Course Overview

About This Course

If you have an undergraduate degree in an area other than social work, but want to move into this rewarding career, our Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) is ideal. Accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), this degree means you can be confident you’ll have the skills to make a difference when you graduate. Completing a postgraduate social work course opens up so many career opportunities. You could tackle human rights issues in Australia or across the globe, explore social justice opportunities, influence policy in social work, or seek a promotion in your current field. It's time to shape the future of social work – and your career. The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) encompasses areas such as child protection, cross-cultural and Indigenous studies, ethics, human rights, law, mental health, social policy, and in-depth study of social work methods and theories. You'll learn about people, communities, groups and social structures and how to think, communicate and respond to need and opportunity. Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) is an AQF Level 9 qualification, minimum 2 years full-time; maximum 4 years part-time, 128 credit points. It is offered at Wagga Wagga, Charles Sturt University Sydney, Charles Sturt University Melbourne — online and on campus. The course is professionally accredited by Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Indicative international tuition for 2026 is $34,496 per year of full-time study.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

Level 3, 222 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

$26,720 per year (full-time, 2026 indicative)

Duration

Minimum 2 years full-time; maximum 4 years part-time

Intakes

Session 1, 2027 — starts 1 March 2027 Session 2, 2027 — starts 12 July 2027

Study Mode

Full time, Part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must have a completed AQF Level 7 bachelor degree.
Applicants must also have one year of study in the social and behavioural sciences, either within their AQF degree or through other university studies.

Where an applicant already holds an AQF Level 7 bachelor degree, but needs to meet the prerequisite content, it can be completed it through:

single subject study AND/OR
the Graduate Certificate in Human Services (for those who are assessed as having already completed six months/four subjects of relevant content;)
And /or
as part of another qualification at undergraduate or postgraduate level
Please note: The Graduate Certificate and single subjects can only be used to meet prerequisite content. They cannot replace the required AQF Level 7 bachelor degree.

Domestic students:

Applications are accepted through Direct.

International students:

Non-Standard English language requirements: International students who have not completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to an AQF Level 9 degree course in Australia must have a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the Academic IELTS test upon application.
Entry requirements vary by country of qualification. Refer to the Charles Sturt International Admissions Matrix and the international course entry requirements page.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) opens up the potential to pursue a diverse range of roles.

You could work in:

Counselling
Case management
Social administration and policy formation
Social action and program planning
Family work and rehabilitation
Health
Community services and corrections
Disability advocacy
Legal aid
Research

If you're already employed in the human services sector, upgrading your qualifications can provide new opportunities to advance your career.
While Charles Sturt University social work graduates can travel the world and work anywhere, they are often found at the heart of communities in rural and regional areas.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

AASW

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units38 units

HCS525

Social Work Field Education 1

HCS524

Social Work Field Education 2A

HCS526

Social Work Field Education 2

HCS532

Human Rights and Law for the Human Services (postgraduate)

HCS507

Social Work Theory and Practice 1 - Foundations of Practice

SPE502

Social Work and Social Policy Practice

HCS518

Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan (postgraduate)

HCS509

Social Work Theory and Practice 3 - Mezzo level Practice

WEL429

Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers

SWK504

Human Services Research Methods

HCS508

Social Work Theory and Practice 2 - Micro Practice

SWK423

Ethics and Social Work Practice

HCS519

Power, Oppression, Violence and Trauma (postgraduate)

HCS511

Social Work Theory and Practice 4- Macro Practice and Professional Identity

HIP423

Transition to Allied Health Practice

PHL502

Law, Ethics and Human Rights

HCS510

Social Work Practice in Mental Health

MGT501

Contemporary Management

LAW517

Mediation: Processes and Uses

GER501

Contemporary Issues in Gerontology

SWK414

International Social Development

GER402

Health, Wellbeing and Family Care in Later Life

ETH402

Vulnerability and the Ethics of Intervention

HCS406

Social Work and Human Rights

WEL424

Loss, Grief and Palliative Care for Older People

WEL409

Grief, Loss and Change

WEL427

Transformative ecosocial change in human services

GER406

Issues in Dementia Care and Communication

WEL428

Building Sustainable Communities

GER404

Ageing and Professional Practice

WEL425

Addiction - clinical practice in human services

HCS410

Legal Issues in Child and Adolescent Welfare

HRM502

Human Resource Management

HCS513

Understanding Children from Adversity

WEL523

Contemporary Theories for Case Management

WEL426

Disaster Recovery: A Human Services Perspective

WEL407

Working alongside children and young people in Indigenous Australian communities

HCS523

Leadership in Human Services Practice

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) program?

The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) at Charles Sturt University runs for 104 weeks in total.

Does the course include a work placement component?

Yes, the course includes a significant work placement component consisting of 30 hours per week over 34 weeks, totalling 1,020 hours of practical work experience.

Where is the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) delivered?

The course is delivered at two locations: 77 Berry St, North Sydney, NSW 2060, and Level 3, 222 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Both are delivered through an arrangement with a non-registered provider.

What is the estimated total cost of the course for international students?

The estimated total course cost for international students is AU$70,936, which includes tuition fees of AU$70,200 and non-tuition fees of AU$736.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

To be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights, a course must be registered, be a Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor, Masters or PhD) of 92 weeks or greater duration, and have its narrow Field of Education align with the Skills Level 1 priority list, among other criteria. This course is a Masters degree of 104 weeks in the Human Welfare Studies and Services field, but eligibility is reviewed yearly. Contact ESOS-PolicyTeam@education.gov.au for more information.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $60,000 to $77,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $77,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Child Protection Practitioner / CaseworkerHospital Social WorkerMental Health Social WorkerAged Care Social WorkerDisability Support Coordinator (NDIS)

Key Skills

Case management and client assessmentCrisis intervention and risk assessmentCounselling and active listening techniquesCommunity development and capacity buildingSocial policy analysis and advocacy

Full Course Overview

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