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:
- University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- Griffith University
- University of New South Wales
- Curtin University
- Edith Cowan University
- University of Sydney
- James Crook University
- RMIT University
- Western Sydney University
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.
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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:
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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 |
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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 |
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Deakin Student Support Scholarship |
Up to AUD 10,000 per year |
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Griffith University |
Griffith Remarkable Scholarship |
25% waiver in the tuition fees |
International Student Excellence Scholarship – Postgraduate Coursework |
25% waiver in the tuition fees |
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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 |