Overview (2027)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 2 years, up to a maximum of 5 years.
Location
CRICOS: 098281J
Duration
Minimum 2 years, up to a maximum of 5 years.
Location
Social Workers strive to improve lives and are committed to combating inequality. They recognise that compassion and support are fundamental to improving social, financial, environmental and cultural wellbeing. Whether they have faced their own challenges or just want to give back, our students are looking for a meaningful and impactful career.
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) prepares students for generalist social work practice, helping them to develop core knowledge, skills and values that can be applied across fields and methods of social work practice.
In this course, you will learn to respond to social justice, human rights and socio-environmental challenges in ways that are culturally responsive, principled, regenerative, and effective. Threaded through the course is a focus on decolonising, Indigenising, sustainability, collaboration, and innovation in social work, ensuring that as a graduate, you are well-equipped for new and diverse roles in changing workplaces. Our courses focus on applied learning opportunities that include community, health, and human services agencies. Over two years, you’ll complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised professional field education placement.
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is an Australian Association of Social Workers 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.
Watch our course information webinar
Thinking of studying this course in 2025 and want to learn more? This webinar explores course structures, career opportunities, and the student experience to support your study journey.
- 1 Initiate improvements to services, policies and professional accountability in social work through the innovative application of critical analysis, research and culturally relevant knowledge.
- 2 Maximise ways of decolonising social work knowledge, frameworks and practices to address inequality and injustice in ways that promote social sustainability policies and goals.
- 3 Construct communication strategies that can respond to the needs and capacities of diverse social work client groups, communities, and organisations.
- 4 Propose leadership approaches for social work that are collaborative, cooperative and useful in micro, meso and macro contexts.
- 5 Develop ethical social work research and practice-based responses to local, national and global social justice and human rights challenges.
- 6 Design practical solutions that can contribute to the decolonising agenda in social work in a sustainable way by using creative, entrepreneurial, and relational approaches.
You will need to complete a minimum of 1000 hours of professional experience placement, equivalent to 2 x 14 weeks full-time. Placements are undertaken on a full-time basis. In some circumstances part-time placements may be negotiated, subject to availability.
The University will organise your placement. Before you begin placement, you will need to complete preparation activities and tasks. You will be allocated a field educator/social worker, with a minimum of 2 years full time equivalent post-graduation experience in the field. Your professional placement experience provides you with the opportunity to learn how to apply social work knowledge and skills into practice.
It is possible in some circumstances for students to complete a placement in their place of work.
Recognition of Prior Learning is possible for the first placement. Students who are given RPL for the first placement are unable to complete the final placement in their place of employment.
See more information and resources at Field Education Placements.
Commonwealth Prac Payment
The Commonwealth Prac Payment offers financial support to students undertaking mandatory placements in eligible courses. Eligible students can access a weekly payment (benchmarked to the single Austudy rate) while they’re undertaking a placement*.
*Terms and conditions apply. For further information about the Commonwealth Prac Payment and eligibility requirements, please visit AskUs.
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is an externally accredited degree.
This course is accredited by Australian Association of Social Workers.
For further accreditation/membership requirements, please visit the Australian Association of Social Workers website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
Career outcomes
Social workers may support people in one-on-one direct counselling, helping families, supporting community awareness through casework, counselling, advocacy, community engagement and development and social action.
Social workers also work in areas such as policy development, education and research particularly around issues of social justice, disadvantage and the marginalisation of people in their communities or in society. The healthcare and social assistance industry is projected to grow 31.8% by 2034.*
*National Skills Commission ten year projections from May 2024-May 2034.
There are many career pathways available for students who complete a degree in Social Work, including:
- child safety practitioner
- social worker
- project manager
- youth worker
- mental health practitioner
- researcher
- policy analyst and advisor
- community development worker
- migrant and refugee settlement workers
- case manager
- drug and alcohol counsellor
- palliative care social worker
- relationships counsellor
- disability advocate.
