Bachelor of Social Work
at Western Sydney University, New South Wales.
A four-year (eight years part-time) social work degree at Liverpool City and Parramatta, accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers. It includes two supervised field placements totalling 1,000 hours in third and fourth years. No prerequisites.
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 WSU 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 | 80.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 85.60 | 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
The degree is a professional social work qualification: the first years build knowledge of society, human behaviour, policy and social work theory, and the later years concentrate on social work practice. Third and fourth years centre on two field placements, supervised by experienced social workers, that total 1,000 hours. Applicants should check the inherent requirements and placement checks on the official course page.
Placement and industry experience
Students complete two field placements supervised by experienced social workers, totalling 1,000 hours, in third and fourth years. Placements include project development with community organisations and direct practice in NGOs and government agencies, and in some cases international settings.
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
- 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 degree is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), so graduates are eligible for AASW membership and work as social workers in child protection, health, mental health, family support and community services. Later options include accredited mental health social worker status and postgraduate study.
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
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Social Work as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at WSU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Western Sydney University website and on UAC before applying.