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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 ?
Campus ?
ATAR-SR ?
80
Delivery ?
On Campus
Duration
4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
  • Autumn 2026
Codes
CRICOS: 081143C
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.

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 future students. 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.

Applicants must achieve the required score in a previous qualification, equivalent to completing at least 13 years of schooling in Australia.

  • Academic Entry Requirements

    To succeed in your chosen course, you should have completed relevant subjects in senior high school or other qualifications. For more information, refer to UOW's Entry Requirements page.

  • English Language Requirements

    The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

     

    English Test

    Overall Score

    Reading

    Writing

    Listening

    Speaking
    IELTS Academic

    7.0

    7.0

    7.0

    7.0

    7.0
    TOEFL (Internet-based)

    94

    24

    27

    24

    23

     

    UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 75 in Academic Reading and Writing (ARW) and 75 in Academic Listening and Speaking (ALS))

    Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

  • 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.

    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

International Course fees table
Campus Delivery method Session fee* Course fee*
WollongongOn Campus$15696 (2025)$125568 (2025)
WollongongOn Campus$15696 (2026)$125568 (2026)
ShoalhavenOn Campus$15696 (2026)$125568 (2026)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Tuition fees are reviewing annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:

  • Autumn, 2025 at Wollongong

    Orientation: Check your campus details
    Session: 3 March - 27 June 2025

    Applications close

    • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 30 September 2024 (early bird), 30 January 2025 (final) (see UAC Key Dates).
    • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 December 2024*
    • International Applicants: 9 December 2024*

    *Applications must be complete with all the required documentation.

    Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

    Indicative enrolment

    The number of students in 2023 for the Bachelor of Social Work was 101. This indicates the likely size of this group of students (in these similar courses) in 2024.

    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 2023.

    Student profile table
    Applicant background 2023 intake 2023 intake (%)
    Higher education study 42 42%
    Vocational education & training study 13 13%
    Work & life experience <5 N/P
    Recent secondary education
    ATAR Only <5 N/P
    ATAR plus additional criteria 0 0%
    Other criteria only (non-ATAR) 41 41%
    International students <5 N/P
    All students 101 100%

    < 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 2023 ATAR Selection Rank
    Highest rank to receive an offer 97.34 99.94
    Median rank to receive an offer 83.9 83.9
    Lowest rank to receive an offer 76.59 81.59

    < 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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