Course structure
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) requires the completion of 200 credit points comprising:
- 100 credit points of Core units at 500 level
- 100 credit points at 600 level in either a Research Pathway or Professional Pathway
This unit explores what it means to initiate responses to social problems, take responsibility for enacting and leading these responses, and being a part of ventures that do the same. Collaborative and collective social work leadership approaches are taught to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 |  |  |  | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
Off-Campus- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW505 Collaboration, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Social Work
This unit examines how social work theories and knowledge traditions can be brought together to inform professional reasoning in complex and contested practice contexts. You will develop the theoretical component of your professional practice framework: the part you carry into…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
People’s lives are influenced by the policies, laws, services and organisations that inform how social issues are understood and responded to. In this unit, you will examine how social issues are constructed and contested, how different perspectives and interests influence…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW516 Contexts of Social Work Practice
Social Work Practicum 1 is a cornerstone unit in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying). You are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours of placement in an agency setting that enables them to meet the learning outcomes of…
Credit Points: 50
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
| 14 Week Session Sep | | | | ||
| Hobart | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
| 14 Week Session Sep | | | | ||
| Launceston | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
| 14 Week Session Sep | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In Communication and Assessment Skills in Social Work, you will develop and extend culturally responsive, decolonising approaches to professional social work practice skills for working with people. Skills and techniques grounded in relational, strengths-based approaches and social justice principles are…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW527 Communication and Assessment Skills in Social Work
This unit serves as the capstone experience for the Social Work Research Pathway, enabling students to undertake an independent and substantial research projects that builds on their prior study of research methods and design. Under the guidance of academic supervisors,…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Block 4 | | | | |
| Hobart | Block 4 | | | | |
| Launceston | Block 4 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Social workers are required to regularly engage with research by conducting evaluations and using research findings to inform their practice, policy, and advocacy. In this unit, you will be introduced to the role of research and evaluation as a foundational…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW608 Social Work Research and Evaluation
This unit provides an advanced exploration of social work practice in uncertain contexts. Through a range of practice scenarios involving individuals, families, groups and communities, you will examine how social workers draw on and apply knowledge, theory, evidence, legislation and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit is the final placement in the social work degree and serves as a key capstone experience. You will complete a minimum of 500 hours of supervised practice in an agency relevant to social work. Placements are normally undertaken…
Credit Points: 37.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
| Hobart | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
| Launceston | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW629 Research Pathway Social Work Practicum
This unit critically examines violence against women as a pervasive social and structural issue, preparing you to respond effectively across diverse practice settings. You will examine the gendered nature of violence against women and their diversity of experiences including the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW631 Responding to Violence, Abuse and Trauma
Social workers are required to regularly engage with research by conducting evaluations and using research findings to inform their practice, policy, and advocacy. In this unit, you will be introduced to the role of research and evaluation as a foundational…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW608 Social Work Research and Evaluation
This unit provides an advanced exploration of social work practice in uncertain contexts. Through a range of practice scenarios involving individuals, families, groups and communities, you will examine how social workers draw on and apply knowledge, theory, evidence, legislation and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit is the final placement in the social work degree and serves as a key capstone experience. You will complete a minimum of 500 hours of supervised practice in an agency relevant to social work. Placements are normally undertaken…
Credit Points: 50
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
| Hobart | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
| Launceston | 14 Week Session Jun | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW630 Professional Pathway Social Work Practicum
This unit critically examines violence against women as a pervasive social and structural issue, preparing you to respond effectively across diverse practice settings. You will examine the gendered nature of violence against women and their diversity of experiences including the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW631 Responding to Violence, Abuse and Trauma
In this final-year capstone unit, you will be supported to integrate your learning across the program and prepare for your transition into professional practice. Through deep reflection and critical analysis, you will explore the complexities of contemporary social work practice,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW634 Advanced Social Work Knowledge and Practice
Entry requirements
Students with a Bachelor degree in a related field:
The equivalent of an Australian Bachelor Degree in a related field. Relevant study areas include (but are not limited to):
-
Psychology
-
Sociology
-
Criminology
-
Geography
-
Education
-
History
-
Law
-
Health
-
Nursing
-
Disability studies
-
Philosophy
-
Political sciences
-
Indigenous studies
-
Gender studies
The study must include at least one-year of full-time study (or equivalent) combining the social and behavioural sciences and have been completed within the last 10 years. Students with qualifications older than 10 years may complete a pathway into the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) by completing 4 units (50 credit points) from the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours.
