A Social Work degree concentrates on refugee rights, women empowerment, child protection, substance abuse and rehabilitation, mental health support, aged care, social policies etc.
Many Top Social Work Universities in Australia offer bachelor, master's and doctoral degrees in social sciences. Social work is one of the leading PR courses in Australia since it falls under the medium and long-term strategic skill list.
Bachelor's in Social Work course duration is 3-4 years, MSW is 2 years and Doctorate in Social Work is 3-4 years.
With the help of a comprehensive, practical and up-to-date curriculum, Australian Universities aim to produce professionals who can take social work roles successfully in NGOs, hospitals, and other human care settings.
Top Universities in Australia for Social Work
According to QS World Rank, these are Australia's best social science universities in 2023.
|
World Rank |
University |
City |
|
=25 |
University of Melbourne |
Melbourne |
|
36 |
Australian National University |
Canberra |
|
=62 |
The University of Queensland |
Brisbane |
|
=45 |
University of Sydney |
Sydney |
|
49 |
Monash University |
Melbourne |
|
=37 |
UNSW Sydney |
Sydney |
|
151-175 |
University of Canberra |
Canberra |
|
=256 |
Curtin University |
Perth |
| =258 |
Griffith University |
Brisbane |
|
=234 |
Macquarie University |
Sydney |
|
=152 |
University of Western Australia |
Perth |
|
176-200 |
Charles Darwin University |
Casuarina |
|
=209 |
Deakin University |
Geelong |
|
201-250 |
James Cook University |
Townsville |
|
201-250 |
Murdoch University |
Murdoch |
|
=216 |
RMIT University |
Melbourne |
| =182 |
University of Technology Sydney |
Sydney |
|
201-250 |
Western Sydney University |
Sydney |
| =173 |
University of Adelaide |
Adelaide |
|
Talk to an ExpertTop Social Work Universities in Australia: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Bachelor of Social Work in Australia is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the professional body representing social workers in Australia.
Bachelor of Social Work Courses
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
Eligibility Criteria
Document Checklist
- The academic document includes transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of +2 and class 10.
- Valid English Language Scores
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of funds (Financial documents from sponsor letter to tuition fee payment receipt to property papers )
Academic Requirements
International Students must complete high school with a minimum of 55% and maths and English as the major papers. Applicants who have completed a diploma in social work can also apply.
English test scores
If you are an international student from an English-non-speaking country, English test scores are mandatory requirements for study in Australia.
To study this course in Australia, applicants must bring one of the following cut-off scores in English tests.
- IELTS: 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 92, with a minimum subscore of 23
- PTE: 68, with a minimum subscore of 68
Top Social Work Universities in Australia: BSW Tuition Fees
|
University |
Annual Tuition Fees |
|
Deakin University |
32,600 |
|
University of South Australia |
28,000 |
|
Edith Cowan University |
33,000 |
|
Queensland University of Technology |
31,600 |
|
Western Sydney University |
26,240 |
|
Australian Catholic University |
25,064 |
|
University of New Castle |
33,545 |
|
James Crook University |
30,640 |
|
University of Tasmania |
31,950 |
|
University of Queensland |
33,056 |
|
La Trobe University |
38,000 |
|
University of Wollongong |
26,592 |
Bachelor of Social Work in Australia
Top Social Work Universities in Australia: Master of Social Work (MSW)
Master of Social Work Courses
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
Eligibility Criteria
Document Checklist
- Academic documents of all the schools and colleges attended before (Bachelor, High school and class 10). The academic documents need to meet the requirements listed below. The academic document includes transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates.
- English Language Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- Letter of Recommendation if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of funds (Financial documents from sponsor letter to tuition fee payment receipt to property papers )
Academic Requirements
Generally, the minimum requirement to study MSW in Australia is 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) from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent atleast 55% to 65%.
Additionally, applicants with a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of study in social sciences are also eligible to apply for an MSW Qualifying degree.
English test scores
To study this course, international students from English, not speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: 6.5- 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0-7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 85- 100, with a minimum subscore of 23
- PTE: 58-68, with a minimum subscore of 58- 65
Top Social Work Universities in Australia: MSW Tuition Fees
|
University |
Annual tuition fees |
|
44,680 |
|
|
30,300 |
|
|
46,000 |
|
|
29,344 |
|
|
29,500 |
|
|
32,200 |
|
|
33,950 |
|
|
33,600 |
|
|
James Crook University |
30,960 |
|
University of Wollongong |
31,132 |
|
Flinders University |
34,500 |
|
Queensland University of Technology |
31,100 |
|
Top Social Work Universities in Australia: PhD in Social Work
PhD in Social Work Courses
- Professional Doctorate in Social Work
- PhD in Social Work
- Doctor of Philosophy Integrated (Health and Society)
- Social Work and Social Policy Doctorate by Research
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)- Arts and Social Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)- Education and Social Work
Eligibility Criteria
Document Checklist
- Academic documents such as transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of the master, bachelor, and intermediate levels
- English Langauge Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- Letter of Recommendation if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of funds (Financial documents from sponsor letter to tuition fee payment receipt to property papers )
Academic Requirements
- Applicants need a bachelor's degree in social work with a research component.
- Applicants need to complete a thesis-based master's degree or a course-based master's degree with a research component or equivalent and also complete a thesis. The minimum percentage requirement for most universities is 65%.
- Candidates must find and finalise the supervisor for some doctors in the Social Work program (like the University of New Castle).
- For some top Australian universities for PhD in Social Work, a minimum of 2 years post-qualifying professional social work practice experience.
English test scores
International students from English, not speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: IELTS Academic of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 79, with a minimum subscore of 19 in each band
- PTE: 58, with a minimum subscore of 58
Top Social Work Universities in Australia: PhD Tuition Fees
|
University |
Annual tuition fees |
|
University of New South Wales |
20,000-30,000 |
|
Universty of New Castle |
Not available |
|
University of Wollongong |
Not available |
|
University of Western Australia |
25,350 |
|
Curtin University |
28,125 |
Top Social Work Universities in Australia: Scholarships
|
University |
Scholarship |
|
RMIT University |
Australia Awards Scholarships |
|
RMIT Funded Scholarships |
|
|
External Scholarships |
|
|
University of Melbourne |
Richard Lovell Travelling Scholarship |
|
Hannah Barry Memorial Award |
|
|
Graduate Research Scholarship: Up to 100% tuition fee waiver |
|
|
Gowrie Scholarship |
|
|
Melbourne Welcome Grant |
|
|
Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship |
|
|
University of Technology, Sydney |
UTS Grant for Masters by Coursework Students: AUD 3,000 towards your first session tuition fees |
|
UTS Postgraduate Academic Excellence International Scholarship: 25 to 35% waiver on tuition fees |
|
|
Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship: Full tuition scholarship for the standard course duration. |
|
|
UTS Onshore Postgraduate International Scholarship: 25% tuition fee scholarship for the standard course duration. |
|
|
University of Sydney |
Australia Awards Scholarships |
|
The Women’s College Scholarships |
|
|
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships Scheme: Up to AUD 40,000 |
Top Social Work Universities in Australia: Scope and Career Opportunities
With a social work degree, you can work in local, state and federal government departments in private and non-government human service organizations, policy-making companies, and social care organizations.
Below are some of the employment areas and career pathways for Social Work are:
|
Social Work Employment areas examples |
Social Work job titles |
Policy development and research
|
|
The Average Social Workers salary in Australia is:
|
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 |
