Bachelor of Social Work (1666)

  • Approved Abbreviation: BSW
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 1666
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 013975D

This program applies to students who commenced in 2015 or later.

Commencement Year 2014 - 1666.3 Bachelor of Social Work

Commencement Year 2011 - 2013 - 1666.2 Bachelor of Social Work

Commencement Year 2010 - 1666.1 Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work is a four-year degree that is fully accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers. Western Sydney University social work graduates are prepared for work in a wide range of human services organisations across diverse practice areas, including case work, group work, community development, policy and research. Students undertake traditional academic units as well as completing assessed placements comprising 1000 hours.

The Bachelor of Community Welfare (exit) degree is based on the Liverpool and Parramatta campuses and includes 400 hours of on-site supervised practice. It is available as an exit from the 4 year Bachelor of Social Work degree after completion of three years of study. The degree equips graduates to work in a range of human service professions with a particular emphasis on community development and social action. It is informed by a critical perspective and taught by a vibrant staff, many of whom are also practitioners, and all of whom are committed to ensuring the best possible community welfare education for our students.

The Associate Degree in Social Science (exit) is an early exit point from the Bachelor of Social Work. As detailed below, qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points of Social Work subjects.

The Diploma in Social Science Studies (exit) is an early exit point from the Bachelor of Social Work. As detailed below, qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points of Social Work subjects.

Early Exits

Students may exit this program on completion of 160 credit points with a 1918 Associate Degree in Social Science (exit only) or on completion of 80 credit points with a 1919 Diploma in Social Science Studies (exit only) or on completion of 240 credit points of Social Work subjects including one field placement subject with a 1665 Bachelor Community Welfare.

Study Mode

Four years full-time or eight years part-time.

Program Advice

Dr Maggie Hall

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Liverpool Campus Full Time Internal Dr Benjamin Joseph
Liverpool Campus Part Time Internal Dr Benjamin Joseph
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Full Time Internal Rosemary Qummouh
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal Rosemary Qummouh

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and graduates are eligible for membership of the AASW.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent requirements

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Admission 2024 and prior

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Alternate Entry Pathways: 

  • Students can apply via the HSC True Reward Program: 

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward

  • Students can apply via WSU’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Program overseen by the Office of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement)

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward

Admission from 2025

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International students who have not completed a Year 12 or equivalent secondary school level qualification or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to AQF Level 7 degree courses in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or equivalent.

International applicants must apply directly to The University via the International Office. International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Alternate Entry Pathways:

  • Students can apply via the HSC True Reward Program:

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
CULT 1017 Understanding Society 10
BEHV 1021 The Individual in Society 10
BEHV 2008 Mental Health in the Community 10
WELF 2002 Community Work & Development 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 1060 Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies 10
WELF 1003 Human Services Intervention Strategies 10
CULT 1022 Working with Cultural Differences 10
WELF 1002 Context of Human Services 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
HUMN 2066 Investigating and Communicating Social Problems 10
WELF 2010 Lifespan Development and the Human Services 10
WELF 2017 Working with Individuals and Families 10
WELF 2006 Fields of Practice 1 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CULT 2005 Ethics in the Social Sciences 10
WELF 2008 Human Rights, Human Services and the Law 10
WELF 2007 Group Work in Social Work 10
HUMN 2015 Community and Social Action 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
WELF 3020 Field Education 1 20
 Credit Points20
Autumn session
CULT 3001 Applied Social Research 10
WELF 3006 Family Violence: Policy and Practice 10
 Credit Points20
Spring session
WELF 3014 Social Work and Social Policy 10
WELF 2001 Community Management and Organisations 10
WELF 3001 Child Abuse as a Social Issue 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
WELF 4007 Practice skills for social work 10
WELF 4008 Professional Decision Making in Social Work 10
WELF 4006 Ideologies of Practice in Social Work 10
WELF 3013 Social Work and Health 10
 Credit Points40
2H session
WELF 4005 Field Education 2 30
 Credit Points30
Spring session
WELF 4001 Contemporary Social Work Practice 10
 Credit Points10
 Total Credit Points320

Part-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
BEHV 1021 The Individual in Society 10
CULT 1017 Understanding Society 10
 Credit Points20
Spring session
HUMN 1060 Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies 10
WELF 1003 Human Services Intervention Strategies 10
 Credit Points20
Year 2
Autumn session
BEHV 2008 Mental Health in the Community 10
WELF 2002 Community Work & Development 10
 Credit Points20
Spring session
WELF 1002 Context of Human Services 10
CULT 1022 Working with Cultural Differences 10
 Credit Points20
Year 3
Autumn session
HUMN 2066 Investigating and Communicating Social Problems 10
WELF 2010 Lifespan Development and the Human Services 10
 Credit Points20
Spring session
CULT 2005 Ethics in the Social Sciences 10
WELF 2008 Human Rights, Human Services and the Law 10
 Credit Points20
Year 4
Autumn session
WELF 2017 Working with Individuals and Families 10
WELF 2006 Fields of Practice 1 10
 Credit Points20
Spring session
HUMN 2015 Community and Social Action 10
WELF 2007 Group Work in Social Work 10
 Credit Points20
Year 5
Autumn session
CULT 3001 Applied Social Research 10
WELF 3006 Family Violence: Policy and Practice 10
 Credit Points20
Spring session
WELF 3014 Social Work and Social Policy 10
WELF 2001 Community Management and Organisations 10
 Credit Points20
Year 6
1H session
WELF 3020 Field Education 1 20
 Credit Points20
Spring session
WELF 3001 Child Abuse as a Social Issue 10
Select one elective subject 10
 Credit Points20
Year 7
Autumn session
WELF 4007 Practice skills for social work 10
WELF 4008 Professional Decision Making in Social Work 10
 Credit Points20
Spring session
WELF 4001 Contemporary Social Work Practice 10
 Credit Points10
Year 8
Autumn session
WELF 4006 Ideologies of Practice in Social Work 10
WELF 3013 Social Work and Health 10
 Credit Points20
2H session
WELF 4005 Field Education 2 30
 Credit Points30
 Total Credit Points320

Equivalent Core Subjects

The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier.

HUMN 1041 People, Place and Social Difference, replaced by HUMN 1060 Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies

The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2020 or earlier.

HUMN 2049 Social Research Methods, replaced by HUMN 2066 Investigating and Communicating Social Problems