Postgraduate

Master of Social Work

This course prepares beginning social work practitioners for employment in local, State and international human services agencies.

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

Social workers work with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities to create positive outcomes and to empower marginalised or disenfranchised members of society. They promote change at individual, family, community and policy levels.
Social workers work with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities to create positive outcomes and to empower marginalised or disenfranchised members of society. They promote change at individual, family, community and policy levels.

Student Experience with Amy Duggan

Student Experience with Amy Duggan

Career Opportunities

Social work requires a strong commitment to and passion for social justice and human rights. If you think you have what it takes, the employment opportunities in Australia are excellent and the demand for graduates is high, with graduating students quickly finding work in a range of fields.

Careers to consider in addition to the health and welfare sectors:

  • Aged care worker: provide personal, physical and emotional support to older people who need assistance with everyday living
  • Correctional services officer: aid in the rehabilitation and counselling of offenders
  • Domestic violence victim services officer: counsel, investigate and report on incidences of domestic violence
  • Disability services officer: provide support for people in the community with intellectual, physical, social and emotional disabilities
  • Social planner: a pivotal role in creating liveable, sustainable communities; social planners create strategic policy and action that policy in order to meet the needs and wants of the people
  • School based: assisting students individually or in group contexts, psychosocial education and counselling 
Why choose a career in social work?

Animating Social Work

A range of human faces

Further Study

Graduate Certificate in Social Policy Practice, Graduate Diploma in Advanced Social Work, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Graduate Certificate in Social Policy Practice, Graduate Diploma in Advanced Social Work, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
first
Ranked 1st in WA for full-time employment (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020)

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Full-Fee Paying Place $20,100.00

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$35,300.00
2025
$37,200.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility for 2025

To be considered for admission an applicant must have:

  • a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA
  • the equivalent of a UWA Weighted Average Mark of at least 60 per cent, calculated by UWA
  • a current Australian National Police Certificate, or equivalent certification, indicating no criminal convictions. The currency of a National Police Certificate is 12 months.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 per cent;
and
(c) a current Australian National Police Certificate, or equivalent certification, indicating no criminal convictions. The currency of a National Police Certificate is 12 months.

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

English language requirements

The ELC requirement may be satisfied by: 

At least two successful years of full-time or equivalent degree studies undertaken in one of the following countries:

  • Australia
  • New Zealand 
  • United Kingdom 
  • Republic of Ireland 
  • United States of America
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • South Africa, where studies are taught and assessed in English. 

OR

A valid IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in each section.

To be considered for the MSW, ELC must be satisfied by the application closing date.


How to apply

Group of smiling students wearing UWA shirts 

Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

This is for students with any undergraduate degree who would like to pursue a professional qualification in social work.

About the course

The Master of Social Work (coursework or coursework and dissertation) prepares beginning social work practitioners for employment in local, State and international human services agencies.
Master of Social Work

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment for first year students is 2 days per week (Monday and Tuesday) and a field placement in semester 2 (13 weeks full time).
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 11550
CRICOS code
  • 065091K
Master of Social Work
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment for first year students is 2 days per week (Monday and Tuesday) and a field placement in semester 2 (13 weeks full time).
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 11550
CRICOS code
  • 065091K
Full time/part time duration
  • 2 years
Degrees course is available in
  • Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work

Important dates

Intake Periods
  • Semester 1, 2025
Application Open
  • Friday 1 March 2024
Application Close
  • Saturday 30 November 2024

Refer to Admissions Requirements for information on eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Why choose a career in health?

Did you know that Health is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia? Employing 14% of the working population – that’s 1.5 million Australians!

 

With a goal to keep our populations healthy, the demand for healthcare increases, and so does the need for more professionals with a broad skill set, so if you’re looking for an area with good job growth prospects, the healthcare industry is it!

 

Here’s our top 7 reasons to consider joining the health industry.

Hear from UWA Master of Social Work students and academics

Master of Social Work

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Hear from our MSW graduate

Hear from our MSW graduate

Course Accreditation

The Master of Social Work (11550) is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Master of Social Work

Reasons to study Social Work at UWA

  • Social work is in the top 10 fastest growing areas of employment
  • The combination of coursework units and high-quality placements in the field presents you with the opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills and develop a sense of identity as a practitioner
  • Most established Masters course in WA, with Social Work being first taught at UWA in 1965
  • Taught by highly qualified, award-winning staff who are passionate about teaching and learning
  • Social workers promote change at individual, community and policy levels and assist people to create positive outcomes
  • You will be taught using creative case study and evidence-informed methodologies, highlighting contemporary approaches to practice and research


Master of Social Work