Study Social Work.
Jawaher Masawa, Bachelor of Social Work
A life changing career
Social Work is the career for those who want to change the world for the better, because they will never accept injustice.
Nationally and globally, we struggle with issues of child protection, domestic and family violence, housing and homelessness, racial inequalities and many other social problems. Issues of social inequality have become daily headlines, and we need skilled graduates to work towards social change. Our graduates have an effect so strong it can change a life, a community, a society.
Get ready to join the next generation of
social work professionals.
Study at our new city campus in 2024.
Flinders at Festival Plaza – Where potential meets possibility.
Study at our new city campus in 2024.
Flinders at Festival Plaza – Where potential meets possibility.
No.1 in SA
in Social Work for full-time employment and overall educational experience.
(The Good Universities Guide 2023 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)
No.1 in SA
in Social Work for median salary and learner engagement.
(The Good Universities Guide 2023 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)
YOU
DECIDE
YOUR
TOMORROW
YOU DECIDE
YOUR TOMORROW
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A career driven by passion
Flinders Social Work provides career-ready skills and knowledge to those people who are driven to create a society that is fair, supportive, and inclusive. We are South Australia's No.1 for full-time employment and median salary,* in a field with over 40,000 workers (nationally) and very strong job growth projected through to 2026.**
Social Work careers are not for the faint-hearted, but they are incredibly important and in high-demand. Social Work graduates work in government departments, hospitals, health and community centres, welfare agencies and many other organisations across the world.
Social Work graduates make a difference, and Flinders Social Work degrees provide hands-on study and real-world placements to ensure our graduates are prepared for a challenging, rewarding career. Our overall quality of educational experience is rated No.1 in South Australia.***
*No. 1 in SA in Social Work for full-time employment and median salary . The Good Universities Guide 2021 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only ** Social Work is projected to have very strong employment growth through to 2026 National Skills Commission 2021 ***No. 1 in SA in Social Work for overall quality of educational experience . The Good Universities Guide 2020 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only.
Potential occupations:
- Social worker - work directly with individuals and families
- Community development practitioner
- Policy officer
- Project officer
- Program coordinator
- Researcher – undertake research that directly affects individuals and communities
- Advocate
- Activist
Employers:
- Government, non-profit organisations and private organisations in the areas of:
- Child protection
- Health and mental health
- Domestic violence
- Homelessness
- Families and Youth
- Corrections
- Ageing
- Disability
- Drug and alcohol
- Rural and remote
Research to change the world
Flinders' Social Work research is world-standard#, and 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.
SWIRLS' 'Living Lab' approach brings together skilled researchers, policy makers, social work practitioners and related professions to collaborate, innovate and co-design answers to complex social problems.
#Excellence in Research for Australia 2018
Working towards a better society
With world-standard research, ever-deepening partnerships with major industry stakeholders, highly skilled teachers with practical social work experience and an embedded passion to solving the problems of social injustice, Flinders Social Work is determined to help the troublemakers change the world and work towards a more inclusive, fairer society.
Get qualified as a social worker
An undergraduate degree qualifies you to work as a social worker in a wide range of health and social welfare services.
Graduate prepared for a truly rewarding career with our professionally accredited degree. You’ll have a real impact on the community and will have the opportunity to address complex social issues like domestic violence, abuse, poverty and disability.
Gain practical work experience while you study
Undertake intensive work placements that help integrate social work theory into your practice.
You will engage with the community intelligently by recognising wider social, cultural, economic and environmental contexts. Our highly experienced team of teachers and mentors will guide you through the field education program. When you graduate, you’ll have the skills to step into a career.
Expand your knowledge with varied topics
Incorporating knowledge from a range of disciplines, including psychology, sociology and social policy, you will focus on the interaction between people and their environments.
Our Social Work degrees equip you with the practical skills and knowledge you need to work in a wide range of health and social welfare settings. Take one step further by expanding your knowledge with exciting and varied electives or additional study.
“
Flinders University Social Work course offers all the academic and professional tools needed for students to achieve their goals. The environment of the campus and learning areas are very encouraging. With supportive and helpful teaching staff, and endless opportunities, studying Social Work at Flinders will help you to achieve your goals and help improve people’s lives"
Danielle Hanson, Bachelor of Social Work
Danielle Hanson’s decision to undertake a Bachelor of Social Work at Flinders University was born of a deep interest in people, and a desire to help them when life gets hard.
“Compassion and a general interest in people are two elements which made me gravitate towards this course; the practicality of the course and all the areas one can work in after graduation also appealed to me”.
