- 2 years (or part-time equivalent)
- Ipswich
- Feb, May
- View dates
- AUD 28,320
- (Indicative annual fee)
Overview
- Become a social worker in just two years (if studying full-time) and begin your career as a change agent in society with UniSQ’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying). Whether you’re building on existing skills or embarking on a new career path, you’ll graduate equipped to enter an in-demand profession and support people experiencing emotional, social, and economic challenges.
- Develop effective communication, creative thinking, and solution-based skills and get 1000 hours of hands-on experience during field placements to prepare you for professional practice. Graduates can work clinically with individuals and families or in counselling, advocacy, community engagement, disability services, social action, and international development.
- Be ready to practice as a critical ally with marginalised people and communities, and foster cultural safety, be culturally responsive and be able to work alongside First Nations peoples.
- Choose either a professional or research pathway in your final year to tailor the degree to your desired career path.
- The professional pathway is unique to the UniSQ MSW(Q) degree and allows you to select between bespoke social work elective courses to gain deeper knowledge of particular areas of interest.
- The research pathway advances your research capability and involves an independent research project that produces a thesis and the possibility of undertaking a PhD in the future.
Made all the difference
My experiences at UniSQ made all the difference in the world to who I am today and provided the foundation for being a stronger and more resilient human being.
Sally - Health
Career outcomes
As a graduate, you’ll have the skills to deliver social work services across diverse fields of practice, including disability, health, research, non-for-profit organisations, child, youth and family wellbeing, education, community services and criminal justice.
You’ll be prepared to step into leadership roles and positioned to work towards societal change through policy advocacy. Job roles may include:
- clinical social worker or medical social worker
- child welfare specialist
- community centre director or manager
- substance abuse counsellor
- public policy advisor.
Professional accreditation
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). UniSQ graduates will be eligible for membership with AASW.
What you'll study
To graduate from the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), you must successfully complete 16 units of study.
Degree structure
A postgraduate university degree typically comprises of advanced coursework and research opportunities, allowing you to deepen your expertise in a specific field while building upon foundational knowledge.
Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previous studies or relevant work experience. This could reduce the number of courses you need to study to complete your degree.
Degree requirements
You’ll undertake 1000 hours of field education (placements) in this degree supervised by experienced social workers.
Other study options
If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the PhD to gain further research experience (if you meet all the entry requirements).
Entry requirements
There are many ways to be considered for entry into a UniSQ degree based on your education, work experience and relevant personal attributes. You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this postgraduate degree.
- Completion of an Australian university three-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum of 12 months of Social Science subjects.
- Participate in an interview with a panel of UniSQ Social Work and Human Services staff.
You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires:
- IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.
During your study
While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet these requirements throughout your studies.
All students will need to comply with UniSQ's Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Compliance requirements and provide the following prior to starting any placement courses:
- Blue Card or Working with Children Check
- Criminal History Check (Australian Police Certificate)
- UniSQ Mandatory Compliance form
- Evidence of required vaccinations.
Entry pathways
There is more than one way to get into university, and if you're not sure about your entry options get in touch to discuss.
Fees and scholarships
- This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (8 units per year) and does not include cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee.
- This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
- We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
- Further details are available on the Fees website.
Additional costs
You may be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as part of your degree cost.
Placement courses may incur some additional costs, including uniform and equipment, transport to and from venues and, in some instances, living expenses, particularly for placements in rural and remote settings
Payment options
You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP.
You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Services Australia.
UniSQ Scholarships
We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!
Find out moreHow to apply
Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.
ApplyYou can select to start your study in Trimester 1 or 2.
| Study period | Application closing date | Orientation | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1, 2025 | Monday 10 February | Monday 3 February | Monday 10 February |
| Trimester 2, 2025 | Monday 26 May | Monday 19 May | Monday 26 May |
| Trimester 1, 2026 | Monday 16 February | Monday 9 February | Monday 16 February |
More information on application key dates is available.
Preparing to apply
You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:
The entry requirements for your degree will provide you with details regarding the documentation to provide. These may include:
- interviews and selection criteria
- CV/resume or LinkedIn profile
- referee reports.
After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. You will be notified via email the outcome of your application within 10 business days.
Follow the link in your email from UniSQ or log in to the application portal to accept your offer.
Find out more
Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.
Available 5 days a week
Chat now
Freecall
1800 269 500
Email us at study@unisq.edu.au
Frequently asked questions
There are many reasons why you should get started in a Master of Social Work Qualifying at UniSQ.
- Become a fully qualified social worker in just two years.
- Tailor your degree by choosing from a professional or research pathway in your final year.
- A Master’s degree in Social Work will expand your knowledge and transferrable skills by developing effective communication, creative thinking and solution-based capabilities.
- Continue to enhance your social work knowledge and use your Master of Social Work (Qualifying) as a stepping-stone into a PhD.
The duration of a Masters of Social Work Qualifying or Master of Social Work degree in Australia may vary depending on the education provider you choose.
At UniSQ, a Master of Social Work Qualifying will take you approximately two years to complete. Some students choose to study part-time which increases the time it takes to finish the required courses to finish your Masters of Social Work degree.
Employment opportunities for social workers who hold a Masters of Social Work qualification can enjoy a variety of careers in different settings, including:
- disability
- health
- research
- child, youth and family wellbeing
- education
- community service
- criminal justice.
When you graduate with a Social Work and Human Services degree from UniSQ you will gain a strong foundation in theoretical concepts, as well as the practical skills required to become an ethical advocate for individual, families, groups and communities.
Yes! You can choose to study our Master of Social Work Qualifying full-time or part-time. Adjust your subject enrolment to meet your needs. Take one subject at a time or take extra subjects when life allows it – the choice is yours!
Discover more about the different ways to study at UniSQ.
