Rank thresholdATAR: 62 SR: 62
Duration4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Location
Online
Next start termTerm 2, 2024
Study modeOnline
Course codeCL71
First-year fee
$10,788 (Indicative) (CSP)
Two students studying together

Overview

Make a difference in your community, and explore your passion for helping others as a qualified social worker with CQUniversity's Bachelor of Social Work.

Completing this Bachelor of Social Work enables you to be recognised as a professional and eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Over the course of four years, you will develop an understanding of the practice methods, skills, knowledge and values of the social work profession. With an emphasis on problem-based learning, you will gain valuable experience in critical and reflective thinking and practice.

You will have the opportunity to complete two field education placements where you will begin to apply your developing knowledge and skills and see in-practice examples of theory.

Whether you seek a career in policy, research, direct practice with families groups or communities, this degree will ensure you are equipped with the skills, knowledge and values to assist the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our communities to achieve the best outcomes.

  • CNS TRACEY DANGAARD 022.jpg
    I chose this course because the future needs a change, it needs help. It's unbalanced, and people need to recognise that and if I can help in any sort of slight way to change the world for a better impact, even if it's just one person at a time, I'm happy to do that.

    Tracey Dangaard

    STEPS and Bachelor of Social Work

Career Opportunities

A social work qualification provides a wide range of employment opportunities across diverse fields of practice. Many of these will involve social workers assisting client groups to achieve social inclusion, supporting people to achieve a better quality of life and facilitate individual and community well-being. Graduates have the opportunity to practice in a large number of human services across every state and territory as well as in many overseas countries. The most prominent sectors in which social workers are found are in health, government administration, child protection, youth justice, prisons, disability, aged care, mental health, and working with people from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. Social workers are employed at federal, state and local levels of government. Non-government agencies in the community sector are also large employers of social work graduates where the work can include counselling, case-management, early intervention strategies with families at risk, advocacy, mediation and community development. Agencies include Relationships Australia, Anglicare, Baptist Care, Red Cross, Women's Health and many others. A growing trend for social workers with several years experience is moving into private practice focusing on the mental health issues experienced by their clients.

Structure & Availability

Course structure

You are required to complete 28 core units.

Unit information

For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

Credit transfer information

If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer

Online Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2023Available Online
Term 2, 2023Available Online
Term 1, 2024Available Online
Term 2, 2024Available Online
Term 1, 2025Available Online
Term 2, 2025Available Online

Majors and minors are not applicable to this course.

Students are required to attend a minimum of 20 days (4 x 5 days of residential school) throughout the course. Residential schools are connected to specific social work units in the course. These can change from time to time. These are currently scheduled as follows:

Year 1 Residential Program
SOWK11015 Professional Communication in Human Services (Term 2)
Year 2 Residential Program
SOWK12009 Casework & Case Management (Term 1)
Year 3 Residential Program
SOWK13010 Integrating Theory & Practice 1 (Term 1)
Year 4 Residential Program
SOWK14010 Integrating Theory and Practice 2 (Term 2)
Residential dates and requirements are available in the CQUni Handbook.
Fieldwork Education 2 - SOWK14009

Field Education 2 (SOWK 14009) is the final integrated learning placement. The placement occurs in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and with the supervision by a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in international, metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with pre-requisites, and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative/screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings.

Fieldwork Education 1 - SOWK13009

This is the first work integrated learning placement. The placement occurs in an agency approved by the University Field Education Coordinators and with the supervision by a qualified social worker. Field education may be organised in international, metropolitan, urban, regional, rural and remote areas. Students must complete all units in accordance with pre-requisites, and undertake a successful interview with the Field Education Coordinator to determine placement readiness. Students must meet the inherent requirements for the course and successfully complete all necessary administrative/screening and legal obligations to undertake placement in organisational settings.

Requirements

 

 

Rank Threshold

 

A rank threshold is the minimum competitive rank that applications will be considered for entry to this course. The rank threshold for this course is: SR 62 | ATAR 62.0

 

Lowest Ranks

 

The lowest selection rank refers to the lowest rank to which an offer was made for an intake or term and includes adjustment factors applied to an applicant's ATAR such as the Regional Adjustment Scheme and Educational Access Scheme. An ATAR with adjustment factors applied is referred to as a selection rank.

