RMIT University
Master of Social Work
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Mobilise the forces of individuals, the community, and state organisations to transform lives and create lasting and meaningful social change.
Course overview
You will engage with a wide variety of fields of social work practice throughout your studies.
Your studies will commence with subjects that introduce you to professional practice frameworks and develop your interpersonal and communication skills, culminating in a capstone experience that orients you to your future professional practice.
Coursework is designed to prepare you for two work-integrated learning experiences, in which you will undertake two 70-day placements working alongside social work practitioners in a range of organisations.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To graduate, you must complete the following:
Year One of the Program
Complete the following courses (subjects) for 96 credit points:
- Critical Social Work
- Discourses of Care, Control and Protection
- Critical Professional Practice Skills Part A (24 credit points)
- Field Education A (36 credit points)
- Research Strategies - Social Sciences
Year Two of the Program
Complete the following courses (subjects) for 96 credit points:
- Rights, Recognition and Social Justice
- Influencing Policy
- Critical Professional Practice Skills Part B (24 credit points)
- Field Education B (36 credit points)
- Professional Identity and Sustainable Practice
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor's degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) that includes at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (or equivalent).
Selection for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) is competitive. Complete applications are assessed in the order that they are received until all places are filled.
For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
If you are currently completing your degree and do not yet have a final transcript, please provide an interim transcript in your application.
English language requirements
You must meet the university's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
As a graduate of the Master of Social Work, you will be equipped with a mastery of knowledge and skills to respond to contemporary social disadvantages, oppression and marginalisation, recognising the political nature of social suffering.
Throughout this degree and into your professional practice, you will critically analyse underpinning theories and contemporary policy context, using appropriate research strategies to inform ethical practice.
You will develop advanced problem-solving skills and techniques of intervention, integrating complex information and designing innovative approaches to meet the needs of individuals, families and groups. The interventions you theorise and develop will consider the social, structural and political factors that perpetuate poverty and inequality and assess policies and programs designed to address disadvantage.
Essential communication skills will enable you to explain complex information and concepts to diverse audiences. You will work as an ethical and reflective social work professional, committed to lifelong learning and able to recognise the multicultural nature of contemporary societies, as well as the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, promoting their rights and wellbeing.
Fees and CSP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: From $4,738 up to $17,399 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $29,760 (domestic full-fee paying place).
Additional expenses:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): $373 maximum fee for 2026.
- Other items related to your program include field trips, textbooks and equipment.
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 96 credit points (normally eight units) per year.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of subjects studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of subjects.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate programs.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.