Course summary
The Bachelor of Social Welfare provides the theoretical and practical foundation for work in the human services industry. During their studies, students 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.
The course articulates with a range of VET awards. It can also provide a pathway to the University’s Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).

Domestic snapshot
Duration | Location | Session |
---|---|---|
3F/6P | Gold Coast | 1, 2 |
Online | 1, 2 |
International snapshot
Duration | Location | Session |
---|---|---|
3F/6P | Gold Coast | 1, 2 |
Major areas of study
Majors available are:
Children and Young People provides students with a comprehensive introduction to social welfare practice with children and young people in a range of organisational settings including government and non-government agencies. The latest research is explored to understand the ways in which children and young people are conceptualised and identified for human service practice.
Health and Disability examines health and wellbeing as they impact on people and their life opportunities, as well as issues for social welfare workers negotiating the health and disability care systems.
Indigenous Studies assists students to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous world views and history, as well as identifying culturally appropriate ways of working with Indigenous communities. Students gain an appreciation of the origins and effects of trauma across generations and within particular communities.
Please note that some units in this course are only available to study by distance education.
Learning outcomes
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
Assessment items may include essays, research reports, case analysis, assessment of competence on field placement, DVD recording of interviewing skills.
Teaching methods
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 distance education 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: Distance education students are required to attend one three-day residential school to be held at the Gold Coast campus.
Career opportunities
Graduates typically find employment as welfare and community workers in various roles within the community services sector. These 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.
Professional placement
In line with ACWA requirements, students undertake 400 hours of supervised on-the-job training. This is completed in two separate organisations in different fields of practice so that students 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. The social welfare settings such as child protection, drugs and alcohol, criminal justice, community education, housing, emergency relief, family interventions and domestic violence.
Professional recognition
The course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Graduates are eligible to join ACWA.
Related courses
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Social Science with Honours
- Bachelor of Social Science with Honours
- Bachelor of Social Science with Honours
- Bachelor of Social Science with Honours
- Bachelor of Social Science with Honours
- Bachelor of Social Science with Honours
- Bachelor of Social Science with Honours
Type | Detail | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Course code | 3007268 | ||||||||||||
Course abbreviation | BSocWelf | ||||||||||||
Credit points | 288 | ||||||||||||
Equivalent units | 24 | ||||||||||||
Duration | 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time | ||||||||||||
Availability details |
Distance education students attend one three-day residential school at the Gold Coast campus |
||||||||||||
Indicative ATAR/OP | 68 / 13 | ||||||||||||
Fees | Commonwealth supported |
Type | Detail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Course code | 3007268 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Course abbreviation | BSocWelf | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit points | 288 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equivalent units | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Availability details |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
English language IELTS |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Academic scores by country
|
Learning Resources
MySCU is a student's point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.
The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn delivers an advanced online learning environment for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. They can share files, presentations and applications. If a tutorial or lecture is recorded, students can view it afterwards.
Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.
The SCU Library provides a wide range of services that include face-to-face and online help, and access to print and electronic resources.
The Academic Skills team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, assignment reviews and small group or one-on-one face-to-face, phone or Skype consultations during business hours 9am to 4.30pm. Appointments can be made via the MySCU Hub 'Connect Now' button or on the Academic Skills home page. Students can also book appointments online in Career Hub.
The Studiosity service provides online after-hours study support for SCU students. This service is available from 4pm to midnight Sunday to Friday via the 'Connect Now' button on MySCU Hub or from a link in nominated unit learning sites. The Studiosity service offers generic writing feedback and live online chat assistance for foundational concepts and study skills.
Equipment and facilities
Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.Course structure
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
Table of contents
Admission requirements
Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds who have less than 2 years of high school education in Australia or other English speaking country must be able to demonstrate proficiency of English with an IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 across each of the bands of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Course requirements
-
To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Social Welfare degree a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points) comprising:
- all units listed in Part A; and
- one (1) major from Part B; or
- all units listed in Part C plus four (4) electives chosen from any undergraduate degree offered by the University.
-
To be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Social Welfare a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (192 credit points) comprising:
- any units listed in Part A, B or C
- A candidate who, while enrolled for the Bachelor of Social Welfare, has completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Social Welfare may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Social Welfare following withdrawal from the Bachelor degree.
