Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
Course code S10
Switch your career without the financial stress
ECU's Master of Social Work (Qualifying) offers a limited number of Commonwealth Government supported places, providing reduced fees for eligible students. Deferred payments are also available for all domestic students through the HELP program.
Start your application to check your eligibility.
Why study at ECU?
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A great student experience
As an ECU postgraduate, you can expect the best overall student experience of any public universities in Western Australia. More about QILT.
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Our postgraduate students have rated us 5 stars for their overall experience in the latest Good Universities Guide. More 5-star ratings included: skills development, student support and teaching quality.
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One of the world's young guns
We're ranked one of the world's best universities under 50 years old, and we've already established a global reputation for such a young institution.
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About this Course
Social workers champion social justice, equality and human rights. They stand alongside individuals and communities to improve society’s overall well-being, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
In this course, taught by highly qualified staff with practice experience, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to pursue a career as a professional social work practitioner, able to work in Australia and overseas. It includes 1000 hours of supervised fieldwork placements to hone your craft.
Are you ready to stand for something?
Course code S10
Entry requirements
ECU admission and English language requirements apply.
See Course Entry for further information.
Admissions
Fees
Domestic fee paying - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $25,200
See Fees and Scholarships for further information.
Availability & Campus
| Location | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Joondalup | FT PT | |
| Mount Lawley | ||
| South West | ||
| Online | FT PT |
Timetable
This course has a modified timetable. See Course Notes.
About this Course
Social workers champion social justice, equality and human rights. They stand alongside individuals and communities to improve society’s overall well-being, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
In this course, taught by highly qualified staff with practice experience, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to pursue a career as a professional social work practitioner, able to work in Australia and overseas. It includes 1000 hours of supervised fieldwork placements to hone your craft.
Are you ready to stand for something?
Course code S10
CRICOS code 116686A
Entry requirements
ECU admission and English language requirements apply.
See Course Entry for further information.
Fees
International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $39,000
See Fees and Scholarships for further information.
Availability & Campus
| Location | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Joondalup | FT | |
| Mount Lawley | ||
| South West | ||
| Online | FT PT |
Timetable
This course has a modified timetable. See Course Notes.
Course Entry
Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.
-
The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.
All applicants are required to hold a relevant three-year degree in a related field (other than social work)* which includes at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society) or equivalent.
* This includes programs in human services, social sciences, behavioural sciences, counselling and psychological sciences.
Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.
Requirements from 01-JUL-2025:<p> All applicants are required to hold a three-year Bachelor degree in a related field (other than social work) which includes at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society) or equivalent, such as community and human services, sociology, behavioural sciences, counselling and psychological sciences. <p> Alternatively, applicants with a three-year Bachelor degree in any field, who have also completed one-year of additional studies in social sciences in a Postgraduate Qualifying Program or as part of a AQF postgraduate course, may meet the entry requirements for the course.<p>
-
In accordance with the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), international applicants for this accredited course are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0). Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement. Alternative acceptable tests are as follows:
- IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
- Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
- TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
• 24 for listening
• 24 for reading,
• 27 for writing, and
• 23 for speaking
Note: English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.
ECU's minimum English standard requirements for this course may be satisfied with one of the following:
- Bachelor degree from an approved country.
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian education provider (or equivalent); or
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.
Course Entry
Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.
-
The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.
All applicants are required to hold a relevant three-year degree in a related field (other than social work)* which includes at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society) or equivalent.
* This includes programs in human services, social sciences, behavioural sciences, counselling and psychological sciences.
Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.
Requirements from 01-JUL-2025:<p> All applicants are required to hold a three-year Bachelor degree in a related field (other than social work) which includes at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (studies of the individual and society) or equivalent, such as community and human services, sociology, behavioural sciences, counselling and psychological sciences. <p> Alternatively, applicants with a three-year Bachelor degree in any field, who have also completed one-year of additional studies in social sciences in a Postgraduate Qualifying Program or as part of a AQF postgraduate course, may meet the entry requirements for the course.<p>
-
In accordance with the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), international applicants for this accredited course are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0). Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement. Alternative acceptable tests are as follows:
- IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
- Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
- TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
• 24 for listening
• 24 for reading,
• 27 for writing, and
• 23 for speaking
Note: English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.
ECU's minimum English standard requirements for this course may be satisfied with one of the following:
- Bachelor degree from an approved country.
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian education provider (or equivalent); or
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.
Course Details
Semester availability
Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 2: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online
Course Structure
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| SWK6400 | Building Effective Relationships Alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples | 20 |
| SWK6405 | Social Work Foundations and Fields of Practice | 20 |
| SWK6410 | Social Work Theory and Ethics | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| SWK6440 | Social Work Placement 1 | 40 |
| SWK6415 | Social Work and Participatory Practice for Structural Change | 20 |
S10|5
For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.
Student handbookCourse notes
Important course notes
-
All students, including those to elect to study online, are required to complete a minimum of 140 hours (20 days) of face-to-face classroom-based learning, the focus of which is professional practice skills. This is a requirement set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for accredited programs. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible for membership to AASW.
-
In each year of the program, students undertake compulsory professional practice comprising 500 hours over 13 weeks (totalling 1000 hours for the entire degree). The field education units are SWK6440 and SWK6450.
Attendance requirements
Attendance of two blocks of work based learning. These occur in second semester year one and year two.
1000 unpaid hours in total.
Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required
Relevant up-to-date police clearance, Working with children's check and any other relevant clearance as determined by the placement organisation such as vaccinations.
Professional practice rules
Students are required to uphold the current AASW Code of Ethics and AASW Professional Practice Rules.
Course learning outcomes
- Critical systemic reflection on a complex body of social work discourse, knowledge, theory and values, including research methods, and Aboriginal cultural context, to demonstrate competency of social work practice knowledge.
- Apply cognitive, practice, reflective and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories related to social work practice.
- Apply communication and collaboration skills to create effective change in social work domains of practice and contribute to professional practice, scholarship and society.
- Critically reflect and understand the use of self in social work practice, including the use of high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and implement a substantial aspect of social work practice in workplace contexts.
Professional Recognition
CourseProvisionally Accredited by: Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Course Details
Semester availability
Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 2: Study part-time Online
Course Structure
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| SWK6400 | Building Effective Relationships Alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples | 20 |
| SWK6405 | Social Work Foundations and Fields of Practice | 20 |
| SWK6410 | Social Work Theory and Ethics | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| SWK6440 | Social Work Placement 1 | 40 |
| SWK6415 | Social Work and Participatory Practice for Structural Change | 20 |
S10|5
For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.
Student handbookCourse notes
Important course notes
-
All students, including those to elect to study online, are required to complete a minimum of 140 hours (20 days) of face-to-face classroom-based learning, the focus of which is professional practice skills. This is a requirement set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for accredited programs. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible for membership to AASW.
-
In each year of the program, students undertake compulsory professional practice comprising 500 hours over 13 weeks (totalling 1000 hours for the entire degree). The field education units are SWK6440 and SWK6450.
Attendance requirements
Attendance of two blocks of work based learning. These occur in second semester year one and year two.
1000 unpaid hours in total.
Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required
Relevant up-to-date police clearance, Working with children's check and any other relevant clearance as determined by the placement organisation such as vaccinations.
Professional practice rules
Students are required to uphold the current AASW Code of Ethics and AASW Professional Practice Rules.
Course learning outcomes
- Critical systemic reflection on a complex body of social work discourse, knowledge, theory and values, including research methods, and Aboriginal cultural context, to demonstrate competency of social work practice knowledge.
- Apply cognitive, practice, reflective and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories related to social work practice.
- Apply communication and collaboration skills to create effective change in social work domains of practice and contribute to professional practice, scholarship and society.
- Critically reflect and understand the use of self in social work practice, including the use of high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and implement a substantial aspect of social work practice in workplace contexts.
Professional Recognition
CourseProvisionally Accredited by: Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Fees and Scholarships
Fees
- AUD $25,200 - Domestic fee paying estimated 1st year indicative fee 1
Note
1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.
Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.
Scholarships
ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.
Find a scholarshipCareer Opportunities
Social work is a part of a growing sector with graduates working across local, state, and federal government departments, in private and non-government human service organisations and in various advocacy, activism, policy making and tribunal capacities. Opportunities range from direct practice, education, community and policy development, and research.
Possible future job titles
Case Manager, Child and Youth Worker, Community Engagement Officer, Education and Career Support Consultant, Human Rights Advocate, Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, Migrant and Refugee Settlement Officer, Policy Adviser, Public Servant, Public Health Consultant
Fees and Scholarships
Fees
- AUD $39,000 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1
Note
1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.
Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.
Scholarships
ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.
Find a scholarshipCareer Opportunities
Social work is a part of a growing sector with graduates working across local, state, and federal government departments, in private and non-government human service organisations and in various advocacy, activism, policy making and tribunal capacities. Opportunities range from direct practice, education, community and policy development, and research.
Possible future job titles
Case Manager, Child and Youth Worker, Community Engagement Officer, Education and Career Support Consultant, Human Rights Advocate, Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, Migrant and Refugee Settlement Officer, Policy Adviser, Public Servant, Public Health Consultant
Need some help deciding what to study?
Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.
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Creative thinkers start here
Quick guide to uni-speak
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The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.
-
ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.
-
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.
-
A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.
-
Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.
-
If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.
-
-
-
If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.
Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.
-
Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.
-
A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.
-
We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.
-
These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.
-
An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.
-
Quick guide to uni-speak
-
-
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.
-
ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.
-
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.
-
A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.
-
Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.
-
If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.
-
-
-
If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.
Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.
-
Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.
-
A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.
-
We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.
-
These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.
-
An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.
-
Do you have any questions about the Master of Social Work (Qualifying)?
The Important Things
Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.
Course Entry
There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.
Fees & Scholarships
Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.
Applying
Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.
ECU Experience
Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.