Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Be an advocate for social justice and human rights. Make a real difference to the lives of people in need. Excel in your career in one of the fastest growing professions.

You might be a new graduate looking for a clear career path or an experienced social worker wanting to take the next step in your professional life. Or perhaps you are ready for a career change and want to step into social work.

Whatever your background, we'll prepare you to work across human and community services in government bodies, non-government organisations, community and health services and more. You'll become confident working with migrants, people with alcohol, drug and mental health problems and in palliative care, child protection, youth services and much more.

You'll be exposed to challenging real life situations through 140 days during your studies in social work settings, being mentored by experienced professionals in the field. Then, once you graduate, you can go on to be a qualified social worker, take up management positions or work in national or international policy development. A wide range of scholarships are also available for students to provide you with financial support. Visit our Scholarship page for details.

Academic entry requirements

Successful completion of a relevant* Bachelor degree with at least one year of study, or the equivalent of full time studies in social and behavioural sciences.

*Relevant Bachelor degrees should have at least one year of study in any of the following disciplines:

• Human welfare studies and services which includes social work, youth work, community work, welfare studies and counselling;

• Behavioural science which includes psychology or behavioural science;

• Studies in human society which includes sociology, anthropology, Indigenous studies or gender specific studies;

• Or other disciplines such as political science, policy studies, family law, justice administration, legal studies, family and consumer studies, education with a focus on welfare, public health, health promotion, community health, public health, mental health nursing or community nursing.

or:

Successful completion of a related Bachelor degree with four relevant courses (equal to 0.5 EFTSL) and successful completion of an Australian Graduate Certificate in Social and Community Services https://study.federation.edu.au/search/?term=dgc4

English language requirements

Academic IELTS with an overall score of 7.0, with no band less than 7.0 in listening, reading, writing and speaking or equivalent.

Extra requirements

Essential requirements for enrolment or graduation:
Working with Children Check is compulsory. Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
Police record check is compulsory. Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course.
Students undertaking placement at some agencies will be required to undertake a NDIS Work Screening Check.
National Police Record Checks and NDIS Working Screen Checks are at the student’s own expense.

Federation University accepts a variety of English language tests as proof of English proficiency. English proficiency assessment should be made using an external English test (Academic IELTS or equivalent) with the results determining whether the student can enter into our programs directly or via an appropriate English program.

From 1 July 2016 direct entry without an external English test will be only permitted when student meets the English exemption requirements described on the Federation English language requirements page as per the Simplified Student Visa Framework’s English requirements.

Professional social work positions in hospitals, community health care, child protection, justice, community development, local government, government policy, social research, advocacy and many more.

Social worker

Application cut-off dates vary depending on whether you are onshore or offshore, and which intake you are applying for. For more information, please refer to our cut-off dates. We recommend you apply as early as possible to allow adequate time for processing. Lodging your application FedUni has introduced a new online application centre called StudyLink. International students should submit applications through StudyLink. If you have any questions, please refer to our Frequently asked questions page or contact us Please note: students applying from India, Nepal,Pakistan,Lebanon, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana must apply through an Agent. Direct applications from these countries will not be processed. Application fee Students who apply via StudyLink will attract a $25 application fee. The application fee is not refundable under any circumstances and must be paid upfront for your application to be processed. The online application fee can be waived if you: have an eVoucher from an education expo are an existing FedUni student applying to change programs are sponsored by the government of your home country or another foreign country are sponsored by an Australian Federal, State or Territory government are sponsored by a gazetted organisation (Rotary International, Red Cross, Ford Foundation) or other acceptable non-profit organisation apply through an Authorised FedUni Agent Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning We welcome students from other recognised institutions and will offer advanced standing or credit for units passed (with satisfactory grades) where those units are deemed equivalent in content and standard to those offered at FedUni. The transfer of credit will allow you to undertake fewer units, thereby reducing the overall number of units needed for your FedUni qualification. To apply for credit transfer for previous studies, you must: Upload certified copies of all your official transcripts or results from your previous studies, plus copies of the subject syllabuses and grading system with your application. Formally request credit transfer when you apply. Eligibility for credit can only be assessed when full documentation has been provided. Credit must be approved in writing before you enrol, otherwise, you may not receive the credit. Applicants should not send original documents, as they will not be returned. Please note: Documents that are not in English need to be officially translated and submitted along with the copies in the original language. Supporting documents must be issued by the relevant educational institution, and properly certified as genuine copies.