-
To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Social Welfare a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising:
- any units from Part A
- A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor or Social Welfare, has completed the requirements for the Diploma of Social Welfare may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Social Welfare following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor degree.
Advanced standing
Candidates who have completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Social Welfare may be granted advanced standing of up to sixteen (16) units in the Bachelor of Social Welfare.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Bachelor of Social Welfare/Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) Pathway
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
It is possible to accelerate your studies if you intend to complete the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) after successful completion of the Bachelor of Social Welfare. | |||
Year 1, Session 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
Year 1, Session 2 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
1st Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
Year 2, Session 1 | |||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
Year 2, Session 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
2nd Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
Year 3, Session 1 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Intermediate | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
3rd Major OR University Wide Elective | |||
Year 3, Session 2 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 | |
4th Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
Year 3, Session 3 | |||
WEL91003 - Social Work Foundations for Practice | Introductory | ||
WEL91004 - Social Work Direct Practice I | Introductory | ||
WEL91002 - Social Policy and Law for Social Work | Introductory | ||
Year 4, Session 1 | |||
WEL92001 - Social Work across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
WEL92002 - Social Work in Groups and Communities | Advanced | ||
IHE03386 - Health and Indigenous Peoples | Intermediate | ||
Year 4, Session 2 | |||
WEL92003 - Research for Social Work | Advanced | ||
WEL91005 - Social Work Direct Practice II | Intermediate | ||
WEL92004 - Social Work Organisations, Leadership and Management | Advanced | ||
WEL92005 - Social Work Field Placement IIa | Advanced | Note 1 | |
Year 4, Session 3 | |||
WEL92006 - Social Work Field Placement IIb | Advanced |
Session 2 Commencing
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on. | |||
Year 1, Session 2 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
1st Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
Year 2, Session 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
Year 2, Session 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
Year 3, Session 1 | |||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Intermediate | ||
Year 3, Session 2 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
2nd Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
3rd Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
Year 4, Session 1 | |||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
4th Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Accelerated Progression
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on. | |||
Year 1, Session 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
Year 1, Session 2 | |||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
1st Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
2nd Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
Year 1, Session 3 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
Year 2, Session 1 | |||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
Year 2, Session 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
3rd Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
4th Major unit OR University Wide Elective | |||
Year 2, Session 3 | |||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
Year 3, Session 1 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Intermediate | ||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Part B Major
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on. | |||
Year 1, Session 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
Year 1, Session 2 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
1st Part B Major unit | |||
Year 2, Session 1 | |||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
Year 2, Session 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
2nd Part B Major unit | |||
Year 3, Session 1 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Intermediate | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
3rd Part B Major unit SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
4th Part B Major unit | |||
Year 3, Session 2 | |||
5th Part B Major unit SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
6th Part B Major unit | |||
7th & 8th Part B Major unit CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 |
Part C and 4 Electives Option
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on. | |||
Year 1, Session 1 | |||
POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory | ||
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
COM10001 - Effective Communication | Introductory | ||
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
Year 1, Session 2 | |||
SOY10105 - Introduction to Social Welfare | Introductory | ||
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice | Introductory | ||
BHS00130 - Community Development | Introductory | ||
1st University Wide Elective | |||
Year 2, Session 1 | |||
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | ||
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning | Intermediate | ||
CSL00113 - Field Education I | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
Year 2, Session 2 | |||
CSL10242 - Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling | Intermediate | ||
SOC00112 - Social Policy | Introductory | ||
LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
2nd University Wide Elective | |||
Year 3, Session 1 | |||
CSL10297 - Issues of Protection | Intermediate | ||
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research | Intermediate | ||
SOY10108 - Advocacy and Change | Intermediate | ||
3rd University Wide Elective | |||
Year 3, Session 2 | |||
SOC00107 - Social Planning and Innovation | Intermediate | ||
CSL00114 - Field Education II | Advanced | Note 1 | |
4th University Wide Elective |
Notes
Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |
Applications are not available for 2016. Please select a different year above or see Course Options for courses currently offered.
The information on this page may be subject to change over time. Please check this web page again before acting and see our disclaimer
From the 1st of June, 2017, the term 'Distance Education' has been replaced with 'Online'