Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Domestic students:

Recent secondary education (Year 12)

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.

HSC: One of English Standard, English Advanced (Band 3), English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Band 4).

Selection rank adjustments

VCE: A study score of 25 in any Humanities. Psychology, Legal Studies or Economics equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points

HSC:

Applicants who successfully complete one of the following HSC or equivalent Year 12 subjects will have their selection rank increased by one point per study:

Performance Band 3 in any Humanities subject, Psychology, Legal Studies or Economics; Performance Band 2 in any Language Other Than English (LOTE) subject.

Overall, selection ranks can be increased by a maximum of five points.

Higher education, VET and work/life experience applicants

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Additional selection information

• Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

• You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or
  • do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program. Refer to the La Trobe University STAT page page for further information.

• Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

• Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

• A study score of 25 in any Humanities. Psychology, Legal Studies or Economics equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points

International students:

Recent secondary education (Year 12)

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.

English language requirements

Please refer to our Language requirements page for details of other accepted English proficiency tests and additional recognised English language proficiency measures, such as English as the language of instruction.

7.0 IELTS (Academic) with no individual band less than 7.0.

All applicants:

Inherent requirements

Behavioural and relational skills

Core requirement

Students must be able to manage their own responses and behaviour to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals in order to complete tasks or for professional practice.

See also: Student Behaviours Policy

Course-specific requirement

Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in this role to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic and field placement environment.

Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable environments. Social work students will be exposed to highly complex human situations and will be required to have behavioural stability to manage these events. Failure to maintain this standard could jeopardise the health and wellbeing of others.

Cognition

Students must be able to locate, acquire, retain and apply knowledge as part of their learning and for assessment. They must have the ability to sustain their attention over a designated period, maintain their focus in a variety of learning environments and remember information long enough to complete tasks in a reasonable and safe timeframe.

Safe and effective social work practice is based on knowledge that must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately. A demonstrated defined range of knowledge and cognitive skills is a requirement for field placements and professional registration by the AASW.

Student demonstrates:

• Capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information
• Ability to process information relevant to practice
• Ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice

Graduates can find employment in private industries and the public sector, including:

• Community health centres and hospitals
  • Work alongside other health professionals to provide practical support, counselling, information and emotional support to clients.
• Government departments and non-government agencies
  • Provide case management, counselling and advocacy for clients, including children and families.
• Mental health and disability services
  • Provide recovery-oriented practice and support, advocate for policy changes, raise awareness on social issues and connect clients with human services.