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Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

*Provisional accreditation is traditionally assigned to a new program which has not yet delivered its first graduates. Provisional and Conditional accreditation does not impact graduates of a course with this status. Graduates have the same eligibility and standing as graduates fully accredited programs.

Please note: not all electives will be available in all sessions. Please contact Student Central for more information about study plan options.

Key information

Study mode and locations
Study modeOn campusLocationsSydney
Sessions
Next start dateNovember 16, 2026Session 2July 13, 2026Session 3November 16, 2026
Duration
Minimum time2 years full-timeMaximum time4 years
Entry score
See entry requirementsView entry requirements
Indicative fees
International on campusFee paying overseas:Full-time$34,496 per yearPart-time$17,248 per year
Course points and codes
Credit Points:128AQF:Level 9

What you will study

For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.

Essential set

128 credit points

The essential subject set consists of subjects that meet the specific depth of knowledge and skills requirements for the disciplinary or professional area of study in a course.
Core subjects

Core

88 credit points

  • HCS507 Social Work Theory and Practice 1 - Foundations of Practice (8 points)
  • HCS508 Social Work Theory and Practice 2 - Micro Practice (8 points)
  • HCS509 Social Work Theory and Practice 3 - Mezzo level Practice (8 points)
  • HCS511 Social Work Theory and Practice 4- Macro Practice and Professional Identity (8 points)
  • HCS518 Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan (postgraduate) (8 points)
  • HCS519 Power, Oppression, Violence and Trauma (postgraduate) (8 points)
  • HCS532 Human Rights and Law for the Human Services (postgraduate) (8 points)
  • SPE502 Social Work and Social Policy Practice (8 points)
  • SWK423 Ethics and Social Work Practice (8 points)
  • SWK504 Human Services Research Methods (8 points)
  • WEL429 Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers (8 points)
Compulsory Fieldwork placement subject

Core

32 credit points

With Course Director's approval, HCS526 may be replaced by HCS524 Social Work Field Education 2 (Session 30) (16).
  • HCS525 Social Work Field Education 1 (16 points)
  • Alternative: HCS526 Social Work Field Education 2 (16 points)
  • Alternative: HCS524 Social Work Field Education 2A (16 points)
Restricted electives

Elective

8 credit points

Select one (1) subject from the following or an elective subject outside of this list may be selected following consultation and approval from the Course Director.
  • ETH402 Vulnerability and the Ethics of Intervention (8 points)
  • GER402 Health, Wellbeing and Family Care in Later Life (8 points)
  • GER404 Ageing and Professional Practice (8 points)
  • GER406 Issues in Dementia Care and Communication (8 points)
  • GER501 Contemporary Issues in Gerontology (8 points)
  • HCS410 Legal Issues in Child and Adolescent Welfare (8 points)
  • HCS406 Social Work and Human Rights (8 points)
  • HCS510 Social Work Practice in Mental Health (8 points)
  • HCS513 Understanding Children from Adversity (8 points)
  • HCS523 Leadership in Human Services Practice (8 points)
  • HIP423 Transition to Allied Health Practice (8 points)
  • HRM502 Human Resource Management (8 points)
  • LAW517 Mediation: Processes and Uses (8 points)
  • MGT501 Contemporary Management (8 points)
  • PHL502 Law, Ethics and Human Rights (8 points)
  • SWK414 International Social Development (8 points)
  • WEL407 Working alongside children and young people in Indigenous Australian communities (8 points)
  • WEL409 Grief, Loss and Change (8 points)
  • WEL424 Loss, Grief and Palliative Care for Older People (8 points)
  • WEL425 Addiction - clinical practice in human services (8 points)
  • WEL426 Disaster Recovery: A Human Services Perspective (8 points)
  • WEL427 Transformative ecosocial change in human services (8 points)
  • WEL428 Building Sustainable Communities (8 points)
  • WEL523 Contemporary Theories for Case Management (8 points)

Costs

Indicative fees for international students commencing in 2026.

International on campusFee paying overseas:Full-time$34,496 per yearPart-time$17,248 per year

Fees are indicative and subject to change. Check the source for additional costs, fee conditions and available support.

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

To be eligible, applicants must have a completed AQF Level 7 bachelor degree. 

Applicants must also have one year of study in the social and behavioural sciences, either within their AQF degree or through other university studies.

Where an applicant already holds an AQF Level 7 bachelor degree, but needs to meet the prerequisite content, it can be completed it through:

  • single subject study 
    And/or
  • the Graduate Certificate in Human Services (for those who are assessed as having already completed six months/four subjects of relevant content;)
    And /or
  • as part of another qualification at undergraduate or postgraduate level

Please note: The Graduate Certificate and single subjects can only be used to meet prerequisite content. They cannot replace the required AQF Level 7 bachelor degree.

Language requirements

International students who have not completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to an AQF Level 9 degree course in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic IELTS test upon application.

Source data checked 4 November 2026, 12:12 am. Showing international · 2026.

Contact us

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