Course summary
The Bachelor of Community Welfare provides you with the theoretical and practical foundations for work in the human services sector. You will gain skills in case management, community development, counselling, social research, policy work, advocacy, and grief and loss counselling.
Particular emphasis is placed on social justice and human rights as the basis for social welfare practice. Core units focus on counselling, case management, mental health, human services, research, youth work, disability and development. You may choose from a range of units.
We'll help harness your empathy and enhance your communication skills with a view to delivering great outcomes across community welfare practice. You will also gain on-the-job experience through extensive placements, working with individuals and organisations that share your commitment and are working to improve people's lives.
The course articulates with a range of VET awards and is a pathway to the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) which fulfils the academic pre-requisites for registration as a social worker.
Domestic snapshot
| Duration | Location | Session |
|---|---|---|
3F/6P | Coffs Harbour | 1, 2 |
| Gold Coast | 1, 2 | |
| Online | 1, 2 |
International snapshot
| Duration | Location | Session |
|---|---|---|
3F | Gold Coast | 1, 2 |
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Understand the social, cultural, economic and political contexts of social welfare practice and the implications of these for working with clients, workers and community services. |
| Creativity | Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programs, projects and other activities with clients, which may include individuals, families, groups or communities. |
| Ethical practice | Practise social welfare in an ethical manner, in accordance with the values and ethics of the profession. |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Use one's own skills and knowledge appropriately and reflectively with clients, colleagues, employers and the wider community. |
| Lifelong learning | Become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners. |
| Communication and social skills | Communicate with a broad spectrum of people and organisations using appropriate techniques and media organisations. Plan, organise and carry out work autonomously and as part of a team. |
| Cultural competence | Communicate constructively in a manner that is respectful of the diverse cultures in which we work and live. |
Assessment methods may include essays, research reports, case analysis, assessment of capabilities on field placement, recording of interviewing skills.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Please note: Students who undertake the course online are required to attend one three-day residential workshop on campus.
Graduates of this course will have opportunities to use their transferable skills in human services careers that might include government and non-government positions in fields such as child protection, disability services, housing services, youth work, aged care, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, community engagement, mental health services, and domestic violence services.
The Bachelor of Community Welfare articulates with a range of VET awards. It can also provide a pathway to our Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying), which is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). The Masters degree is for graduates who have undertaken prior study in the social sciences, social welfare, psychology, or related fields. Graduates of this Masters degree will qualify as social workers in Australia and may also be eligible to apply to work as social workers overseas.
In line with ACWA requirements, you complete 400 hours of supervised on-the-job training. This is completed in two separate organisations in different fields of practice so that you gain a diversity of experience.
Placements may include working across a variety of client groups, such as older people, or young people and families at the individual, group, organisational or community level of practice. You may undertake placements in social welfare settings such as child protection, drugs and alcohol, criminal justice, community education, housing, emergency relief, family interventions and domestic violence.
All students must obtain a National Police Check and Working with Children Check and most agencies require students to have a driver's licence.
The course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Graduates are eligible to join ACWA.