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Bachelor of Social Work (Online)
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.
Apply via SATAC
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: |
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Second year A typical second year may include: |
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Third year A typical third year may include: |
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Fourth year A typical fourth year may include: |
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. |
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.
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.
ATAR and Student Profile Information
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 |
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
Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.
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.
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.
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.
Obtain certified documents.
Submit your application and documents.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
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CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
Last Updated: 10 Oct 2025