Bachelor of Social Work at Victoria University

Overview

Confront social problems and help to improve people’s quality of life.

If you’d like to help others resolve social problems, as well as further human rights, social justice and social development, then VU’s Bachelor of Social Work could be for you.

This course will give you in-depth understanding of:

• interpersonal and group work
• community development
• policy analysis
• social research
• social action.

You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to develop the potential of individuals, groups and communities – and during your course, you’ll put these insights to use across two industry-based placements.

This training and expertise will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in a number of settings from federal and state government or hospitals to non-government or community organisations.

Celebrating cultural diversity

We believe in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity. Studying with us means you’ll be learning in an environment that values community empowerment.

Victoria University received the highest rating of five stars for cultural diversity by the Good Universities Guide. Our students feel fortunate to learn in a setting that has such a rich representation of cultures.

VU also works to address refugee issues, tackle diversity and social inclusion issues and improve the health and social wellbeing of the region. We are proud of our varied cultural and community engagement projects with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities.

You’ll graduate as a professional social worker, equipped with the skills to truly change people’s lives for the better, and you will be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Careers in social work

VU graduates typically find employment within not-for-profit and charitable organisations, as well as the community and government sectors.

Roles include:

• social worker
• community health centre counsellor
• youth worker
• drug and alcohol worker
• homelessness policy officer.

Salaries

Employment for social workers in Australia rose very strongly over the last five years and is expected to continue growing very strongly until at least November 2020 (Job Outlook(external link)). 

The median starting salaries of bachelor degree social work graduates (aged under 25 and in their first full-time employment) is $56,000 (GradStats(external link)).

The average annual earnings of a social worker is $64,948 (Job Outlook(external link)).