Danielle is not alone. Social work contributes to a more just society, and many students are keen to see how they can help make their mark in this rewarding field. Flinders’ Bachelor of Social Work can take your passion and combine it with work ready skills to prepare you for a range of career options.
“My desired goal is to be in a job where I can utilise my degree and all the tools I learnt at university to my full potential, in a work environment that's challenging and rewarding”.
Your path could lead you towards becoming a social worker, advocate, drug and alcohol counsellor, assessment officer or child protection practitioner. Flinders’ teachers and mentors are highly experienced, and the course offers intensive work placements.
“Flinders University Social Work course offers all the academic and professional tools needed for students to achieve their goals. The environment of the campus and learning areas are very encouraging. With supportive and helpful teaching staff, and endless opportunities, studying Social Work at Flinders will help you to achieve your goals and help improve people’s lives”.
Study a Master of Social Work
If you already have an undergraduate degree, our Master of Social Work will allow you to enter the profession and become a qualified social worker, building on your first degree.
A Flinders’ Master of Social Work opens the door to a meaningful career in a diverse, multiskilled profession. This professionally accredited degree will enable you to have a career as an advocate for a more just society. You can promote awareness of the injustices in today’s society, and by working with policies, people, families, communities, and systems, make a positive change.
Fast facts
- achieve your career goals through applied degrees with strong industry links
- gain practical work experience while you study
- immerse yourself in our professionally accredited degrees
Projected employment growth 2021 to 2026
⬆︎
23.2%
Social Workers
(National Skills Commission, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026).
EXPLORE
OTHER CAREERS
IN HEALTH
I decided to study a Master of Social Work at Flinders because I believe that everyone in the society, irrespective of our differences in race, religious /cultural belief, age, ability, gender, sexuality or social economical class, all deserve a fair go in achieving their life goals. My degree has prepared me to be a voice to the voiceless, oppressed and vulnerable persons in society. And to practice in a way that promotes their empowerment, strength, rights, safety and wellbeing.
In Flinders Master of Social Work, students come from diverse backgrounds and professions, it really enriches the discussions we have in classrooms and tutorials because everyone contributes from their own unique perspective. Our lecturers have both academic and professional backgrounds and therefore can teach from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Flinders campus has beautiful trees and nature and overlooks the sea which enables us to enjoy sunset. Flinders has the complete package from beautiful campus to quality education.
I have always had a keen interest in social issues and social justice, and this course provided the opportunity to develop my skills and learning in these areas. I have had a very positive learning experience at Flinders University. I have developed my academic skills, gained a vast array of employability skills and broadened my critical thinking skills in both the area of study (social work) but also as a global citizen. I left with confidence in my knowledge and skills as a young social worker and have grown as a person from the University experience. I'm now working full-time as a social worker. I'd say to anyone, if you want an environment that inspires and supports your learning experience in a supported and welcoming community, then Flinders University is the place for you.
My social work degree has prepared me for my career in several ways and equipped me with numerous theories and tools that I can incorporate into my future practise when working with clients. I completed my first placement with Aged Care and Housing (ACH) where I had the privilege of working within a multi-disciplinary team with some extremely passionate, inspiring, hard working professionals. Working in their team allowed me to understand my role as a social worker and consequently, assisted me in developing my own social work identity.
Studying social work at Flinders has enabled me to fully acknowledge my personal strengths and facilitated my strong desire to help, support and empower people in a meaningful way. The placement experience and learning opportunities within the degree will focus your strengths and skills, increasing your confidence and enabling you to become an advocate for human rights and equality for all.
Social Work FAQs
Social work is a career that makes a positive impact on society. Your career could see you working in child protection or with older people. You could become a disability advocate or a drug and alcohol counsellor. You will enhance the wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities and address inequality and injustice.
You can study a Bachelor of Social Work if you haven’t studied at university before or Master of Social Work if you have a previous university degree with social science qualifications.
At Flinders we offer a variety of Social Work courses at postgraduate level; you can study a Master of Social Work or a Graduate Certificate in Loss, Grief and Trauma Counselling or a Graduate Certificate in Counselling Vulnerable Children and Young People.
Yes, you can study the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work online.
Social work jobs in Adelaide include:
Government, not for profit and private organisations working in child protection, homelessness, domestic violence, mental health and wellbeing. You could work in policy development or research or within community centres or hospitals.
Yes, if you have studied at TAFE (or another RTO) you may be eligible for credit. Related areas include:
- TAFESA Social Work
- Diploma of Community Services
- Diploma of Community Services (Case Management)
- Diploma of Mental Health
- Diploma of Youth Work
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