Master of Social Work in Australia

Master of Social Work in Australia

Master of Social Work in Australia

Ashma Shrestha

Master of Social Work in Australia focuses on youth, child welfare, family, psychiatric and mental health services, Health, Psychiatric disability, Group work, Aged care, Child and family, Social policy or mental health. 

As a result, after completing MSW, social work graduates can find work revolving around human rights, mental health support, substance abuse and rehabilitation, women empowerment, financial support to low-income families, refugee rights and aid, etc. This degree is 1-3 years long and needs prior knowledge of social work and social science as academic requirements.

Since Social work features in the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), MSW is also a pathway to achieving permanent residency in Australia. 

Why study Master of Social Work in Australia? 

  • The fees in some of the universities in Australia for MSW fall in the affordable range for international students. 
  • MSW falls under the Medium and long-term strategic skill list, which helps obtain a Permanent Residency in Australia. 
  • There is a vast scope of MSW in Australia, and social workers can earn an average of AUD 70,000 annually. 
  • Social workers can work in various healthcare settings like NGOs, hospitals, and psychiatric clinics. 

Best University of Social Work in Australia (Master’s level)

Worldwide, more than 40 of the top universities offers social work program at the bachelor's and master's level. Some of the best universities to study MSW in Australia are: 

Entry Requirements for Master of Social Work in Australia

First, you must meet the university's eligibility criteria for MSW in Australia. Only then can you get enrolled on the Master of Social Work course? The eligibility criteria for a Master in Social work in Australia are: 

  • Academic transcripts of all the academic institutions attended.  
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field with a minimum of 55%. 
  • English proficiency scores
  • Experiences if asked
  • Application fees for university
  • Scholarship proof
  • Letter of recommendation if asked
  • Passport

You will need to present these documents while applying for MSW in Australia. 

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.

Master of Social Work in Australia: Academic Requirements

The academic requirements for the MSW program in Australia are listed below. 

University

Prior academic eligibility criteria

University of Sydney

Completion of a bachelor of social work from an Australian institution or a recognized institution deemed equivalent by the Australian Association of Social Workers 


A minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience in a relevant field: social work. 

Griffith University

Applicants need to hold a bachelor's degree in Social work. Suppose the degree is other than social work. In that case, the relevant program must be human services, social sciences, behavioural sciences, counselling and psychological science with atleast 1-year of full-time studies in social sciences. 

University of Melbourne

Applicants need to hold an undergraduate degree with at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences or equivalent.

University of Western Australia

To be considered for admission to this course, an applicant must have the following—

(a) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA.

and

(b) the equivalent of a Faculty Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0.

Deakin University

Bachelor's degree in a related discipline, with two units in the study of human behaviour and two units in the study of society

Human behaviour includes psychology, counselling, therapeutic roles, and clinical and allied health areas. 

Likewise, the Society unit includes social science, anthropology, political science, international relations, community development, economics, health and sustainability, public health, health promotion, geography, criminology and indigenous studies. 

University of South Australia

A completed bachelor's degree or master-level qualification in a related discipline (including, but not limited to, human services, community services, social science, psychology, Australian Indigenous or Aboriginal studies, public or community health. 

Monash University

Students need to hold an Australian bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least 60%average and at least one year of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences.

Or, 

A Masters's program with a 50% average qualifies graduates to register and practice in Allied Health, Education, Medicine or Nursing.

RMIT University

You must have completed an Australian Bachelor's degree or equivalent overseas qualification in a relevant discipline, including at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences.

Curtin University

Students need to hold a relevant bachelor's degree, including at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences- studies of the individual and society-  or equivalent prior learning, including appropriate professional experience. 

Charles Sturt University

Applicants need to hold a bachelor's degree that contains at least one year, or the equivalent, of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences, including content in each of the following areas:

  • Communication for human services/critical thinking;
  • Human development or life span psychology; and
  • Sociology/social theory.

Master of Social Work in Australia: English Language Requirements

Most Australian Universities require an IELTS score of 7.0 with no band less than 7.0 and equivalent scores in other tests like TOEFL and PTE for admission to the Master of Social Work. 

University

IELTS Requirement

TOEFL Score

PTE Score

University of Sydney

Overall IELTS: 6.5

Speaking: 6.0

Reading: 6.0

Writing: 6.0

Listening: 6.0

Overall TOEFL: 6.5

Speaking: 17

Reading: 17

Writing: 19

Listening: 17

A minimum score of 61 with atleast 54 in each communication band. 

Griffith University

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 6.5

Reading: 6.5

Writing: 6.5

Listening:6.5

Overall TOEFL: 92

A minimum of 65, atleast 58, in each communication band. 

University of Melbourne

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 7

Reading: 7

Writing: 7

Listening:7

Overall TOEFL: 94

A minimum score of at atleast for each communication band. 

