Course Overview

About This Course

A Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree equips you to empower people, strengthen communities and transform lives. This course prepares you for a professional career as a Social Worker, supporting individuals, families, and communities to navigate complex challenges. Grounded in human rights and social justice, it equips you with the knowledge and skills to work across diverse practice settings and contribute meaningfully to positive social outcomes. You will develop advanced knowledge of social work theory, practice, and ethics, with a focus on working with diverse populations and complex social issues. The course integrates policy, research, and direct practice, supported by professional placements that allow you to apply your learning in real-world settings and build capability as a reflective practitioner. Social work is one of the most meaningful careers you can build and the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at Acknowledge Education gives you the skills, confidence and AASW-accredited qualification to do it at the highest level. This two-year Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree is open to graduates with a relevant background in the social or behavioural sciences. You'll gain skills in social work theory, ethics, human rights, community development and 1,000 hours of supervised professional placement in real practice settings. Graduates are eligible to apply for membership with the AASW, subject to meeting the Association's requirements and can work in hospitals, government agencies, child protection, mental health services and beyond. Social work is an academic, practice-based profession that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people (AASW Practice Standards 2013). Consistent with this statement, upon completing the course, you will be equipped with a sound knowledge of the underlying principles, concepts, and critical skills in social work as well as demonstrated capabilities in critical thinking, ethical and reflective practice, and continuous professional development.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

MelbourneSydneyPerthMELBOURNEFORTITUDE VALLEYSURRY HILLS

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Completed a relevant three-year AQF Level 7 degree course that contains at least one year, or the equivalent, of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences.
Examples of studies in behavioural science include: Psychology (including psychology research and policy); Counselling/therapeutic roles (play therapy, rehabilitation counselling, art therapy, disability and inclusion); Specialist clinical areas (child development, drug and alcohol, working with ageing/disability populations, emergency services, education, family violence); Allied health areas (nursing/midwifery, health promotion, occupational/speech/physiotherapy, occupational health, audiology).
Examples of studies in social sciences include: Anthropology, Community development, Criminology, Economics with health/social focus, First Nation/Indigenous studies, Geography, International relations, Legal studies with health/social focus, Politics/Political Sciences, Public health, Sociology/Social sciences, Sustainability with health/social focus.
Graduate Certificate Pathway: If you have successfully completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree with four relevant units of study in social and behavioural sciences AND have successfully completed Acknowledge Education's Graduate Certificate in Health and Community, you are eligible for a pathway to the Master of Social Work (Qualifying).
Pre-requisite Unit Set Pathway: If you have successfully completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor's degree but do not have any relevant units of study in social and behavioural sciences, you have the opportunity to complete 4 units of the Bachelor of Community Services course.
Candidates entering the Master of Social Work program who have completed a three-year social welfare program may be granted a maximum of 25% or four units as long as they can meet all required learning outcomes for Australian social work graduates as defined in ASWEAS 2021.
English Requirements (Direct Entry): Completed a Year 12 or equivalent secondary school qualification in English; OR completed a higher qualification in English as the medium of instruction; OR achieved a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in each component (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) of the Academic IELTS test, or equivalent.
English Requirements (Pathway Entry): IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent, upon commencement of your pathway course.
Additional requirements prior to commencing fieldwork placements: COVID-19 Vaccination Record; National Police Record Check and/or Police clearance from country of residence; Working with Children Check.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates are eligible to apply for membership with the AASW, subject to meeting the Association's requirements, and can work in hospitals, government agencies, child protection, mental health services and beyond.

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 Units16 units

MSWFE401

Practice Education Preparation 1

Preparation for field education placements.

MSWSW401

Introduction to Social Work: History, Theory, and Professional Identity

Introduces the history, theory, and professional identity of social work.

MSWTP401

Foundations of Social Work Theory and Practice: Assessment and Intervention

Covers foundational theory and practice in assessment and intervention.

MSWCU401

Working with First Nations People

Focuses on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

MSWTP402

Intervention with Individuals and Families in Social Work Practice

Explores intervention approaches with individuals and families.

MSWTP403

Understanding Organisational Practice in/for Social Work

Examines organisational contexts of social work practice.

MSWRE402

Social Work Research

Online unit covering social work research methods.

MSWFE402

Field Education 1

First supervised professional placement in a social work setting.

MSWFE501

Field Education Preparation 2

Preparation for the second field education placement; a hurdle requirement to proceed to Field Education 2.

MSWCU502

Culture Identity and Discrimination

Online unit exploring culture, identity, and discrimination in social work.

MSWCU503

Challenging Systems & Cultures of Violence & Abuse

Examines systemic and cultural dimensions of violence and abuse.

MSWSW501

Human Rights, Ethics & Law

Online unit covering human rights, ethics, and law in social work.

MSWTP504

Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing

Focuses on psychosocial health and wellbeing across the life course.

MSWSW503

Leading Sustainable Community Change/Advocacy

Covers community development, leadership, and advocacy for social change.

MSWFE502A

Field Education 2

Second supervised professional placement in a social work setting.

MSWRE501A

Capstone Seminar

Online capstone unit integrating learning across the course.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many placement hours are required to complete the Master of Social Work (Qualifying)?

You must successfully complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of professional practice learning experience involving no more than three placements. These hours must be completed within the normal working hours or days of the organisation hosting the placement, and no leave of any kind may be included in this requirement.

Is this course accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)?

Yes, the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at Acknowledge Education is an AASW-accredited qualification. The course is aligned with the AASW Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS 2021 and 2024), and graduates are eligible to apply for membership with the AASW, subject to meeting the Association's requirements.

What campuses and intake dates are available for this course?

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is available at Acknowledge Education's Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth campuses. Intakes are offered in February, May, and September each year.

What entry pathways are available if I don't meet the direct entry requirements?

If you have an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree with four relevant units in social and behavioural sciences, you can enter via the Graduate Certificate Pathway by successfully completing Acknowledge Education's Graduate Certificate in Health and Community. If you have an AQF Level 7 Bachelor's degree with no relevant units, you can complete a Pre-requisite Unit Set by completing 4 units of the Bachelor of Community Services course, and then the Graduate Certificate in Health and Community, to become eligible for entry.

What is the course structure and how long does it take to complete?

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) spans six trimesters across two years of full-time study, with three trimesters per academic year. Students must successfully complete 96 credit points comprising 14 core units, including two field education placements totalling a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised professional practice.

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.

Upcoming Intakes

14 May 2026

14 September 2026

14 February 2027

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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