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Bachelor of Social Work

Promote social change. Improve individuals' lives. Build better communities.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

If you’re planning to study at UOW immediately after finishing your HSC, International Baccalaureate (IB), or an interstate equivalent, you can apply for Early Admission to this course. Applications can be submitted via the UOW Early Admission website during the designated period, usually June – August each year.

Students can also apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

If you’re a non-school leaver (e.g., completed Year 12 previously and/or have a TAFE qualification or equivalent), you can apply directly to UOW.

Before applying, please review the requirements, intakes, and deadlines for your chosen degree.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent. An agent can help navigate the application process and ensure that you submit all necessary documentation. For your nearest agent, please see our agent list.

Alternatively, if you would like to apply directly (without an agent), you can start the process through our Apply Online portal. Please note, some applicants will not be eligible to apply directly and will be prompted to apply via an agent.

International students who are studying an Australian Year 12 qualification in or outside of Australia may choose to apply through UOW Early Admission, and/or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?
Year ?
Campus
Wollongong
ATAR-SR ?
80
IBAS ?
30.25
Delivery ?
On Campus
Duration
4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
Codes
UAC: 755340
UOW: 347

Overview

Social workers make an important contribution to the wellbeing and improvement of society. With a strong commitment to social justice and human rights, social workers can be found working with people who are disadvantaged and marginalised by society because of poverty or personal circumstances.

As a social work graduate you will enter the labour market with extensive skills and knowledge and supervised professional practice experience. You will be ready to promote social change and development, and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Providing a balance of skills, concepts and theory, as well as hands-on experience, this degree will cover five areas: study of the individual and society; skills for practice; enactment of social justice; engaging with community; and supervised professional practice.

In 2026, only first year subjects will be available to study at Liverpool campus. Students seeking credit for prior learning will be assessed on a case by case basis. 

See the course handbook for more information. 

The intensive professional experience in this degree will allow you to practise your skills with real people, in real world situations, giving you first-hand social work experience. This experience ensures you are job-ready when graduating, making you highly attractive to employers.

See more

Careers

  • Access and Equity Advisor
  • Aged and Disability Officer
  • Case Manager
  • Community Development Officer
  • Disability Services Manager
  • Domestic Violence Advocacy Worker
  • Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
  • Family Relationship Coordinator
  • Social Worker
  • Welfare Officer
See more

Accreditation & professional recognition

The Bachelor of Social Work is fully accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). Graduates of this course are eligible for membership of the AASW, which is required by many employers.

Graduates will also be required to meet AASW English language requirements for migration and/or employment purposes.

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

Assumed Knowledge
UOW assumes students will have studied any two units of English.

  • Recent Secondary Education

    If you are a current high school student in Australia, or you’ve finished high school recently, your admission to UOW will likely be based on your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or International Baccalaureate admissions score (IBAS). 

    Other high-school qualifications UOW considers for entry include: 

    • GCE A-Levels
    • New Zealand NCEA Level 3
    • Overseas senior secondary qualifications comparable to Australian qualifications 

    Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.  

    See UOW Admissions for more information. 

    The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is a Selection Rank of 80. Your Selection Rank is your ATAR or IB Combined Rank plus any adjustments you are eligible to receive.

    Selection Rank adjustments

    Adjustments are used to increase your Selection Rank. Factors such as the subjects you are studying, the location of your school, or your eligibility for equity and access schemes may be taken into consideration. Find out more about UOW's adjustment factors.

  • Higher Education Study

    For your application to be assessed on your university results you need to have completed at least half a year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) at a Bachelor's degree level or higher. Your grades will be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes. Students may also be eligible for credit for prior learning.

  • Work and life experience

    Admission to UOW is primarily based on your academic qualifications, with work or life experience generally not considered. If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, we recommend exploring recognized pathway programs, such as those offered by UOW College or the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC).

    For more information, please refer to the UOW Admissions Information page.