Students with a Bachelor degree in a non-related field:
Students with the equivalent of an Australian Bachelor Degree in a non-related field, may complete a pathway into the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) by completing either:
-
8 units (100 credit points) from the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours; or
-
at least one-year of full-time study combining the social and behavioural sciences, in another course, such as Diploma of Arts.
Safety in Practice Compliance
Students need to complete a Safety in Practice Agreement to meet pre-practicum requirements. This includes a National Police Record Check and relevant Working with Vulnerable People Check. See more information and resources at Social Work Field Education Placements.
Students with a Bachelor degree in a related field:
The equivalent of an Australian Bachelor Degree in a related field. Relevant study areas include (but are not limited to):
-
Psychology
-
Sociology
-
Criminology
-
Geography
-
Education
-
History
-
Law
-
Health
-
Nursing
-
Disability studies
-
Philosophy
-
Political sciences
-
Indigenous studies
-
Gender studies
The study must include at least one-year of full-time study in the social and behavioural sciences and have been completed within the last 10 years. Students with qualifications older than 10 years may complete a pathway into the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) by completing 4 units (50 credit points) from the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours.
Students with a Bachelor degree in a non-related field:
Students with the equivalent of an Australian Bachelor Degree in a non-related field, may complete a pathway into the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) by completing either:
-
8 units (100 credit points) from the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours.
-
In addition to holding a completed Bachelor Degree, the Diploma of Arts is accepted.
English Language Requirements
This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 7.0, with no individual band less than 7.0. Equivalent tests are accepted for this course.
Combined test results are accepted for IELTS (Academic), including IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced. Results may be combined from a maximum of two test sittings completed within a six-month period. For IELTS One Skill Retake, the original test and the One Skill Retake are considered the two permitted sittings. The highest valid score achieved in each skill component across the two sittings will be used to determine whether the required English language standard has been met. No component score from either sitting may fall below the minimum score required for that test.
Applicants must meet the applicable English language requirement prior to commencing the Social Work program.
Applicants who have successfully completed a minimum of 24 months of full time (or equivalent) studies undertaken in English at institutions in Australia, UK, US, Singapore, Canada or NZ within the previous 24 months will meet the English language requirements for entry.
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided.
See the English Language Requirements page for more information. Also see the AASW English language requirements for more details.
Safety in Practice Compliance
Students need to complete a Safety in Practice Agreement to meet pre-practicum requirements. This includes a National Police Record Check and relevant Working with Vulnerable People Check. See more information and resources at Social Work Field Education Placements.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $9,536
How is this calculated?
This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.
These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.
HECS-HELP loans
You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.
An important note on Youth Allowance and Austudy
The Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented master’s courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, this is not the case for all master’s courses. Please visit Scholarships, fees and costs for further information.
International students
2027 annual international student tuition fee: $40,950 AUD
The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.
Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 83,948 AUD.
This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Domestic scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
International scholarships
The University of Tasmania offers a range of scholarships for full fee-paying international students, designed to recognise academic merit and support access to university study.
For many of our international scholarships you will be automatically assessed when you submit your International Student Application, meaning no separate scholarship application is required. Some scholarships may require additional application steps. Explore our International Scholarships to learn more about available opportunities and application requirements.
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