Masters in Social Work in Australia: Fees , Top Colleges, Placements & Salaries

Masters in Social Work in Australia is a popular postgraduate program designed to provide students with professional knowledge and practical skills to support society, people, families, and communities. Masters in Social Work in Australia is a 2-year program focused on mental health, child welfare, community development, and social justice. It is especially suitable for students passionate about bringing social change and helping society populations.
The top-ranked universities for Masters in Social Work in Australia such as the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Monash University, and the University of Queensland offer recognized Social Work programs that meet Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) standards.
The average annual tuition fee for a Masters in Social Work in Australia ranges around AUD 28,000 to AUD 45,000, and annual living expenses is between AUD 21,000 to AUD 25,000. After graduation, students' average salary packages are around AUD 60,000 and AUD 85,000 per year. Top recruiters of Masters in Social Work in Australia include government agencies, NGOs, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.
This blog provides the complete necessary information to pursue a Masters in Social Work in Australia.
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Quick Highlights
The table represents key highlights of the Masters in Social Work in Australia from top universities, including course duration, intake seasons, tuition fees, average salary packages, and more.
Particulars | Details |
Course Name | Masters in Social Work in Australia |
Course Duration | 2 years |
Top Universities | University of Melbourne, Monash University, University of Sydney |
Course Eligibility |
|
Entrance Tests Required | GMAT/GRE and TOEFL/IELTS |
Average Annual Tuition Fee | AUD 28,000–AUD 45,000 (₹15–₹24 lakhs) |
Living Expenses | AUD 21,000–AUD 25,000 (₹11–₹13.8 lakhs) |
Average Salary Package | AUD 70,000 per year (₹39 lakhs) |
Application Mode | Online |
Intake Sessions |
|
Top Recruiters | Government agencies, NGOs, hospitals, schools, aged care services. |
Why Choose Masters in Social Work in Australia?
Masters in Social Work in Australia is a great profession in all countries. It is a pathway to create a larger impact in society. Australia is a hub for students who are pursuing masters degrees, check out some of the reasons to study in Australia.
- Most of the universities of Australia who offer Masters in Social Work in Australia are top ranked in QS ranking and linked with strong industries like Atno Bioscience and Grok Learning. Which means it has great industry exposure for students.
- Masters in Social Work in Australia not only offers theoretical knowledge, it also focuses on practical skills and information.
- Australia’s living expenses are so high, so the government also offers so many scholarships for the same to manage the students and their families financial burden.
- Masters in Social Work in Australia average annual salary package is AUD 70,000 per year (₹39 lakhs), which shows its high return on investment.
- After completing the course in Social Work from Australia, there are huge career options available for graduates.
Also Read :
Other Popular Countries for Studying Masters in Social Work
Best Universities for Masters in Social Work in Australia
Below in the table are some of the best universities for Masters in Social Work in Australia, with their QS ranking and annual tuition fees.
QS Ranking 2024 | University | Annual Tuition Fees (AUD) |
25 | The University of Melbourne | 40,864 |
27 | University of New South Wales | 31,000 |
38 | Australian National University | 48,035 |
40 | University of Sydney | 49,500 |
51 | Monash University | 39,200 |
57 | University of Queensland | 43,200 |
154 | University of Western Australia | 36,400 |
205 | Deakin University | 24,800 |
207 | RMIT University | 31,680 |
227 | Curtin University | 19,731 |
238 | University of Newcastle | 35,500 |
249 | University of Wollongong | 34,224 |
285 | University of South Australia | 33,900 |
354 | La Trobe University | 34,000 |
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Eligibility Criteria
Masters in Social Work in Australia requires some eligibility criteria for taking admission, it is mentioned below in a table format with details.
Category | Eligibility Details |
Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (preferably in humanities or social sciences) |
GPA Requirement | Minimum GPA of 2.5–3.0 on a 4.0 scale |
English Language Proficiency | IELTS 6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90+. |
Work Experience | Relevant work/volunteer experience is preferred but not mandatory. It is optional. |
Letters of Recommendation (LORs) | 2–3 academic or professional references |
Statement of Purpose (SOP) | Personal statement describing interest in social work |
Resume/CV | Updated resume with academic and community service achievements |
Passport | A valid passport for a student visa application. |
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Application Process
The following is the detailed application process for applying to the Masters in Social Work in Australia.
