SOCIAL WORK CAREERS
Where a social work degree takes you.
Thirteen areas of practice, one versatile qualification. Explore the settings, roles and pathways open to Bachelor of Social Work graduates in Australia.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Choose your direction
Mental health social work
Mental health is one of the largest and fastest-growing areas of social work practice in Australia. Mental health social…
Explore this career02Hospital and healthcare social work
Hospital social workers are core members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams. They help patients and families navigate…
Explore this career03Child protection and family services
Child protection social workers safeguard children and young people while working to strengthen and preserve families. T…
Explore this career04Family and domestic violence
Family and domestic violence practitioners support victim-survivors to be safe and recover, while holding systems accoun…
Explore this career05Disability and the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme has reshaped Australia's disability sector and created significant demand for s…
Explore this career06Aged care social work
Australia's ageing population is driving sustained demand for social workers in aged care. Practitioners support older p…
Explore this career07Housing and homelessness
Housing is a human right and a foundation for health and wellbeing. Social workers in this field combine practical crisi…
Explore this career08School social work
School social workers support students to engage with education by addressing the wellbeing, family and social factors t…
Explore this career09Alcohol and other drug services
AOD social workers support people to reduce harm from alcohol and other drug use, grounded in evidence, compassion and a…
Explore this career10Justice and corrections
Justice social workers work at the intersection of welfare and the legal system - supporting rehabilitation, addressing …
Explore this career11Community development
Community development practitioners work with communities rather than for them - building on local strengths, organising…
Explore this career12Government and public policy
Social workers in policy roles shape the systems that everyone else practises within. Their frontline understanding of h…
Explore this career13Research and academia
Social work research builds the evidence base for practice - testing what works, amplifying the voices of service users …
Explore this careerYOUR NEXT STEP
One degree opens every one of these doors.
The four-year IHM Bachelor of Social Work prepares you for all of these fields.
Explore the BSW