Research Pathway Social Work Practicum unit (HGW429)

Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston

Introduction

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 on a full-time basis, although part-time arrangements may be negotiated where available. 

During the practicum, you will apply and extend advanced social work knowledge and skills, including assessment, intervention planning, ethical decision-making, critical analysis, and professional communication. You will design and implement social work methods, interventions, and strategies, and document their development, application, and evaluation. As emerging practitioners, you are expected to demonstrate increasing autonomy, professional judgement, and readiness for entry-level social work practice. 

By the end of the placement, you are required to demonstrate that you meet the standards of professional social work practice and are prepared to transition into the workforce as a newly qualified social worker. 

You are required to attend preparatory seminars in Semester 1 prior to commencing placement, as well as integration workshops during the placement period to support reflective learning and professional development.

Summary

Unit name	Research Pathway Social Work Practicum
Unit code	HGW429
Credit points	37.5
College/School	Health Social Work Program
Discipline	Social Work
Coordinator	Doctor Tina Kostecki
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Honours

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Cradle Coast	14 Week Session Jun
Hobart	14 Week Session Jun
Launceston	14 Week Session Jun

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
14 Week Session Jun	7/6/2026	29/6/2026	26/7/2026	12/9/2026

* 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

• Analyse and apply ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsive social work practice skills, demonstrating sound judgement and accountability in diverse professional settings. (Practice Standards 1, 2, 3, & 4)
• Analyse and apply relevant social work theories to inform assessment, intervention, and decision-making within professional practice contexts. (Practice Standard 5)
• Demonstrate increasing autonomy in selecting, implementing, and evaluating a range of social work tasks, interventions, methods, and techniques appropriate to the professional setting. (Practice Standards 3, 6, & 9)
• Demonstrate and adapt professional attitudes, behaviours, and communication skills—verbal, non-verbal, and written—appropriate to social work practice, particularly in complex or challenging situations. (Practice Standards 1, 4, & 7)
• Critically reflect on your practice within professional supervision, demonstrating insight, self-awareness, and the ability to use feedback to enhance professional capability. (Practice Standard 8)

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
090501	$6,524.00	$3,061.00	$3,576.00	$7,686.00

• 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

HGW302, HGW303, HGW308, HGW312, HGW327

Concurrent Prerequisites

HGW423, HGW426, HGW427, HGW428

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Students undertake at least 14 weeks FTE of placement. Placements are undertaken on a full-time basis. In some circumstances part-time placements may be negotiated, subject to availability. Full-time placements are undertaken over a period of 14 weeks. Students will also be required to attend preparation seminars prior to placement, some of these may occur in Semester 1.
Assessment	Final placement assessment|Mid-placement assessment
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Cleak, H & Wilson J. 2022 , Making the Most of Field Placement, Thomson, Australia.

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