Steps | Details |
1 | Research and pick one university of your choice, and with the same you should also plan and register for required entrance exams such as GRE and English language proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. |
2 | Prepare application documents including Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), and academic transcripts. |
3 | After preparing all necessary documents, proceed to submit your application form to the university's official online application website. |
4 | After submitting the application form it will usually take 4 to 8 weeks for final decision from university end, When you receive the offer letter accept it and then proceed for the Visa process. |
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Documents Required
Applying for a Masters in Social Work in Australia requires some documents related to academic background, financial background, and more. Some of the documents are.
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English language test scores (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Funds (for visa)
- Offer letter from the university
- Health insurance (OSHC – Overseas Student Health Cover)
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Visa Application Timeline
For studying Masters in Social Work in Australia, international students have to apply for a visa. For Visa timeline details, check out the following table.
Events | Timeline |
IELTS/TOEFL Preparation | 2–3 months before application |
University Applications | 6–8 months before intake |
Receive Offer Letter | Within 4–6 weeks post-application |
Apply for Visa | At least 2 months before program start |
Orientation and Travel | 2–4 weeks before semester begins |
Top Entrance Exams for Masters in Social Work in Australia
To take admission into Masters in Social Work in Australia, students are required to give entrance exams. Below is a list of the top entrance exams usually required.
Entrance Exams | Details |
IELTS | The International English Language Testing System is the English proficiency test that is widely accepted, minimum score of 6.5 – 7.5 overall, with no band below 6.0. |
GRE | Verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing are types of tests it is and the average GRE score required is 300. |
Test proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in academic English with a minimum of 90–110 score is required, and it can vary according to the university. |
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Cutoff
Masters in Social Work in Australia admission is based on merit and some english proficiency test scores. All the details of the same are listed below in the table.
Category | Eligibility Details |
Educational Qualification | A completed Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (preferably in social sciences, psychology, sociology, or human services) |
GPA Requirement | Minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, depending on the university |
English Language Proficiency | IELTS 6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90+. |
Work Experience | Relevant work/volunteer experience is preferred but not mandatory. It is optional. |
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Syllabus
The Masters in Social Work in Australia generally covers core subjects such asHuman Development and Psychology. A degree in Social Science or related fields give the added advantage of foundation knowledge. Some of the core syllabus of Masters in Social Work in Australia are listed below.
- Human Development and Psychology
- Social Work Theory and Practice
- Ethics and Legal Contexts in Social Work
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Research Methods in Social Work
- Social Policy and Social Justice
- Child and Family Welfare
- Indigenous Social Work
- Practicum/Fieldwork Placements
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Electives & Specializations
Masters in Social Work in Australia offers specialization in Mental Health, Child and Family Welfare, Ethics and Legal Contexts in Social Work, and more, which help society well well-being.
Specialization | Details |
Mental Health | Psychosocial recovery, trauma-informed practice |
Child & Family Services | Child protection, parenting support |
Aged Care & Disability | Gerontology, disability inclusion |
Community Development | Social innovation, community engagement |
Refugee & Migration | Multicultural practice, advocacy |
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Scholarships
Masters in Social Work in Australia provides scholarships to their eligible students because the cost of living in Australia is a bit high.
The table below shows the eligibility criteria and amount for applying to the scholarship for Masters in Social Work in Australia.
Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships | Currently enrolled in a Masters by research program at the University of Melbourne | Automatic consideration | 100% fee remission and up to 135,000 AUD |
UQ International Excellence Scholarships | International student with a GPA of 6.75 and above out of 7.0 (80-85%) | 25% reduction in tuition fees per semester |
2024 Global Curtin Scholarships – Merit Scholarship | International, non-sponsored, fee-paying students | Met or exceeded the higher academic cut-off score | 25% off on the first year tuition fee |
South Asia Excellence Scholarship | Passport holder of South Asian countries (Including India) | Pursuing a postgraduate coursework degree program | Full fee-paying status | 10,000 AUD per year |
Monash International Merit Scholarships | High-achieving students | AUD 10,000 per year |
Australia Awards Scholarships | Outstanding international students | Full tuition + travel + stipend |
Cost of Studying Masters in Social Work in Australia
Masters in Social Work in Australia, living expenses on average, are around AUD 21,000–AUD 25,000 (₹11–₹13.8 lakhs). The Australian government provides scholarships to its eligible students because the cost of living in Australia is a bit high. The cost of living depends on the lifestyle chosen by the candidate.
