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
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit 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 Points | 40 | |
| 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 Points | 40 | |
| 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 Points | 40 | |
| 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 Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| WELF 3020 | Field Education 1 | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| CULT 3001 | Applied Social Research | 10 |
| WELF 3006 | Family Violence: Policy and Practice | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| 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 Points | 40 | |
| 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 Points | 40 | |
| 2H session | ||
| WELF 4005 | Field Education 2 | 30 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Spring session | ||
| WELF 4001 | Contemporary Social Work Practice | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Total Credit Points | 320 | |
Part-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| BEHV 1021 | The Individual in Society | 10 |
| CULT 1017 | Understanding Society | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| HUMN 1060 | Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies | 10 |
| WELF 1003 | Human Services Intervention Strategies | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| BEHV 2008 | Mental Health in the Community | 10 |
| WELF 2002 | Community Work & Development | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| WELF 1002 | Context of Human Services | 10 |
| CULT 1022 | Working with Cultural Differences | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 2066 | Investigating and Communicating Social Problems | 10 |
| WELF 2010 | Lifespan Development and the Human Services | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CULT 2005 | Ethics in the Social Sciences | 10 |
| WELF 2008 | Human Rights, Human Services and the Law | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| WELF 2017 | Working with Individuals and Families | 10 |
| WELF 2006 | Fields of Practice 1 | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| HUMN 2015 | Community and Social Action | 10 |
| WELF 2007 | Group Work in Social Work | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CULT 3001 | Applied Social Research | 10 |
| WELF 3006 | Family Violence: Policy and Practice | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| WELF 3014 | Social Work and Social Policy | 10 |
| WELF 2001 | Community Management and Organisations | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 6 | ||
| 1H session | ||
| WELF 3020 | Field Education 1 | 20 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| WELF 3001 | Child Abuse as a Social Issue | 10 |
| Select one elective subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 7 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| WELF 4007 | Practice skills for social work | 10 |
| WELF 4008 | Professional Decision Making in Social Work | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Spring session | ||
| WELF 4001 | Contemporary Social Work Practice | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Year 8 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| WELF 4006 | Ideologies of Practice in Social Work | 10 |
| WELF 3013 | Social Work and Health | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| 2H session | ||
| WELF 4005 | Field Education 2 | 30 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Total Credit Points | 320 | |
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