolment may be on a part-time basis only, which could extend the course duration. Mid-year enrolment is not available to international students. 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Ranking and Selection Process

 

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and MC Verbal

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

Year one and two may be studied part-time. Students are encouraged to study years three and four full-time.

For mid-year enrolment, there may be restrictions on unit availability and enrolment may be on a part-time basis only, which could extend the course duration. Mid-year enrolment is not available to international students. 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Ranking and Selection Process

 

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    • AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required; or
    • AQF Diploma; or
    • AQF Advanced Diploma.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and MC Verbal

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

Year one and two may be studied part-time. Students are encouraged to study years three and four full-time.

For mid-year enrolment, there may be restrictions on unit availability and enrolment may be on a part-time basis only, which could extend the course duration. Mid-year enrolment is not available to international students. 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Ranking and Selection Process

 

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  1. Completed a minimum of 75 credit points
  2. A Course Weighted Average (CWA) of 60% or higher
  3. An academic status of 'Good Standing'

Contact the Course Coordinator if you do not meet these requirements as consideration may be given to students with extenuating circumstances.

UniReady
Successful completion of the UniReady Enabling Program.

Course switching may lengthen the duration of your course depending on what units you have completed in your previous studies. 

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses from another higher education course provider.

Please check our general admission criteria

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

Year one and two may be studied part-time. Students are encouraged to study years three and four full-time.

For mid-year enrolment, there may be restrictions on unit availability and enrolment may be on a part-time basis only, which could extend the course duration. Mid-year enrolment is not available to international students. 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Ranking and Selection Process

 

1. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.

2. Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.

3. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.

4. In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

 

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

2024 Fee year:

$8,700*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

To be eligible for the Commonwealth supported fee:

  • Australian citizens must complete some of their course of study while residing in Australia.
  • Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens must be residing in Australia for the entire course.

For further information on eligibility please refer to the Australian Government Study Assist website.

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2024

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

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  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: B-SCWK
  • CRICOS code: 068620K
  • Last updated on: 5 October 2024

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