Community and Social Work Fields of Practice unit (HGW112)

Online

Introduction

In this unit, you will be introduced to the diverse fields in which community and social work practice takes place. This unit aims to extend common understandings of community and social work practice by showcasing new and innovative approaches to practice at micro, meso, and macro levels. Using a critical perspective, you will explore each field of practice (group or community) and the context in which it is situated. You will also learn how workers can contribute to decolonising and Indigenising agendas within different organisational settings. As an emerging community worker or social worker, this unit encourages you to situate yourself within the sector as you begin to develop your professional identity. If you are someone interested in pursuing a career in social work or learning about what social workers do, this unit offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and firsthand experience of the work.  

Summary

Unit name	Community and Social Work Fields of Practice
Unit code	HGW112
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health Social Work Program
Discipline	Social Work
Coordinator	Doctor Bethany Wilkinson
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 2

Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Explore community and social work with particular groups and communities and the services within which this work takes place.
• Describe the diversity of ways of working as a practitioner
• Identify and analyse values and beliefs that underpin decolonising and Indigenising agendas in community and social work practice
• Communicate the foundations of a professional identity

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
061309	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$2,919.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

HGW111 or HGW101

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

HGW102

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Independent Learning: 60 minutes of online learning activities that are completed asynchronously and 60 minutes of prescribed reading.  For online students, you can choose to either study the unit synchronously, or asynchronously. For online students studying synchronously, and for all on-campus students, students are required to attend weekly Zoom tutorials.
Assessment	Video Presentation (20%)|Reflection (40%)|Research a community service (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required Readings are those provided by your Unit Coordinator
Recommended	Recommended Readings are those provided by your Unit Coordinator

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.