AASW accredited programs
All listed courses meet Australian Association of Social Workers professional standards.
- info@mapeducation.com.au
- Suite 201/110 Church Street Parramatta, NSW 2150
Hot Course · Care
Social Work
Make a measurable difference in people's lives.
Verified Pathway
MARN 2619348
Duration
2 – 4 years
Intake
Feb · Jul
IELTS
7.0 (AASW)
Tuition (avg)
AUD $28k – $38k / yr
PR Pathway
Yes · High demand
Why study this in Australia
Three reasons this is a smart bet.
Australia's skilled-occupation lists, university rankings and graduate-salary data all point to Social Work as one of the most reliable study-and-stay pathways available right now.
Field placement included
Minimum 1,000 hours of supervised practice across two placements — paid roles common after graduation.
Aging population = demand
Aged-care, mental-health and child-protection roles forecast to grow 24% by 2033.
The detail
Everything you need to plan.
Course overview, real career outcomes and entry requirements — written by our counsellors, not the marketing department.
The brief
Social work is a rewarding, people-centred profession dedicated to helping individuals, families and communities improve their wellbeing. With an ageing population, a national focus on mental health and the rollout of the NDIS, qualified social workers are in strong, sustained demand across Australia.
Qualifications & study levels
- Bachelor of Social Work — 4 years; the standard entry qualification.
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying) — 2 years; for graduates who already hold a bachelor degree in another field.
- Graduate Certificate / Diploma — shorter postgraduate study in specialised areas.
Popular fields of practice
- Mental health & counselling
- Child protection & family services
- Aged care & disability (NDIS)
- Health / hospital social work
- Community development & policy
Accreditation & placements
Only programs accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) lead to professional recognition. Every accredited degree includes a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised field placement across two contrasting settings — real experience employers value. Social Worker (ANZSCO 272511) sits on the MLTSSL skilled list.
Career Outcomes
Social Work graduates work across health, government and community sectors. The profession (Social Worker, ANZSCO 272511) is on the MLTSSL, and AASW assesses skills for migration — for graduates of an accredited Australian degree, no prior work experience is required.
- Clinical / Mental Health Social Worker — counselling and psychosocial support. AUD $80,000 – $110,000.
- Child Protection Practitioner — safeguard children and families. AUD $75,000 – $100,000.
- Hospital / Medical Social Worker — support patients and carers. AUD $75,000 – $100,000.
- Disability & Aged Care Case Manager — coordinate NDIS and aged-care support. AUD $70,000 – $95,000.
- Community Development Worker — design programs for vulnerable groups. AUD $70,000 – $90,000.
- Policy & Advocacy Officer — shape social policy in government and NGOs. AUD $85,000 – $115,000.
Salaries typically range from AUD $70,000 to $100,000+, with senior and clinical roles paying more.
Entry Requirements
Academic requirements
- Bachelor of Social Work: completed Year 12 or equivalent.
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying): a completed bachelor degree, ideally with some study in the social or behavioural sciences; some programs accept relevant experience.
English language proficiency
Social work carries higher English requirements because of professional accreditation:
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in each band (AASW standard)
- PTE Academic: 65 (no score below 65)
- TOEFL iBT: 94 (24 in writing)
Intakes, fees & other
- Intakes: February and July
- Tuition: approx. AUD $28,000 – $40,000 per year
- Placements: 1,000 supervised hours; a National Police Check and Working with Children Check are required
Contact us to confirm whether your prior study meets AASW entry rules and to plan your English-test strategy.
Top providers we work with
Study Social Work at top-ranked universities.
We partner with 40+ Australian universities and vocational providers. These are the institutions most students choose for Social Work — based on rankings, fee, location and PR-pathway support.
Ready when you are
Find the right university match in 30 minutes.
Our counsellors will shortlist 3 – 5 universities for Social Work based on your budget, IELTS score, preferred city and PR goals — for free.