University of Western Australia

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 7

Reading: 7

Writing: 7

Listening:7

Overall TOEFL: 94

Speaking: 23

Reading: 24

Writing: 27

Listening: 24

A minimum of 65 with atleast 64 in each communication band. 

Deakin University

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 7.0

Reading: 7.0

Writing: 7.0

Listening:7.0

Overall TOEFL: 94

Writing: 27

A minimum of 65 with atleast 65 in each communication band. 

University of South Australia

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 7.0

Reading: 7.0

Writing: 7.0

Listening:7.0

Overall TOEFL: 94

Speaking: 22

Reading: 22

Writing: 22

Listening: 22

A minimum of 65 with atleast 65 in each communication band. 

Monash University

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 7.0

Reading: 7.0

Writing: 7.0

Listening:7.0

Overall TOEFL: 98

Speaking: 23

Reading: 24

Writing: 27

Listening: 24

A minimum of 65 with atleast 65 in each communication band. 

RMIT University

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 7.0

Reading: 7.0

Writing: 7.0

Listening:7.0

Overall TOEFL: 94

Speaking: 23

Reading: 24

Writing: 27

Listening: 24

A minimum of 65 with atleast 65 in each communication band. 

Curtin University

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 7.0

Reading: 7.0

Writing: 7.0

Listening:7.0

Overall TOEFL: 99

Speaking: 23

Reading: 24

Writing: 27

Listening: 24

A minimum of 65 with atleast 65 in each communication band. 

Charles Sturt University

Overall IELTS: 7.0

Speaking: 7.0

Reading: 7.0

Writing: 7.0

Listening:7.0

Overall TOEFL: 94

A minimum of 65 with atleast 65 in each communication band. 

Master of Social Work in Australia: Fees

The tuition fees for the Master in Social Work fall in the range of AUD 23,000 per year to AUD 50,000 per year. Besides tuition fees, living expenses are also a big deal. The living expenses range from AUD 15,000 to  AUD 24,000  and more depending on the location and student’s style of living. 

University

Annual tuition fees in AUD

Course Duration

University of Sydney

44,000

1 Year

Griffith University

29,500

2- 2.5 Years

University of Melbourne

44,680

2 years

University of Western Australia

32,200

2 Years

Deakin University

23,800

2 years

University of South Australia

30,300

2 years

Monash University

34,200

2 years

RMIT University

33,600

2 years

Australian College of Applied Psychology

30,540

2 years

Charles Sturt University

26,800

2 years

 

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.

Master of Social Work Scholarships for international students In Australia

The universities in Australia offer many scholarships for the MSW Program. These international students scholarships in Australia help international students partially or fully with the high academic fees. 

University

Scholarship

Value

University of Deakin

Deakin Scholarship for Excellence

AUD 10,000 per year

Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Scholarship

100% of your tuition fees paid; cash payment of $5000 per year

Deakin Student Support Scholarship

Up to AUD 10,000 per year

Griffith University

Griffith Remarkable Scholarship

25% waiver in the tuition fees

International Student Excellence Scholarship – Postgraduate Coursework

25% waiver in the tuition fees

University of Queensland

UQ Graduate School Scholarships 

AUD 26,682 per year 

University of Wollongong

UOW Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship 

30% waiver in the tuition fees

University of Western Australia

UWA International Fee Scholarships

Up to AUD 30,000

La Trobe University 

La Trobe College Excellence Scholarship (CES)  

15-25% tuition fee waiver

Scope of Master of Social Work in Australia for International Students

Social workers have career opportunities in government, non-government and private sector agencies. In detail, the work opportunities after graduating from a social work school are found in -

Hospital and community health settings, youth work, disability advocacy, legal aid or research, child and family welfare, child protection, social action and program planning, youth and adult offending, employment and income support, counselling, case management, social administration, aged care, community development, family support, disability services, services for women, multicultural services and many other social welfare organisations.

The job profile and average salary after MSW in Australia are as follows: 

Job Profile

Average Annual Salary in AUD

Social Worker

69,428

Mental Health Counselor

65,877

Mental Health Clinician

85,729

Community Service Manager

89,326

Medical Social Worker

63.490

Operations Supervisor

66,320

Regional Service Manager

92,156

Care Co-ordinator

58,511

Disability Care Worker

40,723

Child Family or School Worker

72,280

Related Posts :

Why study Nursing in Australia?
Why study Nursing in Australia?
Nursing programs in Australia are among the most popular and highly recognised qualifications worldwide; now, they offer diplomas, bachelor's and master's programs. The core structure is incorporated

Read More
How to choose a University and Course in Australia?
How to choose a University and Course in Australia?
Once you’ve decided to study in Australia, you’ll probably look out for one or two courses and universities through recommendations from friends or family considering those that align with your long t

Read More