The lowest selection ranks (includes adjustment factors) for Term 1, 2023 for the following locations are as follows:

Online: 63.1

Please note entry to courses is competitive and the lowest score (ATAR or selection rank) will vary from year to year and campus to campus and is provided as a historical guide of past performance.

 

Student Profile

If you would like to know more about entry scores for applicants with recent education and the student profile for this course view our Course and Entry Score Profile for Term 1, 2023.

Institute profile

To find out about CQUniversity's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2023 view our Institute Profile.

 

Recommended study

Studies of Society, Community work, Information Technology literacy

Prerequisites

English (Units 3 and 4, C)

When applying, you must demonstrate that you have met the listed Entry Requirements and English Language Proficiency requirements.

After you have applied and enrolled in this course, you will need to be able to meet the Security and Health Requirements as these generally relate to work-integrated learning activities that form part of your course. You will be provided with more information about security and health requirements after enrolling in the relevant units that these relate to. 

Entry Requirements

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.  Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 in each subset; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBt - 94 or better overall and no score less than 24 for listening and reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking; or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic  (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 65 with no sub-score less than 65.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an International Student, please visit International students english requirements for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.    

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.

Mandatory health requirements may include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. 

Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance, NDIS and working with children check.

Other mandatory requirements include a student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.

You will have to meet this course's inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes.

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative Fees

Fee TypeFees
Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee$10,788
Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee$22,281

Indicative first-year fee

The fees listed are indicative only and based on enrolling in a full-time study load for one academic year (generally, this is eight units over two terms). Your fees may vary depending on the units you select and the number you study per term. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Commonwealth support and government assistance loans

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees if you meet eligibility requirements. If offered a CSP, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. Learn more about paying for university.

Other study costs

Part of your course costs includes Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). There may also be additional costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more. 

How to apply

StateAdmission Code
New South WalesOnline: 160552
QueenslandOnline: 851505
Western AustraliaOnline: 150552
Northern TerritoryOnline: 150552
South AustraliaOnline: 150552
TasmaniaOnline: 150552
VictoriaOnline: 150552

If you have decided what you would like to study and are ready to apply, we’re here to help you along the way. Before you apply, you will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have a USI, creating one is quick and easy. Simply visit usi.gov.au to create one.

Want to know more about application dates and other admission information?
View our important dates information and read about other admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support.

What’s the best way to apply?

  • Option 1: Ideal for most situations, whether you have completed high school recently or some time ago.
  • Option 2: Ideal if you are studying with one of our partner study hubs.
  • Option 3: Ideal if you have previously studied with CQUni.

Option 1: Ideal for most situations, apply via a tertiary admission centre

View the table below for the best application option based on where you live.

If you live in Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC)*
Queensland Apply via QTAC
New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Apply via UAC
Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia  Apply via ApplyCQUNI

*Please note that you may be required to pay a fee when applying via a TAC.


Option 2: Want to study with one of our partner study hubs? Apply via ApplyCQUni

Benefit from local teaching and learning support with one of our delivery partners.

If you are studying with: Study Support
Pilbara Universities Centre (Karratha) Supported online study which may include local tutorial support, and access to local study facilities.
Geraldton Universities Centre  Supported online study which may include local tutorial support, and access to local study facilities.

Across Australia, you can access local spaces, technology and facilities offered by any one of our Regional University Centre partners.

ApplyCQUNI


Option 3: If you have previously studied with CQU, apply direct.

As a past CQU student, you may be eligible to apply directly to CQU for this course. To apply directly, your prior study with CQU must be a completed or partially completed CQU course or unit, including:

  • CQU’s Skills for Tertiary Entrance Preparatory Studies (STEPS), Tertiary Entrance Program (TEP), or Start Uni Now (SUN) units.
  • A CQU certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master or research higher degree, or a unit within these courses.