Fast Facts
Location
Some compulsory on-campus attendance is required for online students.
Commencing
- Online: February, July
- Townsville: February, July
- Cairns: February, July
Fees
$11,830.00+
+estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Fees currently displayed are indicative only. 2024 fees will be uploaded by October, 2023.
Duration
4 years full-time
or part-time equivalent
Entry Requirements
ATAR 62
English (Units 3/4,C)
QTAC Codes
- 311099
- 311091
- 321091
Course detail
A Bachelor of Social Work from JCU provides you with the practical skills and experience to begin a rewarding career, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, International and tropical communities.
Learn how to promote positive relationships and champion a just and equitable society. You will study core subjects including social work with families and children, cross-cultural practice, eco-social justice, psychology and mental health. Benefit from passionate educators, state-of-the-art social research technology and real-world case studies with an emphasis on sustainability and advocacy.
Apply your theoretical knowledge to extensive field placements in your third and fourth years. Learn from leading social workers and build effective relationships with diverse cultures, including rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. You could also participate in field trips to India and Thailand.
JCU Social Work graduates are confident, high-achieving professionals with the skillset to succeed in a rewarding global workforce.
Graduates of this course are eligible for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Additional information
About JCU's Bachelors Degree in Social Work
Be equipped to become a force of change in society and the lives of individuals. Understand how to balance the structures of inequality built into modern societies through your Bachelor of Social Work studies with JCU.
Study Social Work and Prepare to Make a Difference
Partner with JCU to gain the training you need to use your passion for justice. Learn how to promote effective relationships among people from diverse backgrounds. Develop the skills and knowledge to work with individuals, groups, families and whole communities as you study social work at JCU.
Attain a world-class education at JCU and receive hands-on experience in an international context. Work with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds and build the skills necessary to bring people together, while finding equitable solutions to society's most pressing problems.
Broaden Your Perspective
You will work in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to learn about the present while understanding the significance of our past. Gain a unique perspective on how social, historical and political issues have impacted our societies, cultures and the environment.
Your social work degree in Queensland is nationally accredited and allows you to take part in research that matters, promoting the welfare of families and rural communities. Advocate for the welfare of individuals, groups, families and whole communities through your studies at JCU.
Experience Life First-Hand with JCU's Social Work Degree in Queensland
Gain first-hand experience working within cross-cultural situations. Work with issues of mental health and social welfare in the context of families with children. Develop critical insight through over 1,000 hours of hands-on, practical experience and learn how to address inequality head-on with viable solutions.
Work closely with marginalised people under the guidance of experienced lecturers committed to student success. Build active listening skills throughout your social work bachelor’s degree and learn how to develop strategies to address your client’s needs. Learn first-hand how social support programs succeed or fail.
Communicate Effective Change
Be equipped to promote meaningful change with your degree in social work - your ideas can make a difference. Through your studies at JCU, you will learn to consolidate information and present it in to your colleagues in creative and motivational ways.
The experience you gain through your studies will also give you the skill to empower others. You will become an agent of change, helping others take control of their lives and advocate to end social injustice and inequality in various cultural settings.
Learn Innovative Solutions During Your Bachelor of Social Work
Develop sound judgment and effective listening skills to assess client needs and respond appropriately. Build your abilities in decision-making and promoting constructive solutions to problems in a way that benefits everyone involved.
Make a genuine difference in the lives of others where it is needed most with your social work degree from JCU. Your excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to solve problems effectively while learning will increase your employability. Whether you want to work in aged care, with children, or with people experiencing homelessness, drug addiction, or domestic violence, you will be prepared for a successful and meaningful future.
Hide additional information
View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects, as well as pre-placement requirements.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment,and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work.
Honours
The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) degree is available for high-achieving students. It consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees.
JCU Social Work graduates are equipped to advocate for social justice and change in a broad range of environments.
Graduates pursue careers in Australia and overseas in aged care, public housing, child welfare, government agencies, drug and alcohol support, domestic violence, Indigenous health, not-for-profit groups, education, private and public hospitals, and more.
You could find employment as a child protection officer, mental health counsellor, health policy officer, health services manager, social worker, youth worker, or school counsellor.
Social workers can be involved in supporting individuals, groups and communities to respond and adapt to a changing climate.
Entry score threshold
These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2023. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in June each year. Meeting the threshold doesn't guarantee admission.
ATAR/Selection Rank: 66.50
Entry score range
This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the Bachelor of Social Work for Semester 1, 2023. The table includes offers deferred to Semester 1, 2023 which may have been assessed using the entry score threshold of an earlier year.
JCU Townsville
Without adjustments | With adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | 94.65 | 98.65 |
Median | 70.00 | 71.15 |
Lowest | 68.00 | 70.00 |
JCU Cairns
Without adjustments | With adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | <5 | <5 |
Median | <5 | <5 |
Lowest | <5 | <5 |
External
Without adjustments | With adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | <5 | <5 |
Median | <5 | <5 |
Lowest | <5 | <5 |
Notes:
<5 – indicates less than 5 OP/ATAR-based offers made.