Compulsory Work Based Placement
This course requires completion of 1000 hours over 104 weeks (10 hours per week) in the final two years of the course.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

    UOW's Woolyungah Indigenous Centre's Indigenous Admissions Program (IAP) offers an alternative pathway for Indigenous Australians aged 17 and over who are seeking entry into an undergraduate course at UOW. Upon completing the IAP, applicants will be considered for admission based on an interview and assessment of both academic and non-academic qualities. For further details, including the application process, please contact Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.

  • Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

    If you have completed or partially completed studies at an approved university or tertiary institution, you may be eligible for entry to UOW. You'll need to provide academic records, and your course must be at least one-sixth complete. Non-English documents must include an official English translation. For more information, contact the UOW Future Students Team.

  • English language proficiency

    All UOW courses are taught in English and require varying levels of proficiency. If English is not your first language, you must meet the University’s English Language Requirements, which differ by course.

    Accepted international test results include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, and OET for specific health-related courses.

    Alternatively, you can fulfill the requirement by completing an English course at UOW College.

  • Workload

    Full-Time Study Load

    As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

    Part-Time Study Load

    For part-time students, study hours will vary based on the number of units taken, with similar expectations for class and independent study.

    For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

  • Record Check

    NSW Health Requirements
    The NSW Health Department requires all students undertaking clinical placements at NSW Health hospitals and facilities to:

    • undergo a national criminal record check; and
    • comply with NSW Health's immunisation requirements

    prior to employment or placement in any capacity in the NSW health system.

    This criminal record clearance will be conducted by the NSW Police and/or the Australian Federal Police. Students are required to arrange for this check to be undertaken following enrolment, and the cost of the check will be their responsibility.

    Students should consult the information on Criminal Records Checks, Prohibited Employment Declaration and Infectious Diseases in the Health Placements section.

    Child Protection
    Under the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012, and the Child Protection (Working with Children) Regulation 2013, students enrolled in UOW degrees where their studies require them to engage in activities that involve children or young people, may be required to complete a Volunteer/Student Declaration and/or undergo a Working With Children Check (WWCC).

     

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

    Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

    UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available. For eligible domestic students, Australian government funding will contribute towards your tuition fees. The remaining proportion, known as a student contribution, will depend on when you begin study (enrolment year) and study area. Read more domestic student fees and CSPs.

  • Autumn Session, 2025 at UOW

    Application Deadline: See important dates for more information
    Orientation: Check your campus details
    Session: 03 March - 27 June 2025

  • Autumn Session, 2026 at UOW

    Application Deadline
    Applications must include all required documents to be considered complete. If submitted late, your application may be reviewed for a future session if a decision cannot be made in time for your preferred session. 

    ApplicationDate
    Domestic (UAC Early Bird)30 September, 2025
    International9 December, 2025
    Domestic (direct)31 December, 2025
    Domestic (UAC final round)29 January, 2026

    Session Details
    For more detailed information like enrolment cutoffs and exam periods, see key dates. 

     Date
    OrientationCheck your campus details
    Session start2 March, 2026
    Census date31 March, 2026
    Mid-session recess20 - 24 April, 2026
    Session end25 June, 2026

    Indicative enrolment

    The tables below contain information on the 2024 commencing student cohort, which indicates the likely profile of students for 2025.

    Student profile

    This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2024.

    Student profile table
    Applicant background 2024 intake 2024 intake (%)
    Higher education study 35 36%
    Vocational education & training study 13 14%
    Work & life experience <5 <5
    Recent secondary education
    ATAR Only <5 <5
    ATAR plus additional criteria 0 0%
    Other criteria only (non-ATAR) 42 44%
    International students <5 <5
    All students 96 100%

    < 5: Number of students is less than 5
    N/A: Data not available for this item
    N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)

    ATAR profile

    This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ATAR-based admission.

    ATAR profile table
    ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2024 ATAR Selection Rank
    Highest rank to receive an offer 92.8 99.95
    Median rank to receive an offer 77.95 83.25
    Lowest rank to receive an offer 69.35 75.35

    < 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
    N/A: Data not available for this item
    N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

    More information

    For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.

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