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

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Khushi Singh • 10 Mins read • 1 Aug 25
Masters in Social Work in AustraliaMasters in Social Work in Australia

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

  • Bachelor's degree in social work and a related field.
  • minimum of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.
  • The percentile equivalent of the same is 85% and the grade equivalent is B.
  • IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL iBT: 94, PTE: 72

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

  • February (Semester 1)
  • July (Semester 2)

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



Masters in Social Work in UK

Masters in Social Work in USA


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.

TOEFL

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