Program Description

The Bachelor of Social Work provides graduates with the theoretical and practical skills required to work as a professional social worker, an occupation that the Australian government predicts will continue to experience very strong growth. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. UNE social work graduates typically work with disadvantaged and marginalized individuals, groups, and communities using a social justice and trauma-informed framework in counselling, advocacy, and community development to enhance people's health and well-being. Social workers address barriers, inequality and injustices faced by many groups, particularly those who are socially excluded. UNE's social work program embraces a framework that examines the dynamic interaction of human behaviour and complex social interactions and institutions. Covering all the core requirements of an accredited professional social work degree, the Bachelor of Social Work at UNE emphasizes practice in rural and complex community environments, and focuses on rights-based practice, mental health, Indigenous peoples, child protection and the law. The course incorporates 1000 hours of professional fieldwork placement supervised by experienced practitioners in diverse social work settings locally and overseas. Students can suit their own learning needs and choose to study either on campus or online, with periodic compulsory intensive face-to-face classes for students who learn by distance.

Social work is an occupation that the Australian government predicts will continue to experience very strong growth. It has many fields of practice, providing a diverse and rewarding career path with multiple opportunities to make a real difference in people's lives. UNE's BSW offers graduates career opportunities found in: hospitals; government agencies (such as justice, housing and youth and child protection services); community-based family support and welfare agencies; women's refuges and community legal centres; city councils; mental health, disability and aged care facilities, schools and for-profit human services (e.g. private practice counselling, employment services), to name just a few. Australian social work qualifications are portable and Australian graduates are highly regarded internationally.