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Careers in Social Work and Community Welfare

The aim of social welfare work is to challenge social injustices such as poverty, discrimination and inequality and work towards the improvement of the general welfare of individuals groups and communities. You will gain the skills required to work with individuals, groups and communities in a multi-cultural society. Your studies at JCU place an emphasis on the connection between human rights and social justice, and encourage an understanding of the position of disadvantaged groups in our society.

BCW graduates work in a range of fields,
including:

  • Community Work

  • Community-based Organisations

  • Government Human Services

  • Social Planning

  • Advocacy

  • Social Action

  • International Community Development

BSW graduates work in a wide range of fields
including:

  • Social Work

  • Government Human Service Org’s

  • Hospitals

  • NGO’s

  • Social Policy Development

  • Research

  • Human Rights

Our Graduates:

  • Get interesting, well paid jobs, with good prospects of promotion

  • Can work in interesting places in Australia and overseas

  • Have fun while helping people and promoting social justice

Will I Get a job?

Yes! It is estimated that 97,000 positions will be available in the social welfare and refuge areas by 2008

In 2006, the median starting salary for social work and welfare studies graduates was $41,000

This salary was higher than the median starting salaries of all graduates

What sort of job will I get?

Our graduates work in a wide range of areas including:

  • Non-government Agencies

  • Women’s services

  • Neighbourhood Centres

  • Aged, Families, Youth

  • Domestic Violence agencies

  • Lifeline;

  • Centacare

  • Aboriginal and Islander Health Services

  • Agencies serving the aged, people with disabilities, families, the poor, youth etc

  • State Government Departments

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services

  • Department of Child Safety

  • Education

  • Health/hospitals

  • Prisons

  • Community Corrections

  • Disability services

Consider a career in Social Work or Community Welfare.

As well as…

  • Commonwealth Government Departments

  • ATSI services

  • Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FACSIA)

  • Defence

  • Family Courts

  • Foreign Affairs

  • Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

  • Centrelink

So, if you enjoy working and communicating with people, have a desire to understand social issues and have a commitment to working for social change, then Social Work or Community Welfare may offer you a rewarding career.