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) *Full time only, on campus only. Sem 1 - This course starts Thurs Jan 29; formal classes commence the following Monday Feb 2, 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 (International 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 entry requirements
Level D
| IELTS (Academic): 7.0 Overall score, with minimum band scores: Listening 7.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0 | or | Pearson Test of English (Academic): 65 Overall score, with minimum scores: Listening 65, Reading 65, Speaking 65 and Writing 65 | or | TOEFL iBT:
0 - 120 scale: 1 - 6 scale: | or |
Courses that require English Level A only: Other approved English tests (minimum entry scores apply) Courses with English Level B, C, D, E and F: Other approved English tests (higher entry scores apply than specified) |
University entrance requirements
Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.
Extra Requirements
Applicants will be required to undertake a police check, working with children check and provide proof of relevant vaccinations prior to being permitted onto fieldwork placements. A National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening check is required to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements in some settings.
Information regarding the full requirements is available at Mandatory compliance.
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
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.
International fee
Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year. The fees for 2026 are:
A$44,800
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.
Enrolment Obligations
International students enrolling in a CRICOS-registered course can study no more than one third (33%) of their course by distance and/or online learning. Students must enrol in at least one unit that is not by distance and/or online in each compulsory study period unless the student is completing the last unit of their course. See standard 8.19 and 8.20 of National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018.
CRICOS code: 090746A
International course guides
If you are an international student and wish to find out more about our courses, entry requirements, studying at Monash and more, please download our international course guides below.
International Study Grants
