Overview 2021
Location
Commonwealth Supported places available
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the International Online Course Guide (PDF 809KB) for courses that are offered to international students
Recent systemic failures of care, particularly in aged care and disability support, have come to the forefront in Australia. The Undergraduate Certificate in Social Care will provide you with a critical perspective of responsible care: you’ll develop a greater understanding of the vulnerability of people who access support services and how you can help them to overcome social and personal issues.
Your studies will focus on practical skills that can improve the quality of care provided to people by emphasising their strengths, promoting their sense of dignity and self-worth, and enabling their autonomy. This course is relevant for anyone working with people in sensitive situations as well as those wanting to progress their studies to obtain a professional qualification in Social Work.
Please visit our Certificates page for answers to frequently asked questions about the Job Ready Certificates.
Learning outcomes
- Explain how systems of social care can create, perpetuate and respond to social, cultural, economic, health and political inequalities.
- Identify practical and collaborative strategies that can address the needs and barriers experienced by people in social care settings.
- Use communication skills that are sensitive to the needs of people who access social care services.
- Suggest ethical and strengths-focused practices to promote client-direct outcomes in social care.
Career outcomes
A career in the social care sector is rewarding and challenging. Your job opportunities range from aged care and disability support to education and community development. Our graduates are equipped to shape and respond to social care opportunities and challenges through their understanding of professional practice in the community care sector, and by being culturally competent citizens in a local, national, and global society.
This is an excellent opportunity to further your career in aged care and disability support roles. You could be the support someone needs to change their path and give them the strength to address life-changing concerns.
In addition to developing job-ready skills, you'll also have the option to pursue further study in the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours, receiving full credit towards Year 1 of the bachelors course for the four units of study completed towards the certificate.
Course structure
The Undergraduate Certificate in Social Care requires the completion of 50 credit points comprising:
- 25 credit points of Core units;
- 12.5 credit points from Core Option Pair A and;
- 12.5 credit points from Core Option Pair B
Core
HGA138: Society Culture and Health explores the ways in which social and cultural factors and power relations shape the distribution of health and illness and experiences of health and illness in contemporary Australia. The unit will help you to develop…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Spring school (November) | ||||
This unit introduces you to the foundations of social work practice in human service organisations. You will develop critical analytical skills to explore historical and contemporary inequalities of power and privilege based on, for example, race, gender, sexuality, geographic location…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for HGW101 Introduction to Social Work and Human Service Practice
Core Option Pair A
Practical interventions employing arts-based activities, including music, theatre, dance and visual arts, are increasingly being employed nationally and internationally to improve mood and well-being, physical activity and cognitive processing for people with dementia. Arts-based programs have also been shown to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit will provide an introduction to existing evidence-based research on the benefits of engagement with the arts in ageing, and strategies to mitigate risk factors for dementia employing creativity. The unit offers opportunities for students to undertake creative tasks…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Spring school (extended) | ||||
Core Option Pair B
In this unit, you will explore and compare different models of service design articulation and delivery and how they influence health and wellbeing outcomes for diverse population groups. With a focus on rights, self-determination and strengths-based approaches, you will investigate…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for ZAC103 Principles of Individualised Support
Support services, both mainstream and specialised, are adopting contemporary disability practices to enable self-determination, choice and control by people with disability. This unit examines these concepts in both a historical context and in relation to the Disability Royal Commission and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for ZAC208 Contemporary Disability Practice
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
Domestic Applicants who have recently completed secondary education
- This course uses ATAR and equivalent ranks as part of the admission process.
- Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission.
Domestic Applicants with higher education study
- Completed a course at Associate Degree level or higher at any Australian higher education provider (or an equivalent overseas qualification); or
- Completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) of a course at Associate Degree level (or an equivalent overseas qualification). If you have failed any units your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; or
- Completed the UTAS Diploma of University Studies; or
- Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program, or an equivalent enabling program offered by another Australian university.
Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed:
- A completed VET Certificate III or higher.
Domestic Applications on the basis of work or life experience
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
Special consideration
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
International applicants
This course is currently not offered to international students.
Articulation to
Graduates of the Undergraduate Certificate in Social Care will have the option to pursue further study in the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours, receiving full credit towards Year 1 of the bachelors course for the four units of study completed towards the certificate.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries