Bachelor of Social Work
at Curtin University, Western Australia.
An AASW-accredited four-year social-work degree. Includes 1000 hours of supervised field education and leads to eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Curtin University Bachelor of Social Work. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official TISC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year lays the social-science foundations: introduction to social work, human development across the lifespan, sociology, psychology and the Australian social-policy and welfare context. You start to understand how social, economic and structural factors shape people's lives, and the values and ethics that underpin the profession. Second and third year build practice knowledge: theories and methods of social work, working with individuals, families, groups and communities, mental health, child protection and family violence, and law and policy relevant to practice. You also study working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. The first supervised field-education placement begins, taking you into a real agency. Fourth year focuses on advanced and specialised practice, research methods and a second, longer field placement. Across the degree you complete the 1000 hours of supervised field education required by the AASW. On graduation you are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers and can practise as an accredited social worker.
Example first-year subjects
- Introduction to Social Work
- Human Development and Behaviour
- Foundations of Sociology
- Australian Social Policy and Welfare
- Introduction to Psychology
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
How you will be assessed
- Supervised field-education placement assessments
- Case-study and intervention-planning assignments
- Reflective practice journals from placement
- Essays on theory, policy and ethics
- Role-plays and interviewing skills assessments
- Group projects and presentations
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered social workers in child-protection, mental-health, hospital and family-support settings.
- Common destinations include state-government child-safety roles, community-health centres and not-for-profit support agencies.
- Many alumni progress into clinical specialty practice, policy roles or accredited mental-health social work after further study.
Professional accreditation
- AASW accredited
Typical first jobs
- Child-protection or family-services worker (WA Communities)
- Hospital or health social worker
- Mental-health or community-mental-health worker
- Family-support or domestic-violence caseworker
- Not-for-profit or community-services practitioner
- Youth, disability or aged-care social worker
- Housing, homelessness or drug-and-alcohol support roles
Graduate starting salary
$65,000 - $72,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
The AASW-accredited degree leads directly to eligibility for AASW membership and practice as a social worker across government, health and community sectors. Postgrad options include masters and graduate certificates in areas such as mental health, child protection, family therapy and social policy, and the Accredited Mental Health Social Worker credential after supervised experience. Research Honours, masters and PhD pathways suit those moving into policy, research or academia. Experienced social workers progress into clinical specialty, supervision and management roles.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- People committed to social justice and helping others
- Empathetic communicators who can build trust quickly
- Students resilient enough for emotionally demanding work
- Those willing to spend long blocks on supervised placement
- Reflective learners who examine their own assumptions
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a high-paying or corporate career path
- Those uncomfortable with distressing situations and clients in crisis
- People who dislike placement, reflection and self-examination
- Students seeking a research-only or office-bound role
Related courses at Curtin
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Curtin University handbook and on TISC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/curtin/bachelor-of-social-work.