Challenge injustice and promote social change

'QUT is one of the few universities in Australia that adopted a critical social work approach. Its focus on analysing power structures, challenging injustice, and promoting social change sets its program apart from other universities. It is preparing me to navigate diverse challenges in an ever-evolving landscape. The best part about my course is the academics. Their dedication to the subject matter goes beyond the curriculum; they actively encourage critical thinking, open dialogue, and a genuine exploration of diverse perspectives.'

Ola Khalil, Sudan
Master of Social Work - Qualifying

Truly rewarding placement experience

'My first practice placement at a local neighbourhood centre was a great opportunity for me to understand Australian culture, apply my learnings and skills within a local community context, and develop an understanding of the social issues and the systems and mechanisms available to support individuals. I developed critical reflection skills and had robust supervision, which were helpful in navigating complexities that arose during my placement. The support available to me during my placement made the experience a truly rewarding experience.'

Tharindi Wickramasurendra, Sri Lanka
Master of Social Work - Qualifying

Become a changemaker

Four of our students from all walks of life share the benefit of the Masters of Social Work degree. This innovative course incorporates campus and online learning, intensive block teaching and supervised integrated field placements.


Extend your knowledge

‘The Master of Social Work allowed me to formalise my affiliation with social work and provided me with the skills and knowledge to extend and specialise my capabilities in this field. In my role at Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, I support clinicians to more actively engage with research. I can greater foster practice-based research that facilitates change and improves mental healthcare services and clinical practice.’

Marianne Wyder

Master of Social Work

Our Master of Social Work provides an internationally recognised qualification. This innovative course incorporates campus and online learning, intensive block teaching and supervised work-integrated field placements. Students work alongside academics to develop a personal learning plan which fits with other commitments and meets the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers.


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Become a changemaker

Four of our students from all walks of life share the benefit of the Masters of Social Work degree. This innovative course incorporates campus and online learning, intensive block teaching and supervised integrated field placements.


Extend your knowledge

‘The Master of Social Work allowed me to formalise my affiliation with social work and provided me with the skills and knowledge to extend and specialise my capabilities in this field. In my role at Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, I support clinicians to more actively engage with research. I can greater foster practice-based research that facilitates change and improves mental healthcare services and clinical practice.’

Marianne Wyder

Real student

'Working with the professionals who deliver the lectures and intense workshops is a real eye-opener. They have so much experience and are happy to share their expertise and their understanding of the professional with us.'

Helen Delaney

Master of Social Work

Our Master of Social Work provides an internationally recognised qualification. This innovative course incorporates campus and online learning, intensive block teaching and supervised work-integrated field placements. Students work alongside academics to develop a personal learning plan which fits with other commitments and meets the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers.


Challenge injustice and promote social change

'QUT is one of the few universities in Australia that adopted a critical social work approach. Its focus on analysing power structures, challenging injustice, and promoting social change sets its program apart from other universities. It is preparing me to navigate diverse challenges in an ever-evolving landscape. The best part about my course is the academics. Their dedication to the subject matter goes beyond the curriculum; they actively encourage critical thinking, open dialogue, and a genuine exploration of diverse perspectives.'

Ola Khalil, Sudan
Master of Social Work - Qualifying

Truly rewarding placement experience

'My first practice placement at a local neighbourhood centre was a great opportunity for me to understand Australian culture, apply my learnings and skills within a local community context, and develop an understanding of the social issues and the systems and mechanisms available to support individuals. I developed critical reflection skills and had robust supervision, which were helpful in navigating complexities that arose during my placement. The support available to me during my placement made the experience a truly rewarding experience.'

Tharindi Wickramasurendra, Sri Lanka
Master of Social Work - Qualifying

Become a changemaker

Four of our students from all walks of life share the benefit of the Masters of Social Work degree. This innovative course incorporates campus and online learning, intensive block teaching and supervised integrated field placements.