* Refer to Adjustment Factors
Find out more about who you might study with by viewing this course’s student profile.
Adjustment factors
James Cook University applies bonus ranks under the Regional Preference Scheme and QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS). Learn more about JCU’s adjustment factors.
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
Level 1
PL1001:03 The Political World: An Introduction to Political Science
SY1001:03 Australian Society: An Introduction to Sociology
WS1005:03 Human Rights, Social Justice, and the Law
WS1006:03 Foundations of Social Work
WS1007:03 Lifespan Development and Psychology for Social Welfare Practice
WS1008:03 Social Policy and Social Work
CY1001:03 Deviance, Crime and Society
SS1010:03 Australian People: Indigeneity and Multiculturalism
Level 2
WS2009:03 Foundations of Social Work Research
WS2010:03 Women, Power and Society
SY2100:03 Migration, Ethnicity and Belonging
WS2121:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Skills and Frameworks for Practice
WS2510:03 Interpersonal Skills
WS2511:03 Professional Ethics
WS2512:03 Organisational Practice
WS2513:03 Community Work
Level 3
WS3025:03 Group Work
WS3027:03 Working with Children and Families
WS3214:03 Eco Social Justice
WS3503:09 Field Education 1
WS3515:03 Professional Skills for Social Work Practice
WS3513:03 Developing Research Proposals
Level 4
WS4005:03 Conducting Research and Program Evaluation
WS4504:09 Field Education 2
WS4514:03 Advanced Social Work Theory
WS4503:03 Social Work and Mental Health
WS4511:03 Professional Identity and Social Work Practice
WS4812:03 Social Work Practice in Contemporary Contexts
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Cairns | Internal or mixed-mode attendance |
JCU Townsville | Internal or mixed-mode attendance |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Maximum time to complete | 11 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 3 years |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Nil |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Yes Further information about placements can be found at: Coursework Enrolment Procedure. Students may be required to undertake placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled at their own expense. |
Special assessment requirements | Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy. |
Professional accreditation requirements | Graduates are eligible for full membership of AASW. Student preliminary membership is available. |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure. |
Maximum allowed | 63 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 21 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course. |
Other restrictions | Diploma: Maximum 24 credit points (unspecified credit) at various year levels Advanced Diploma: Maximum 27 credit points. 24 credit points (unspecified credit – at various year levels) PLUS 3 credit points (specified - WS1006:03 Self in Professional Helping). Credit will not be granted for Field Education 2 (WS4504). |
Award Details
Award title | BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK |
Approved abbreviation | BSW |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not applicable - this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. |
Course articulation | Students who successfully complete the entry requirements for the embedded honours program will be eligible to apply for entry to the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) [Embedded] after three years. |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
Honours
Honours availability | Available as an Embedded honours program |
Eligibility | By invitation of the College Dean Normally at least a credit grade in four level 2 or level 3 social work subjects; and at least a distinction grade in at least two level 2 or level 3 social work subjects (including WS3513 Research Proposal Seminar) is required in the bachelor degree. |
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD11,830.00
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
An ATAR is the score required for entry into most undergraduate courses. If you are not a Year 12 school leaver or do not have an ATAR, you can be assigned an equivalent score. Scores are calculated from previous study that you might have completed, either secondary, tertiary or vocational, or previous paid employment experience.
JCU offers pathway courses to help you move into a degree. Pathway courses provide you with an individualised study plan and specialised support as you transition to university.
Contact us to find out more.
Note the course QTAC code for the location you've chosen. You'll need to enter it as part of your QTAC application.
Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.
ATAR score is indicative only. Entry scores will be finalised in the major offer round.
Real stories
-
Student
Leah Nicholls
Bachelor of Social Work
With JCU Social Work, I had the opportunity to travel to Kerala, India, for a student exchange program in 2018. It was a life-changing experience, which created new world views and opinions about working with communities, families and individuals. I made lifelong friends who I still keep in contact with today.
-
Alumni
Wesley Bennet
Bachelor of Social Work
I work at ACT for Kids as a social worker and therapist. I come from an Aboriginal family – I’m the first person in my family to go to university. Studying Social Work was great because it gave me the opportunity to work with other Indigenous families. This career is so rewarding and interesting. You won’t regret it.
-
Lecturer
Dr Vinnitta Mosby
College of Arts, Society and Education
One of the unique features of JCU Social Work is the incorporation of a lot of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content into our degree. Our students will have clients and colleagues who are Indigenous, so it’s very important that they work in an effective, appropriate and respectful manner with communities.
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Employer
Ross Murray
North Queensland President, Australian Association of Social Workers
Employing and working alongside JCU Social Work graduates has been a seamless process of securing well trained and supported graduates. The standout attributes we have observed with graduates in our workplace is the level of preparedness and readiness to provide productive clinical services on start of employment.