Below is the detailed breakdown of the total costs involved for living and studying Masters in Social Work in Australia on an annual basis.
Types of expenses | Average Annual Expense (AUD) | Cost Equivalent (INR) |
Tuition Fee | 28,000 – 45,000 | ₹15 – ₹24 lakhs |
Living Costs | 21,000 – 25,000 | ₹11 – ₹13.8 lakhs |
Health Insurance (OSHC) | 500 – 700 | ₹27,000 – ₹38,000 |
Books and Materials | 500 – 1,000 | ₹27,000 – ₹55,000 |
Transport & Miscellaneous | 2,000 – 3,000 | ₹1.1 – ₹1.7 lakhs |
Career Scope After Masters in Social Work in Australia
Career Scope After Masters in Social Work in Australia is in multiple domains of social work. Some popular ones are listed below.
- Social Worker
- Mental Health Counselor
- Case Manager
- Social or Community Service Manager
- Senior Social Worker
- Mental Health Clinician
- Healthcare Consultant
- Clinical Coordinator
- Clinical Social Worker
- Disability Care Worker
Masters in Social Work in Australia: Salary Package
Masters in Social Work in Australia average salary package is AUD 70,000 per year (₹39 lakhs). The table below shows the Annual Salary package for various job roles offered after completing a Masters in Social Work in Australia.
Job Title | Average Annual Salary (AUD) | Equivalent Salary (₹) |
Social Worker | 72,980 | ₹41.06 lakhs |
Mental Health Counselor | 68,790 | ₹38.71 lakhs |
Case Manager | 72,500 | ₹40.79 lakhs |
Social or Community Service Manager | 89,320 | ₹50.26 lakhs |
Senior Social Worker | 69,440 | ₹39.07 lakhs |
Mental Health Clinician | 64,220 | ₹36.13 lakhs |
Healthcare Consultant | 73,400 | ₹41.29 lakhs |
Clinical Coordinator | 80,370 | ₹45.21 lakhs |
Clinical Social Worker | 89,168 | ₹50.16 lakhs |
Disability Care Worker | 40,720 | ₹22.90 lakhs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: What is the time duration of completing Masters in Social Work in Australia?
Ans: The Masters in Social Work in Australia program duration is 2 years including both theoretical and practical learning.
Ques: What is the average tuition fee for Masters in Social Work in Australia?
Ans: The average annual tuition fee for Masters in Social Work in Australia ranges between AUD 28,000–AUD 45,000 (₹15–₹24 lakhs).
Ques: What are the living expenses for international students for completing Masters in Social Work in Australia?
Ans: The living expenses for completing Masters in Social Work in Australia, on average, are around AUD 21,000–AUD 25,000 (₹11–₹13.8 lakhs).
Ques: Which top universities offer Masters in Social Work in Australia?
Ans: Top universities which offer Masters in Social Work in Australia include.
- The University of Melbourne
- University of New South Wales
- Australian National University
- University of Sydney
- Monash University
- University of Queensland
- University of Western Australia
- Deakin University
- RMIT University
- Curtin University
- University of Newcastle
- University of Wollongong
- University of South Australia
Ques: What are the career options available for Masters in Social Work in Australia?
Ans: Career Scope After Masters in Social Work in Australia are multiple domains of social work. Some popular ones are listed below.
- Social Worker
- Mental Health Counselor
- Case Manager
- Social or Community Service Manager
- Senior Social Worker
- Mental Health Clinician
- Healthcare Consultant
- Clinical Coordinator
- Clinical Social Worker
- Disability Care Worker