CRICOS code: 114846F

This program applies to students who commenced in 2025 or later.

The Bachelor of Youth Work comprises an innovative program of study, which has been co-designed with key stakeholders. Representatives from Youth Action and the NSW Youth Work Professional Association, youth work managers and practitioners, and a youth reference group, have contributed to a cutting-edge program that integrates relevant core knowledges and skills required for socially just youth work practice. Drawing on interdisciplinary studies of youth and youth work theories, concepts and frameworks, the program provides opportunities to engage with young people and communities under the supervision of experienced youth workers. Skills in reflexivity, professional ethics and cultural competencies are embedded throughout the program, ensuring graduates are equipped to actively advocate for and facilitate the agency of young people.

Early Exits

Students may exit this program on completion of 80 credit points with a 1935 Diploma in Youth and Communities (exit only) or on completion of 160 credit points with an 1934 Associate Degree in Youth Studies (exit only).

Study Mode

Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Program Advice

Dr Amie Matthews

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Liverpool Campus	Full Time	Internal
Liverpool Campus	Part Time	Internal
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Full Time	Internal
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Part Time	Internal
Penrith Campus	Full Time	Internal
Penrith Campus	Part Time	internal

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

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.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points with no less than 60 credit points at Level 3.

Students must complete:

• 180 credit points of core subjects
• 20 credit points of alternate core subjects
• 40 credit points of elective subjects

Elective Minors which may be available

Recommended Sequence

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points with no less than 60 credit points at Level 3.

Full-time Start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
WELF 1014	Introduction to Youth Work: History, Theories & Approaches	10
HUMN 1064	Digital Identities	10
Select two electives		20
	Credit Points	40
2H session
WELF 1015	Practicum1: Foundations in Practice	10
	Credit Points	10
Spring session
HUMN 1060	Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies	10
CULT 1022	Working with Cultural Differences	10
WELF 1002	Context of Human Services	10
	Credit Points	30
Year 2
Autumn session
CULT 2017	Youth Justice and Practice	10
HUMN 2066	Investigating and Communicating Social Problems	10
WELF 2019	Inclusive Youth Work Practice for a Diverse World	10
Select one of the following subjects, noting that subjects may not be on offer annually		10
HUMN 2062	Youth Cultures and Moral Panics
HUMN 2028	Identity and Belonging
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
CULT 2005	Ethics in the Social Sciences	10
WELF 2001	Community Management and Organisations	10
HUMN 2015	Community and Social Action	10
WELF 2008	Human Rights, Human Services and the Law	10
	Credit Points	40
Year 3
Autumn session
CULT 3001	Applied Social Research	10
SPRT 3005	Contemporary Youth Health Issues	10
WELF 3025	Sociology of Youth: Identities, Cultures and Transitions	10
Select one of the following subjects, noting that subjects may not be on offer annually		10
HUMN 3064	Politics, Power and Resistance
HUMN 3066	Power as a Cultural System
	Credit Points	40
2H session
WELF 3026	Practicum 2: The Reflexive Practitioner	20
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
Select two electives		20
	Credit Points	20
	Total Credit Points	240

Part-time Start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
WELF 1014	Introduction to Youth Work: History, Theories & Approaches	10
Select one elective		10
	Credit Points	20
2H session
WELF 1015	Practicum1: Foundations in Practice	10
	Credit Points	10
Spring session
WELF 1002	Context of Human Services	10
	Credit Points	10
Year 2
Autumn session
HUMN 1064	Digital Identities	10
Select one elective		10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
HUMN 1060	Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies	10
CULT 1022	Working with Cultural Differences	10
	Credit Points	20
Year 3
Autumn session
CULT 2017	Youth Justice and Practice	10
WELF 2019	Inclusive Youth Work Practice for a Diverse World	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
HUMN 2066	Investigating and Communicating Social Problems	10
Select one of the following subjects, noting that subjects may not be on offer annually		10
HUMN 2062	Youth Cultures and Moral Panics
HUMN 2028	Identity and Belonging
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
WELF 2001	Community Management and Organisations	10
HUMN 2015	Community and Social Action	10
	Credit Points	20
Year 5
Autumn session
CULT 3001	Applied Social Research	10
SPRT 3005	Contemporary Youth Health Issues	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
Select two electives		20
	Credit Points	20
Year 6
Autumn session
WELF 3025	Sociology of Youth: Identities, Cultures and Transitions	10
Select one of the following subjects, noting that subjects may not be on offer annually		10
HUMN 3064	Politics, Power and Resistance
HUMN 3066	Power as a Cultural System
	Credit Points	20
2H session
WELF 3026	Practicum 2: The Reflexive Practitioner	20
	Credit Points	20
	Total Credit Points	240