Delivery Mode: On Campus (Blended)
Accreditation:
Units: 26
Course Duration: 4 Year full-time*
Equivalent part-time
CRICOS Course Code: 108842E
The Bachelor of Social Work emphasizes the wellbeing and building of relationships with individuals, families, and communities and linking the local with the global. The Bachelor of Social Work explores social care, health and wellness programs and initiatives that seek to locate and create systems and relationships that are preventative and educative in nature.
Graduates of the BSW will be able to influence local, national, and global social policy impacting all peoples and communities. The IHM Bachelor of Social Work offers significant interaction between students, their peers, social work academics, and social work/human services agencies that will provide the knowledge, skills and professional relationship building required to produce the quality and practice-ready graduates that are required by the social work profession.
IHM’s Bachelor of Social Work has 1,000 field education hours embedded in the course
This is an AASW-accredited qualification. It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.
The accreditation ascribed to the IHM Bachelor of Social Work Program of Provisional Accreditation (2022-2025) means that it is a new program which has not yet delivered its first graduates. Provisional accreditation does not impact graduates of the BSW course with this status. Graduates have the same eligibility and standing as graduates in fully accredited social work programs.
The learning outcomes of the BSW course are founded on the AASW principles of human dignity and worth, social justice and fairness, and social workers working with and on behalf of individuals, families, groups, and communities to:
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is designed to sequence and stage learning across core units through major streams, providing a scaffolding approach to knowledge and skill development as well as increasing complexity in assessments and professional reflection. The design of the BSW is influenced by the course objectives, graduate qualities, and application of knowledge and abilities, all of which lead to field education placements and professional results and accreditation for individual students.
The curriculum framework includes major streams embedded across the program including:
The accreditation ascribed to the IHM Bachelor of Social Work Program of Provisional Accreditation (2022-2025) means that it is a new program which has not yet delivered its first graduates. Provisional accreditation does not impact graduates of the BSW course with this status. Graduates have the same eligibility and standing as graduates in fully accredited social work programs.
*International students are not permitted to complete more than one-third of their subjects online.
The BSW program requires four years of full-time study.
Yes, it is accredited by the AASW for all graduates from 2022; see AASW accreditation web page Accrediated Courses
The AASW is the Australian Association of Social Workers. It is the professional association responsible for accrediting all social work courses in Australia and providing professional development, registration, and other resources.Yes, all graduates can apply for membership in the AASW.
No prerequisite experience is required, but students must have passed Year 12, Certificate 4, or equivalent.
The program has two intakes per year, beginning in March and July. The first intake will take place in July 2022.
Credit transfers are determined based on each student’s previous studies from a relevant Bachelor’s degree (social sciences). The BSW Course Coordinator can assist you with any credit-related queries.
If you possess a three-year BSW from another country, you may apply for credit for Years 1 and 2 of the IHM BSW (16 Units) and then complete Years 3 and 4. To discuss this possibility, contact the BSW Course Coordinator.
Students will be required to purchase some textbooks or e-books; these cost about $450 per year. Students complete two professional practice placements in the course and will also be required to pay for and complete pre-placement police and other safety checks, and will need to have their immunisation status updated to attend a health placement. Students will need to pay for travel costs associated with attending placements during the course.
Yes, there are two social work field placements, one in Year 3 of the BSW for 500 hours (15-20 weeks) and a final placement in Year 4 of 500 hours (15-20 weeks)
The IHM Bachelor of Social Work educates social workers in generalist social work practices (casework, support work, crisis interventions), mental health work, international human rights, community development, and societal change and social research.
Standard entry requirements for the BSW include Year 12 completion or Certificate IV completion or equivalent, studied in English, work and/or volunteer experience in human services will be considered alongside education requirements.
English Language Proficiency Entry Requirements has to be met by the student
Pathway entry with credits for Australian bachelor’s degree in Community Work, Youth Work, Human Services, or other Bachelor degrees.