Extend your knowledge

‘The Master of Social Work allowed me to formalise my affiliation with social work and provided me with the skills and knowledge to extend and specialise my capabilities in this field. In my role at Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, I support clinicians to more actively engage with research. I can greater foster practice-based research that facilitates change and improves mental healthcare services and clinical practice.’

Marianne Wyder

Master of Social Work

Our Master of Social Work provides an internationally recognised qualification. This innovative course incorporates campus and online learning, intensive block teaching and supervised work-integrated field placements. Students work alongside academics to develop a personal learning plan which fits with other commitments and meets the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Highlights

  • Develop expertise in casework, assessment and intervention, practice frameworks, policy, and ethical and legal contexts of practice.
  • Complete in 2 years full time or 4 years part time.
  • Graduate eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
  • Gain experience in extensive field placements supervised by a professional social worker.

Highlights

  • Develop expertise in casework, assessment and intervention, practice frameworks, policy, and ethical and legal contexts of practice.
  • Graduate eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
  • Complete 1000 hours of field placements while being supervised by a professional social worker to gain experience and valuable networks.

Explore this course

What to expect

The Master of Social Work provides graduates with an internationally recognised qualification in social work and is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

During the course students will develop knowledge and expertise in:

  • casework and case management practice
  • assessment and intervention
  • political economy and policy making
  • ethical and legal contexts of practice
  • theoretical and practice framework that incorporate child wellbeing and mental health contexts

Students also complete 1,000 hours of supervised field placements.

Students are required to attend compulsory on-campus sessions each semester. This includes a requirement to attend sessions during Orientation Week. All commencing students will need to ensure they are available to attend.

The Master of Social Work provides graduates with an internationally recognised qualification in social work and is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

During the course students will develop knowledge and expertise in:

  • casework and case management practice
  • assessment and intervention
  • political economy and policy making
  • ethical and legal contexts of practice
  • theoretical and practice framework that incorporate child wellbeing and mental health contexts

Students also complete 1,000 hours of supervised field placements.

Students are required to attend compulsory on-campus sessions each semester. This includes a requirement to attend sessions during Orientation Week. All commencing students will need to ensure they are available to attend.

Course requirements

There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. You will need to identify these requirements and ensure you allow sufficient time to meet them. Some of these requirements have associated costs.

Find out more about additional course requirements and costs.

Work Integrated Learning

During this course, you will be required to complete 1000 hours of professional work experience.

Blue card

You will need a valid blue card to complete practical placements in this course.

 

Careers and outcomes

Careers and outcomes

This course is designed for graduates from other disciplines seeking a qualification in social work. It is not suitable for qualified social workers seeking additional postgraduate study.

This innovative course is designed to deliver graduates who can work in a variety of government, non-government, and not-for-profit sectors, either in direct support or outreach services, community development or policy and social advocacy positions.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Details and units

The Master of Social Work - Qualifying consists of 12 units and can be studied full time (two years) or part time (four years).

The course includes a minimum 1,000 hours of field placements supervised by a professional social worker. These placements are undertaken over two professional practice units, each worth 36 credit points (SWN021 and SWN022).

The Master of Social Work - Qualifying consists of 12 units and can be studied full time (two years) or part time (four years).

The course includes a minimum 1,000 hours of field placements supervised by a professional social worker. These placements are undertaken over two professional practice units, each worth 36 credit points (SWN021 and SWN022).

Requirements

ATAR/selection rank threshold
93.00

These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2025.

Don't have a ATAR/selection rank?

Find out other ways you can apply

Course code
SW81
QTAC code
425051
CRICOS code
093236K
Delivery
  • Kelvin Grove
Delivery
  • Kelvin Grove
Duration
2 years full-time
4 years part-time
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry
February
Entry
February
Deferment

You can't defer your offer in this course. You must start in the semester you apply for.

