Bachelor of Social Work
at Charles Sturt University, New South Wales.
A four-year social work degree at Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga and online, accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers, with 1,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. No prerequisites; Society and Culture and English are recommended.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the CSU Bachelor of Social Work for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 65.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 65.10 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 65.20 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Study areas include child and family practice, ethics, human rights, Indigenous Australian practice, law, mental health, rural policy and practice, social inequality, social work theory and practice methods, and sustainability. Students complete 1,000 hours of supervised fieldwork in approved agencies.
Placement and industry experience
Students complete 1,000 hours of supervised fieldwork in approved agencies, often in regional and rural communities.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as social workers in hospitals, child protection, mental health, family support and community services.
- Many graduates work in regional and rural NSW communities.
- Many progress into specialist practice, policy or management roles.
Professional accreditation
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Typical first jobs
- Social worker at NSW Department of Communities and Justice (child protection, OOHC)
- Hospital social worker in NSW Health (acute, oncology, palliative care, mental health)
- Family and domestic-violence caseworker at NGOs
- Mental health social worker in community and inpatient settings
- School-based social worker (under NSW Education)
- Aboriginal community-controlled organisation caseworker
Graduate starting salary
$70,000 - $80,000 per year
Source: jobsandskills.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
The course is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers, so graduates are eligible for AASW membership and work in health, child protection, mental health and community services, especially in regional areas.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with high emotional resilience and people skills
- Those willing to engage with violence, child protection and trauma material
- People comfortable with reflective writing and supervision
- Students happy to do 1000 hours of unpaid placement
- Those committed to a regulated, values-driven profession
It is probably not for you if
- Students who avoid emotional content and difficult conversations
- Those unwilling to take unpaid full-time placement blocks
- Anyone hoping to maximise starting salary out of undergraduate study
Related courses at CSU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Charles Sturt University website and on UAC before applying.