Social Work - M6012
Professional entry master's degree
Social work is a hands-on, people-focused profession and we apply this approach to our teaching. The Master of Social Work degree is a graduate-entry degree, providing graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional experience required to work as qualified social workers. This course helps students to become work-ready through an internationally acclaimed simulation program featuring professional actors, as well as a diverse range of placement experiences across multiple practice areas. These are delivered in partnership with key industry collaborators and through our own social work clinic.
Please note, we have limited places in this course. Therefore, please submit your application and documentation as soon as possible so that your application can be considered. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and their entire academic record. Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection. Please refer to the following link for further application guidelines.
Study your way
Flexible study options for working professionals
Our course is offered in both on and off campus modes and can be completed either full-time (2 years) or part-time (4 years)
A focus on employability
Start with the foundations of social work - learning to use and develop evidence for practice. You’ll then explore social work in specific settings, like working in trauma, with families and communities.
Choose two electives in specialist topics - such as child protection, alcohol and drugs, and family violence - allowing you to discover different areas of practice and shape your future career pathway.
Complete 1000 hours of supervised professional practice (work-integrated learning). You will be prepared for this experience - to engage, reflect, make decisions and think critically - by taking part in preparatory simulations and experiential workshops.
Work on a social work research project, with one of our expert supervisors.
Why Study Health Sciences at Monash?
Professional recognition
The Master of Social Work is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Following successful completion of this course, you’ll graduate as a qualified social worker and be eligible for membership with the AASW.
Working with our leading industry partners
Our placement could take you to one of Victoria’s major health services, such as Monash Health or Peninsula Health, the Department of Justice and Victorian Child Protection services and non-prot organisations like Big Brother Big Sister, Anglicare, Safe Steps and Turning Point.
HDR and research opportunities
The Monash Master of Social Work is one of few Australian social work masters programs which includes a pathway to higher degree research (HDR), including PhD. The HDR program offers the opportunity to train as a researcher in one of the top research institutions. You’ll be provided with practical research opportunities in the training.
Globally-recognised researchers and social work practitioners
Monash has one of Australia’s most-established departments of social work and is internationally known for our research expertise in areas like child welfare, young people transitioning from out-of-home-care, family violence, mental health and criminal justice. Our dedicated Department of Social Work has a 40-year track record of training social workers and turning research findings into improved policy, services and practice.
At a glance
Course Details
Location |
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| Note: | International students studying in Australia on a student visa may only take this course in on-campus mode. |
Duration |
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Start date |
First Semester (February), Second Semester (June) Sem 1 - This course starts Thurs Jan 29; formal classes commence the following Monday Feb 2, 2026. Sem 2 - Starts on 6 July 2026 |
Qualification |
Master of Social Work |
Career Outcomes
Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in Australia and our graduates go on to work in hospitals and community health, disability, mental health, child, youth and family services, migrant and refugee support, family violence, and alcohol and drug programs.
You may choose to specialise in working with specific populations - such as young people, victims of family violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or LGTBQI communities or those affected by addiction.
If you choose to continue your studies, you’ll have an opportunity to complete a research project as a pathway to a graduate research degree, such as a Doctor of Philosophy.
Master of Social Work
Monash has two intakes per year, February and June. Applications for July 2026 are now open.
New Government Scholarships Available
Victorian Government scholarships are now available for social work students undertaking placements in 2024 and 2025.
Key benefits of studying Masters of Social Work
You’ll start your degree by understanding the foundations of social work, social policy and the Australian setting. Read more about what the key benefits of this course here. Screen reader support enabled.
My social work journey
"A highlight of the course so far has been being able to work face to face with actors to practice counselling skills, which has been fantastic." Clare Forster
Entry Requirements
You need to satisfy the following entrance requirements to be considered for entry to this course.
Minimum Entry Requirements (Domestic students)
Qualifications
An Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) with at least a credit (60%) average and at least one year of full-time studies in the social and behavioural sciences*
OR
A master's program with at least a pass (50%) average which qualifies graduates to register and practice in Allied Health**, Education, Medicine or Nursing.
* Examples of suitable Bachelor degrees that would satisfy this requirement but are not limited to are:
- Education
- Health Science
- Medicine
- Medical Radiation Science
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Paramedicine
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Arts or Social Science degrees with a major in: Anthropology, Community development, Counselling, Criminology, Economics: with a health or social focus, Geography with a human/social focus, Indigenous studies, International relations, Philosophy, Political science, Psychological sciences, Psychology, Sociology.
** Allied health includes: optometry, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, radiography/medical imaging, radiation therapy, medical ultrasound, paramedicine, dietetics, chiropractic, osteopathy, psychology, podiatry
English requirements
Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.
University entrance requirements
Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.
Extra Requirements
Mandatory Compliance
If you are undertaking a course with clinical or fieldwork placements you must demonstrate compliance with the following checks and requirements. For more information refer to the Mandatory Compliance webpage and carefully read the Clinical/Fieldwork Placement Handbook. It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation is obtained prior to commencing clinical/fieldwork placements.
- National Police Check
- Working With Children Check
- A current NDIS Worker Screening check is required to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements in some settings
- Immunisation and vaccination requirements
In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, this course requires that you comply with the faculty's Mandatory Compliance requirements regarding immunisation and vaccination.
These requirements are designed to provide maximum protection against the increased risk of some vaccine preventable diseases for students, patients and workers in health care settings.
Fitness for practice and professionalism
To complete your course, you are required to demonstrate that you meet fitness for practice expectations.
Professional focussed tutorials, practical and simulation classes.
Inherent requirements
To complete your degree, you will need to demonstrate that you have the abilities, knowledge, and skills to achieve specific core learning outcomes, these are called inherent requirements.
Find out more about inherent requirements for this course.
Making the application
Future students
Please refer to the following link for further application guidelines.
Note: Please make sure you read the extra requirements before you apply.
This course starts Thurs Jan 30; formal classes commence the following Monday Feb 3.
Semester one (February)
Apply directly to Monash using course code M6012
Semester two (June)
Note: The Semester 2 option commences in June.
Apply directly to Monash using course code M6012
Self assess for credit eligibility
Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page.
Fees
Fees are subject to change annually.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
The average annual student contribution amount for 2026 is:
A$9537
Note: see information on how fees are calculated.
Fee assistance
As a Commonwealth supported student, you may be able to either:
- pay all of your student contribution upfront, or
- defer payment through the HECS HELP loan scheme.
Full fee
Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year. The fees for 2026 are:
A$30,700
As a full fee-paying student, you may be eligible to apply for the optional FEE-HELP to assist you to pay all or part of your tuition fees.
Fee information specific to this course
Domestic students in this course may apply for Austudy payments fromCentrelink / the Department of Human Services. See the Austudy site for details. Additional eligibility criteria apply.
The CSP rates published in this guide are indicative and can vary depending on unit enrolment.
Scholarships
We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.
Other costs and fees
For information on other study costs and fees, see other study costs.