Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
Be an agent of change and make a difference in the lives of families, individuals and communities. Our Master of Social Work (Qualifying) provides you with the skills and knowledge to work in a diverse range of practice contexts including urban, regional and remote and international settings. As a provisionally accredited course, graduates are eligible for membership to the Australian Association of Social Workers and will be a part of a growing and diverse CDU social work alumni. During the course, you will explore themes and concepts such as social justice, human rights, critical reflection and supervision, culturally responsive practice, research and advocacy. Students will complete two placements in the field to further consolidate classroom learning with real world practice.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree, you will develop key skills in critical thinking and working with persons of diverse backgrounds. Career opportunities exist in fields such as drug and alcohol, family violence, working with children and families, refugee and humanitarian contexts, social policy, justice, First Nations organizations, not-for-profit sector, government sector including child protection, health, education, residential and aged care, international development, social policy and research.
Professional recognition
As a graduate, you will be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Both Commonwealth supported (CS) and full fee (FF) places are available for this course. If you would like to apply for a CS place use the SATAC code 1CM106. If you would like to apply for a FF place you will need to use the SATAC code 1CM606.
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $33,168.00. This equates to $ $4,146.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study social work at CDU?
Study social work with us and make a real difference to local communities, families and individuals, or in the humanitarian aid industry abroad. You'll gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills through placements and intensive units, and graduate as a culturally competent specialist ready to create change.
- #1 Australian university for postgraduate social work employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for social work starting salaries (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study social work at CDU?
Study social work with us and make a real difference to local communities, families and individuals, or in the humanitarian aid industry abroad. You'll gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills through placements and intensive units, and graduate as a culturally competent specialist ready to create change.
- #1 Australian university for postgraduate social work employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for social work starting salaries (GUG 2024)
Why study social work at CDU?
Study social work with us and make a real difference to local communities, families and individuals, or in the humanitarian aid industry abroad. You'll gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills through placements and intensive units, and graduate as a culturally competent specialist ready to create change.
- #1 Australian university for postgraduate social work employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for social work starting salaries (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study social work at CDU?
Study social work with us and make a real difference to local communities, families and individuals, or in the humanitarian aid industry abroad. You'll gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills through placements and intensive units, and graduate as a culturally competent specialist ready to create change.
- #1 Australian university for postgraduate social work employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for social work starting salaries (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
Our Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is a two-year, full-time course comprising of core units in social work and two, 500 hours of field placements. Core units include an introduction to social work contexts and critical approaches to practice; culturally responsive practice with families, individuals and groups; social work theory and integrated methods; community development; advocacy, research; social policy and social change. Field placements are held in second semester each year and facilitate direct and indirect practice opportunities within a host organisation. The course uses a blend of online and face to face learning opportunities, with students required to attend 20 days of on campus workshop and skill development training across the length of the course. Students are required to pay for course related costs such as attendance at intensives and placements.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (11 units) | 160cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 160 credit points as per the list of units detailed below: SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (intensive) SWK523 Social Work Theory for Professional Practice (new title from 2024) SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy SWK533 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice A (intensive) (replaces SWK527 from 2024) SWK534 Interpersonal Skills for Professional Practice B (intensive) (replaces SWK522 from 2024) SWK535 Research for Community Development (replaces SWK528 from 2024) SWK536 Skills for Culturally Responsive Practice (20cp) (intensive) (replaces SWK524 and SWK529 from 2024) SWK558 Cultural Security in Child Protection Practice SWK530 Field Education A (Masters) (30 credit points) SWK631 Field Education B (Masters) (30 credit points) |
| 160cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2024
Students who have completed SWK527 are not required to complete SWK533.
Students who have completed SWK522 are not required to complete SWK534.
Students who have completed SWK528 are not required to complete SWK535.
Students who completed BOTH SWK524 and SWK529 are not required to complete SWK536.
Students who have completed SWK524 must complete SWK529 in 2024.
Students who have completed SWK529 must complete SWK524 in 2024.
Please note that 2024 will be the last offering for SWK524 and SWK529.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (intensive) | CO | SWK534 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice B (intensive) | CO |
| SWK523 Social Work Theory for Advanced Professional Practice | CO | SWK530 Field Education A (30 credit points) | CO |
| SWK558 Cultural Security in Child Protection Practice | CO | CO | |
| SWK533 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice A (intensive) | CO | CO | |
| Year 2 | |||
| SWK535 Research for Community Development | CO | SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy | CO |
| SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health | CO | SWK631 Field Education B (30 credit points) | CO |
| SWK536 Skills for Culturally Responsive Practice (20cp) (intensive) | CO | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (intensive) | CO | SWK534 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice B (intensive) | CO |
| SWK533 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice A (intensive) | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| SWK558 Cultural Security in Child Protection Practice | CO | SWK530 Field Education A (30 credit points) | CO |
| SWK523 Social Work Theory for Advanced Professional Practice | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| SWK535 Research for Community Development | CO | SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy | CO |
| SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| SWK536 Skills for Culturally Responsive Practice (20cp) (intensive) | CO | SWK631 Field Education B (30 credit points) | CO |
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
THREE-YEAR PROGRAM
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (intensive) | CO | SWK534 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice B (intensive) | CO |
| SWK533 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice A (intensive) | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| SWK523 Social Work Theory for Advanced Professional Practice | CO | SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy | CO |
| SWK558 Cultural Security in Child Protection Practice | CO | SWK530 Field Education A (30 credit points) | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| SWK535 Research for Community Development | CO | SWK631 Field Education B (30 credit points) | CO |
| SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health | CO | ||
| SWK536 Skills for Culturally Responsive Practice (20cp) (intensive) | CO | ||
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (intensive) | CO | ||
| SWK523 Social Work Theory for Advanced Professional Practice | CO | ||
| SWK558 Cultural Security in Child Protection Practice | CO | ||
| SWK533 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice A (intensive) | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| SWK534 Interpersonal Skills for Social Work Practice B (intensive) | CO | SWK535 Research for Community Development | CO |
| SWK530 Field Education A (30 credit points) | CO | SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health | CO |
| SWK536 Skills for Culturally Responsive Practice (20cp) (intensive) | CO | ||
Year 3 | |||
| SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy | CO | ||
| SWK631 Field Education B (30 credit points) | CO | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of:
- a recognised bachelor degree in any field; and
- the equivalent of one-year full-time study in behavioural or social science units, whether this be included in the completed degree or in the form of additional qualifications at diploma or above level.
Due to professional recognition, applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work undergraduate degree accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers will not be eligible for entry into this course.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either:
- completion of secondary education, that was taught and assessed in English from one of the recognised English speaking countries*, AND successfully completed (with a pass grade or higher) the equivalent of three years or more full-time tertiary study (at Bachelor Degree level or higher), that was taught and assessed in English, in one of the recognised English speaking countries*.
(*recognised countries include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America) - undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no score below a 7.0 in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 65 with no score less than 65 across all modules reading, writing, speaking and listening. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 with a minimum score of 24 in reading and listening, a minimum score of 27 in writing and a minimum score of 23 in speaking. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
CDU brings social work to life. The lecturers are experts from various sectors of social work practice.
Chigozie
CDU Student
CDU brings social work to life. The lecturers are experts from various sectors of social work practice.
Chigozie
CDU student
CDU brings social work to life. The lecturers are experts from various sectors of social work practice.
Chigozie
CDU Student
CDU brings social work to life. The lecturers are experts from various sectors of social work practice.
Chigozie
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about social work at CDU
Sam is from China studying a Bachelor of Social Work at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about social work at CDU
Sam is from China studying a Bachelor of Social Work at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
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