Completion of an Australian VET Diploma in Community Services or Youth Work or Mental Health or completion of an Overseas BSW (verified) gives upto 8-unit credits across Year 1 / Year 2 of the BSW.
Unit credits from Australian bachelor programs can give up to 12 unit credits.
The accreditation ascribed to the IHM Bachelor of Social Work Program is provisional accreditation which is traditionally assigned to a new program which has not yet delivered its first graduates. Provisional and Conditional accreditation does not impact graduates of a course with this status. Graduates have the same eligibility and standing as graduates of fully accredited programs.
The accreditation ascribed to the IHM Bachelor of Social Work Program of Provisional Accreditation (2022-2025) means that it is a new program which has not yet delivered its first graduates. Provisional accreditation does not impact graduates of the BSW course with this status. Graduates have the same eligibility and standing as graduates in fully accredited social work programs.
English Language Proficiency Entry Requirements has to be met by the student
English Language Proficiency Entry RequirementsInherent requirements are the essential components of a program or course that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge, and skills necessary to achieve the program or course’s core learning outcomes while maintaining the academic integrity of IHM’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes. The inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge, and skills required to progress and graduate from the social work program and must be met by all students enrolled in it.
Inherent requirements statement for social work is based on Australian Association of Social Workers ASWEAS accreditation and graduate attributes, is available for potential and current students to review when considering their suitability to study in the course, and informs student admission and progression. The following inherent requirements apply for social work:
Social Work is a profession accredited by Australian Association of Social Workers governed by practice standards, codes of ethics, professional conduct and professional boundaries where social work students are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must ensure the standards, codes, guidelines and policies are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer.
Examples of ethical and professional behaviour
Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in the social work role.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must ensure the standards, codes, guidelines and policies are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHMs Student Equity Officer.
Examples of behavioural stability
Social work is mandated by legislation and professional regulations to enable the delivery of safe and appropriate professional practice.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer.
Examples of legal knowledge and compliance:
Verbal:
Effective verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe delivery of support.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure safety and appropriate support. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer.
Examples of verbal communication
Non-verbal:
Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to social work and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic, honest and non-judgmental.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of or appropriate response to effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer.
Examples of non-verbal communication
Written:
Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental social work responsibility with professional and legal ramifications.
The student will need to
Justification of inherent requirement:
Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic and clinical settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer.
Examples of written communications
Cognition: Knowledge and cognitive skills
Consistent relevant knowledge and effective cognitive skills must be demonstrated to provide professional and competent social work practice.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer.
Examples of knowledge and cognitive skills
Cognition: Language (Literacy)
Competent literacy skills are essential to provide safe and effective professional support
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must demonstrate a capability to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer.
Examples of language/literacy skills
Cognition: Numeracy
Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for effective social work practice.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must demonstrate a capability to interpret and apply concepts and processes appropriately in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer.
Examples of numeracy:
Effective relational skills are required in social work practice to make and maintain strong relationships with a range of individuals, groups and communities, professional colleagues, and organisations.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must ensure that student is able to demonstrate an acceptable level of effective relational skills. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer
Examples of relational skills
Social work practice requires self-awareness and a capacity for reflectivity in order to consider the effect of one’s own issues, actions, values and behaviours on practice.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must ensure that student is able to meet reflective skills requirement and demonstrate an acceptable Minimum level of capacity for reflective skills. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer
Examples of reflective skills:
Social work training and practice requires both physical and mental stamina at a consistent and sustained level.
