Social work courses
Social work attracts people who want their career to count for something. They work in mental health, child protection, aged care, family services and community development helping people through moments of crisis with the kind of sustained, skilled support that makes a real difference. Few careers put you this close to the moments that can change someone’s life.
Australia’s social work courses cover undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and the right entry point depends on your background and career goals. Acknowledge Education builds its social work courses in Australia around the skills that employers in the sector repeatedly look for.
Graduates leave ready to work in some of Australia’s most in-demand healthcare and community settings, with the practical experience and qualifications that employers value. An AASW-accredited programme also makes graduates eligible for professional membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers, the recognised standard for social work practice in Australia.
Lead change that matters. A Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree equips you to empower people, strengthen communities and transform lives.
Acquire a wealth of skills and knowledge for your future career in health or community services.
Ready to turn your empathy into a career? A Bachelor of Social Work degree puts you on the frontline of real, lasting change.
Enrolments for this course are currently paused while the program undergoes a review.
Why Study with AE?
Real outcomes for international students in Australia. We understand your goals and provide pathways to achieve them.
Industry-aligned curriculum
Our courses are shaped by employer input and current industry standards, so what you learn today is exactly what workplaces are looking for tomorrow.
Structured study pathway
We offer clear progression from vocational training through to higher education, with qualifications that build on each other so you always know what's next.
Hands-on applied learning
You'll learn by doing through practical projects, industry-standard tools, and simulated environments that get you ready for the real world from day one.
Multiple Australian campuses
With campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, you can choose the location that suits you best and enjoy the same quality experience wherever you study.
Joining a community
You'll become part of a diverse, supportive community of students, educators, and industry connections that extend well beyond graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do you need to be a social worker in Australia?
To practise as a qualified social worker in Australia, you generally need an AASW-accredited social work qualification, or an overseas qualification assessed by the AASW as comparable. A Bachelor of Social Work is the most common entry point for new students, and those who have completed a relevant three-year AQF Level 7 degree course that includes at least one year (equivalent to 8 units) of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences can pursue a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) instead and gain AASW eligibility upon graduation.
AASW membership is the professional standard most employers in the sector look for. Both pathways lead to eligibility, so the qualification you choose comes down to your background and how quickly you want to enter the workforce.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Australia?
Getting a Bachelor of Social Work takes four years of full-time study. A Master of Social Work (Qualifying), open to those who have completed a relevant three-year AQF Level 7 degree course that includes at least one year (equivalent to 8 units) of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences, normally takes just two years of full-time study. Both qualifications include supervised fieldwork placements as a core requirement of AASW accreditation.
What is the main role of a social worker?
Social workers support individuals, families and communities through some of the most challenging periods of their lives. They help people access services, work through difficult experiences, rebuild their confidence and live with greater independence. The work takes them into mental health, child protection, aged care, disability, housing and community development settings.
No two cases ever look alike, which is part of why social workers tend to stay in the profession for the long haul. Many develop deep expertise in a particular specialisation over the course of their career, like family services or mental health. Even after you’ve become a social worker, you can still choose to specialise in the area that interests you the most.