Bachelor of Social Work

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.

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.

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.

Achieve your full potential with The Learning Hub, 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.

Read more about The Learning Hub

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

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 (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

• guide for your learning during the course
• way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Additional information

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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-charges.