The student will need to:
Justification of inherent requirement
Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with IHM’s Student Equity Officer
Examples of sustainable performance:
After completing the course, you can explore your career in the fields of:
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Course Intake | Course Start Date | Course End Date | Census Date | Orientation Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
November 2024 | 04-11-2024 | 03-11-2028 | 02-12-2024 | 04-11-2024 |
December 2024 | 16-12-2024 | 15-12-2028 | 13-01-2025 | 16-12-2024 |
February 2025 | 03-02-2025 | 09-02-2029 | 03-03-2025 | 03-02-2025 |
May 2025 | 05-05-2025 | 11-05-2029 | 05-06-2025 | 05-05-2025 |
August 2025 | 04-08-2025 | 10-08-2029 | 04-09-2025 | 04-08-2025 |
November 2025 | 03-11-2025 | 09-11-2029 | 04-12-2025 | 03-11-2025 |
February 2026 | 02-02-2026 | 01-02-2030 | 20-02-2026 | 02-02-2026 |
May 2026 | 04-05-2026 | 03-05-2030 | 25-05-2026 | 04-05-2026 |
July 2026 | 06-07-2026 | 01-07-2030 | 27-07-2026 | 06-07-2026 |
August 2026 | 03-08-2026 | 02-08-2030 | 31-08-2026 | 03-08-2026 |
Annual Fee : | AUD $20,000 |
Total Tuition Fee : | AUD $80,000 |
Administration* (Non-Tuition) Fee : **Only applicable to international students. |
**AUD $250.00 (Non Refundable) |
Fees are subject to change annually.
Pay upfront and Save 10%.
Applicable for International (1 year fee) and full-fee students. Not applicable for funding students.
Payment plans for the Bachelor of Social Work course are available.
i. Semester 1 fees paid on enrolment = AUD 10,250
ii. Semester 2 fees paid prior to the end of semester 1
iii. Semester 3 fees paid prior to the end of semester 2
iv. Semester 4 fees paid prior to the end of semester 3
The payment process for a particular course will continue until the 8th semester of the program.
*Books, equipment, and other materials are required to undertake the program and their cost is not included in the tuition fee.
*The Bachelor of Social Work course is accredited by AASW.
We would like to inform you about a recent surge in cyber scams. Your security is of utmost importance to us, and we want to ensure that you stay safe from potential threats.
Scammers have been employing sophisticated tactics to deceive individuals and steal sensitive information. It’s essential to be vigilant and cautious when dealing with online communications and transactions.
For IHM’s students, it’s good to know that IHM’s bank account details are not shared through email. Instead, the information is accessible through the secure Student Hub under Student Invoice & Payment. This method ensures that only authorised users with secure login credentials can access and view the information.
Additionally, making payments through the IHM website provides another secure option for transactions, ensuring that personal and financial details are handled in a safe and protected environment.
For any questions or concerns related to payments or account details, students should reach out to IHM directly through official contact channels (ihmaccounts@ihm.edu.au) to ensure the highest level of security and privacy.
FEE-HELP is an Australian government loan program designed to assist eligible fee-paying students in paying their tuition fees for higher education courses at approved institutions. It operates similarly to the HECS-HELP scheme but applies to students undertaking fee-paying undergraduate, postgraduate, or vocational education and training (VET) courses at approved providers.
Through FEE-HELP, eligible students can borrow funds from the government to cover all or part of their tuition fees, and they repay the loan through the taxation system once their income reaches a certain threshold. This system aims to make tertiary education more accessible to students by allowing them to defer their upfront tuition costs until they are earning a sufficient income.
Our partnerships are built through positive, transparent, and engaging collaboration, and we’re grateful for the strong relationships we’ve built over the lifetime of IHM. These partnerships may vary in their nature, but they all share the common fact that there’s mutual benefit and a strong sense of purpose to move the social work human services and healthcare industry forward.
We are keen to connect with industry partners regarding social work placements and joint projects of interest that benefit the learning experience for social work students at IHM. Partners may provide opportunities for students to engage in volunteering, paid work, professional practice placement, and apply for graduate employment roles upon qualifying. We also provide opportunities to upskill staff with the latest course.
We encourage NGO human service organisations, local, state and federal government departments, allied health and community service organisations interested in partnering with IHM to submit their expression of interest to become our partners, or contact Jody Laughton Field Education Coordinator or Dr. Rani Dasari Lead Academic Field Education on sw.placements@ihm.edu.au to discuss further.
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