Overview
Make a real difference in a rewarding career with a Bachelor of Social Work from Victoria University (VU).
Prepare yourself for roles that address social issues and help to improve people’s quality of life.
Take advantage of VU’s strong connections with a range of important community organisations. Your social work degree includes 1000 hours of work integrated learning (WIL) experience across two Social Work Field Education placements in two different human service agency settings.
Build on your passion for human rights, social justice and social development with an in-depth understanding of:
- interpersonal and group work
- community development
- family violence
- mental health
- policy analysis
- social research
- social action.
Gain the skills and knowledge to develop the potential of individuals, groups and communities, preparing you for a diverse range of job opportunities from federal and state government to hospitals, non-government organisations or community services.
By studying a social work degree at VU, you’ll graduate work-ready and be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
1000 hours of work-integrated learning in two placements
As a VU student, you will engage in practice-based learning opportunities essential to developing your professional practice, under the close supervision and support of social workers.
Benefit from opportunities to gain on-the-ground experience in a diverse range of settings that align with your areas of passion and interest, whether that be education, health, aged care, child and family services.
Gain strong practical skills and build your network by working across two organisations, plus gain valuable insights into areas of practice that align with your interests.
We have partner organisations across a range of settings including:
- acute, subacute, and community health settings
- city councils
- child and family services
- the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- emergency and community housing
- neighbourhood houses
- secondary schools
- youth mental health.
Join a diverse community dedicated to empowerment
Studying with us means you’ll be learning in an environment that values community empowerment.
Enjoy being a part of a university that truly believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity, and has a rich representation of cultures. VU received the highest rating of five stars for cultural diversity by the Good Universities Guide.
VU also works to address refugee issues, tackle diversity and social inclusion, and improve the health and social wellbeing of the region. We are proud of our cultural diversity initiatives and projects with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities.
Get learning advice – 24/7
Achieve your full potential with our Learning Hubs, which help you develop your confidence, academic ability, and study skills.
Benefit from in-person mentoring and study sessions, along with a range of digital learning modules that you can access anytime.
Get help from our online, 24/7 support service to polish your assignments before you submit, and receive guidance on writing, referencing, maths and more.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backCareers in social work
As a qualified social worker eligible for accreditation by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), you’ll be ready for a variety of roles within not-for-profit and charitable organisations, as well as the community and government sectors. Your job title could be:
- social worker
- community health centre counsellor
- youth worker
- drug and alcohol worker
- homelessness policy officer.
Take advantage of the strong future growth expected in social work, which is expected to grow very strongly over the next five years.
On completion of this degree, graduates will be eligible for membership of the AASW.
Course structure
To attain the Bachelor of Social Work, students will be required to complete:
- 384 credit points of Core studies.
Course structure and units
Year One
-
- Unit code
- ABA1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- AEK1105
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASA1024
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASX1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHB1104
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHH1000
- Credits
- 12
Year Two
-
- Unit code
- ASW2090
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW2102
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW2103
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW2104
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW2202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW3097
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW3101
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW3103
- Credits
- 12
Year Three
-
- Unit code
- AEK3203
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APS2030
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW2013
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW3002
- Credits
- 48
-
- Unit code
- ASW3300
- Credits
- 12
Year Four
-
- Unit code
- ASW3096
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW3104
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW4002
- Credits
- 48
-
- Unit code
- ASW4003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASW4004
- Credits
- 12
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate cultural humility, value diversity among peoples and engage in decolonising practices that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Traditional Owners of Australian lands; | ||
| 2. | Articulate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary social work practice and its contribution to the creation and maintenance of a more just and equitable society which respects the inherent dignity, worth and autonomy of every person and community; | ||
| 3. | Appraise understandings of social welfare and social policy in the Australian context emphasising origins, functions, ideological bases and power relations; | ||
| 4. | Critique, synthesise and apply theories, knowledge and values of social work and related bodies of knowledge with a particular emphasis on critical social work and the goal of social change; | ||
| 5. | Apply social work knowledge, values, research and intervention skills to intervene and respond to the needs of diverse individuals, groups and communities; | ||
| 6. | Demonstrate ethical and critically reflective professional conduct using skills, knowledge, power, and professional authority in ways that serve humanity; and | ||
| 7. | Exemplify readiness for beginning social work practice and display collaborative and inclusive professional work and learning behaviours. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admissions
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Admission criteria
The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.
Inherent Requirements
'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.
You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.
We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)
- Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
- an Australian or overseas equivalent or
- an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Importance of ATAR for this course
We consider both ATAR and other criteria
ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
Why is ATAR not applicable?
You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study
This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
Applicants with higher education study
This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.
Admission criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
Applicants with work & life experience
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Human Services or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
Additional information
To be eligible for placement students must meet requirements of placement agencies and submit mandatory documentation including:
National Police Checks (which are required for the year in which the students undertake placement so a minimum of 2 checks will be required over 2 years),
International Police check for students who, after the age of 16 have been a citizen or permanent resident of any country other than Australia or resided continuously in any country other than Australia for 12 months or longer
Working with Children Check (valid for 5 years)
NDIS Worker Screening check
Evidence of being fully COVID-19 vaccinated
Evidence of meeting immunisation requirements for a health placement which includes Hepatitis B, MMR, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, Varicella, Tuberculosis and Influenza.
It is possible that individual placement agencies will require additional site specific documentation and pre-placement preparation.
It is important to plan for potential loss of income during placement. Students may need to reduce or cease their usual employment during their social work placements since each placement equates to 500 hours over a continuous period.
Under certain circumstances there may be a fee associated with a clinical placement. For placement fee details relevant to your course refer to https://www.vu.edu.au/current-students/your-course/fees/additional-fees-....
Pathways & credits
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Pathways from VU courses
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
Available start dates:
- 24 February 2025
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
All applicants must complete an A305 - Additional Information for Bachelor of Social Work.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply through VTAC
Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:
- you are applying for more than one course
- you are completing Year 12 in 2023
- you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2024
VTAC very late applications are due 14 January 2025.
Apply via VTACSpecial Entry Access Scheme
You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.
Apply direct to VU
Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:
- you are a current VU student
- you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2023
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
