Social Work - M6012
Professional entry master's degree
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 is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and includes 1000 hours of supervised placement over two years.
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.
As we transition to a COVID-normal, we need social workers more than ever. Our Master of Social Work in Australia or online prepares you as a work-ready, qualified social worker in two years, and gives you the skills and practical experience to drive change, advocate for individuals, families and communities.
Social work is a hands-on, people-focused profession and we apply this approach to our teaching. As a postgraduate social work student, you’ll start thinking like a social worker from day one of your degree with an early focus on developing the essential skills, such as interviewing, counselling and collaborative decision-making.
In our course, you learn by doing - whether that’s practising your assessment skills with actors or applying your knowledge to a case study in an interactive workshop. You’ll also gain professional experience by completing two 500-hour supervised placements, working with real clients at one of our partner organisations.
Why study a Social Work course at Monash?
Your studies 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. You also have the opportunity to choose 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.
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.
Social Work Career opportunities
With a Monash degree in social work, you will be ready to practice in a range of settings, and work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Social workers are in-demand and it’s a career with strong projected employment growth.
Our course prepares you for the diverse career opportunities in social work. You can work in hospitals, mental health programs, government departments, community, human service and non-profit organisations. 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. You can also choose to drive change on a large-scale, with roles in policy or research.
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) *Full time only, on campus only. Sem 1 - This course starts Thurs Jan 30; formal classes commence the following Monday Feb 3 Sem 2 - Starts in June |
Qualification |
Master of Social Work |
Master of Social Work
Monash has two intakes per year, February and June. Applications for July 2025 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
Current Monash students
You may apply to transfer from another Monash course. Transfers are a competitive process. You may apply mid-year for available courses however consideration will be given as to whether you will be able to follow your course progression.
Please note that if you apply for a course transfer, you should still enrol in your current course as if you were continuing so as not to jeopardise your enrolment in the Faculty if your transfer application is unsuccessful. More about Course Transfer...
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 2025 is:
A$9,314
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 2025 are:
A$29,300
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.