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.
‘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.’
'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.'
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.
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.
‘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.’
'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.'
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.
'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
'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
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.
‘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.’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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