Entry requirements

You must have a completed recognised bachelor degree and have passed one year (8 units) of full-time studies in social sciences such as:

  • studies in society
  • human development
  • education
  • human services
  • law
  • media and communication
  • nursing
  • psychology
  • sociology
  • urban and regional planning.

This course is not designed for students who already have a bachelor degree in social work.

Overseas qualifications

QUT will consider equivalent overseas qualifications for admissions purposes. If you have tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.

We also recognise not all overseas social work qualifications will meet the professional requirements to gain membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). We will consider applications from overseas qualified applicants for this course.

If you are a qualified social worker in your country of residence, you should also contact the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) to determine any study you may need to undertake to be eligible for membership in Australia. This assessment may indicate that you won't need to complete the full two years of study and you may be eligible for some credit for prior learning (advanced standing) towards your study.

English language proficiency

We require students to demonstrate they can speak, write, read and comprehend academic English to a specified standard.

Our English proficiency requirements for this course are:

  • IELTS (Academic): 7.0 or better overall with no subscore below 7.0
  • PTE: 65 or better overall with no subscore below 65
  • TOEFL (IBT): 98 or better overall with listening and reading subscores of 24 or better, a writing subscore of 27 or better, and a speaking subscore of 23 or better
  • Cambridge English Score: 185 or better overall with no subscore below 185

The test must have been completed within 2 years prior to the proposed course start month.

Selection ranks

You will be considered solely on the basis of selection ranks from your prior degree studies plus any postgraduate studies you may have undertaken. Other qualifications and experiences may be allocated selection ranks for entry to other QUT courses but will not be considered for this course.

Find out more about how to Apply with Higher Education Study.

Adjustments to your selection rank

Any adjustments you receive to your selection rank will be applied to this course.

Find out if you're eligible for an adjustment to your selection rank

Deferment

You can't defer your offer in this course. You must start in the semester you apply for.

Minimum academic requirements

Entry requirements

You must have a completed recognised bachelor degree with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.00 (on QUT's 7 point scale) that includes the equivalent of at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences, for example:

  • studies in society
  • human development
  • education
  • human services
  • law
  • media and communication
  • nursing
  • psychology
  • sociology
  • urban and regional planning.

Note

This course is not designed for students who already have the equivalent of a Bachelor in Social Work. However, QUT recognises not all overseas social work qualifications will meet the professional requirements to gain membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and will consider applications from overseas qualified applicants for this course.  

Applicants who are qualified Social Workers in their country of residence should also contact the AASW to determine the study they may need to undertake to be eligible for membership in Australia.  This assessment may indicate that it will not be necessary for you to complete the full two years of study and you may be eligible for some advanced standing towards your study.

Minimum English language requirements

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.

English Test
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake
Overall 7
Listening 7
Reading 7
Writing 7
Speaking 7
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
Overall 185
Listening 185
Reading 185
Writing 185
Speaking 185
PTE Academic
Overall 65
Listening 65
Reading 65
Writing 65
Speaking 65
TOEFL iBT
Overall 98
Listening 24
Reading 24
Writing 27
Speaking 23
English Test Overall Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake 7 7 7 7 7
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. 		185 185 185 185 185
PTE Academic 65 65 65 65 65
TOEFL iBT 98 24 24 27 23

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.

2026 fees

2026: Fee available from October

Additional costs

There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs.

Find out more about additional course requirements and costs.

2026 fees

2026: Fee available from July

Additional costs

There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs.

Find out more about additional course requirements and costs.

2025 fees

2025: CSP $9,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)

Additional costs

There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs.

Find out more about additional course requirements and costs.

2025 fees

2025: $36,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)

Additional costs

There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs.

Find out more about additional course requirements and costs.

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Find out more about postgraduate course fees

FEE-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a FEE-HELP loan.

Find out more about government loans

Scholarships

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

Browse all scholarships

Equity scholarships scheme

A scholarship for low-income students studying in any faculty.

Scholarship eligibility
Struggling financially

You may also be eligible for

Centrelink payments

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