Study the Bachelor of Social Work (External)

Study Social Work online

Make a real difference.

Social Work is a career for those who refuse to accept injustice. Study online and gain the knowledge, skills and values to help create a society that is fair and inclusive. This course will empower you to apply social work theories and skills, incorporating knowledge from a range of disciplines, including psychology, sociology and social policy.

Accredited by the Australian Association of Social Work, this course will qualify you to work as a social worker in a range of health and social welfare services.

Delivery mode: This course is delivered online, but does have some on campus requirements, in accordance with AASW requirements. Students are required to attend our Bedford Park campus in South Australia for 20 days of face-to-face learning, focusing on practice skills. This is taught in intensives, so that students in regional and remote areas and interstate can travel to attend. Students can enrol in individual topics internally and externally.

Students residing outside of South Australia: Every effort will be made to organise placements close to your home location. This is taught in intensives, so that students in regional and remote areas and interstate can travel to attend. Students can enrol in individual topics internally and online.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.

Domestic

I am an
International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

Switch to International

I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

Switch to Domestic

Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

None

2024 selection rank

70.00

Guaranteed selection rank

75.00

TAFElink

Diploma or above

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

244285

Delivery mode

In person:

– Bedford Park

Online: Yes - plus placement/intensive

Duration

4 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)
Deferrable: Yes

Annual indicative fee

2025: $9,314

How are these fees calculated?

Start dates

– March
– July

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Apply via SATAC

244285 (Bedford Park)

Why study Social Work at Flinders

We're number one in SA in Social Work for overall educational experience, as well as full-time employment*
Enjoy flexible study options. Enrol in topics internally (face-to-face) or online
Learn from teachers who are leaders in social work research and practice
Explore topics with a focus on social impact, such as Decolonising Social Work, Violence and Abuse, and Sustainable Social Work
Gain practical training in our excellent on-campus facilities, including a Social Work Simulation and Skills Lab
Our Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) is a leading national social work research centre, undertaking research that uses evidence and lived experience, to create innovative solutions in and around social work._{* The Good Universities Guide 2023 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only}

Your career

The Bachelor of Social Work prepares you for a wide range of careers, including employment opportunities with government, not-for-profit and private organisations.

Employment opportunities:

direct practice with individuals
group work
community development
research
social policy.

Areas of employment include:

child protection
health
mental health
domestic violence
homelessness.

Professional accreditation/recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Indigenous graduates and students can join a network of Aboriginal social workers through Indigenous Allied Health Australia, which centres on Aboriginal professional practice.

In accordance with AASW requirements, students are required to attend the Bedford Park campus in South Australia for 20 days of face-to-face learning, focusing on practice skills. This is taught in intensives so that students in regional and remote areas and interstate can travel to attend.

This is an AASW-accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.

What you will study

First year

A typical first year may include:

social work topics including introduction to social work and interpersonal skills
introductory topics in Indigenous studies. psychology, sociology, social policy and healthcare systems.

Second year

A typical second year may include:

social work topics focusing on decolonising social work, social work theories, social policy practice, practicing social work with individuals, and working with groups and communities
topics in lifespan development and human service practice and law.

Third year

A typical third year may include:

topics focusing on professional judgement and decision making, research and evaluation, mental health, children and families: wellbeing and protection, and identity, self and agency
an intensive field placement.

Fourth year

A typical fourth year may include:

topics including advanced social work theories, violence and abuse, and sustainable social work
an intensive field placement
a choice of option topics.

Based on a competitive process, some students will be invited to transfer into the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) in the fourth year of the course.

View study program

Practical experience

Throughout your studies, you'll gain practical experience preparing you for an exciting career:

Develop your practice skills in our on-campus Social Work Simulation and Skills Lab
Undertake two supervised field education placements (in accordance with AASW requirements)
Placement options include child protection, community health, hospital social work, research, social planning, aged care, social work with migrant groups, correctional services and more.

What you'll need

Prior to your first placement, you will be required to provide the following:

Screening assessments through the Department of Human Services (DHS) for working with children, in the aged care sector and disability services
National Police Check
Child Safe Environments training
Driver's licence (required for most placements)
Students may be required to address other industry-specific conditions.

Please note that eligibility for placement is critical to progressing through this degree.

Financial Support while you're on placement?

You could be eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Placement - up to $331.65 per week.*

Begins July 2025 | Teaching, Social Work, Nursing and Midwifery

Find out more

^{*Terms and conditions and eligibility criteria apply}

ATAR and Student Profile Information

ATAR and Selection Rank profile

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published

ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds	ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors	Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer	96.80	98.10
Median rank to receive an offer	75.50	81.00
Lowest rank to receive an offer	61.80	70.05

Student Profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024)	Number of students	Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	42	38%
Vocational education and training (VET) study	23	21%
Work and life experience	6	5%
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	19	17%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test)	0	0
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways)	14	13%
International Students	7	6%
All students	111	100%

How to apply

Choose your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Apply via SATAC

244285 (Bedford Park)

Apply to transfer internally

Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.

Admission pathways

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous higher education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through adult entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

Find the entry path that’s right for you.

Explore our pathways

Inherent requirements

The Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work meets external Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) accreditation requirements. Both programs provide graduates with the necessary qualification to be eligible for membership to the AASW, and practice as social workers.

The Statement of Inherent Requirements is designed to help prospective students make informed decisions about whether they will be in a position to complete the requirements of either a Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work. If you intend to enrol in either of these degrees look carefully at the inherent requirements to determine whether you will be able to meet them.

View inherent requirements

Choosing your preferences

When choosing your preferences through SATAC, another Flinders degree you might want to include in your list is the Bachelor of Arts.

How to apply

Select your course.

Check entry requirements.

Check your eligibility for credit.

Apply online

Obtain certified documents.

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

Inherent requirements

The Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work meets external Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) accreditation requirements. Both programs provide graduates with the necessary qualification to be eligible for membership to the AASW, and practice as social workers.

The Statement of Inherent Requirements is designed to help prospective students make informed decisions about whether they will be in a position to complete the requirements of either a Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work. If you intend to enrol in either of these degrees look carefully at the inherent requirements to determine whether you will be able to meet them.

View inherent requirements

English language pathways

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through Flinders University Academy – or our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.

This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Find out more

For applicants seeking admission from semester 1, 2021:

Must demonstrate English language proficiency of Academic IELTS 7.0 overall and 7.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening or the equivalent.

Academic program pathways

If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through Flinders University Academy. With a range of diplomas, foundation and English language courses, students can find a direct pathway into the destination degree of their choice.

Find out more

Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Bachelor of Social Work (Online)

Study Social Work online