Human services

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You will be able to start your study from home. If restrictions are lifted we will continue to offer our students the flexibility to study online or a combination of online and on campus for the rest of the Trimester.

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Help improve the social, economic and personal wellbeing of our communities

Human services professionals help people improve their social, economic, personal and communal wellbeing.

Due to a number of factors such as an ageing population, Australia's growing migration intake, the increasing needs of families a diverse population, the current and future demand for trained professionals in this field is high and growing. Due to new funding initiatives, the disability sector workforce is expected to double in the next few years and qualified human services workers will be well positioned to fill this requirement. You can become a professional in these fields within two or three years of full time study.

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Human services or social work?

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Study human services at Griffith

Gain a deeper understanding of how to help the community

At Griffith, you'll learn about human services in a personal atmosphere from expert teachers with strong links to the health sector, government and community and get to apply classroom learnings through hands-on practice placements. More reasons to study human services at Griffith:

Gain the skills employers want: Our degree is developed in consultation with industry and professional organisations that work on the frontline of human services.
More diverse career options: A human services degree sets you up to work in the areas of community development, disability, mental health and wellbeing, juvenile justice, social support services for women, children, young people, older people, refugee and migrant resettlement, rehabilitation services, policy and program development, and more.
Future-proof your career: Current research shows the Community Services sector will continue to grow, with ongoing and increased demand for skilled practitioners.*
Hands-on experience: With 52 days of practical work placement, you’ll have invaluable insight and exposure to the profession.
Get credit for your VET qualifications, with the chance to start in the second year of the degree.
Choose to study on campus or online, full-time or part-time, and start in Trimester 1 or 2 to suit your needs.
Fast track your degree: accelerated pathways are available to complete the Bachelor of Human Services in a shorter time frame (2 - 2.5 years full-time)
Be a remarkable graduate: At Griffith, we help students realise their full potential and become accomplished and influential contributors to their chosen field. We’ll help you become effective communicators and collaborators; innovative and creative; socially responsible and engaged in your communities; culturally capable when working with First Australians; and effective in culturally diverse and international environments.

* Deloitte Access Economics (2016) Forecasting the Future Community Services in Queensland 2025. Community Services Industry Alliance and Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.

Tammie Usher

Griffith Human Services Graduate

A lifelong ambition was realised for Tammie Usher when she travelled to Bangalore as part of a Griffith University study trip involving human services and social work students. The Gateway to India project focused on social justice and community development in some of the city's poorest areas. 'I've come to university wanting a better life for me and my family. I've always had that passion for a better life, but now I want a career, not just a job. I know I'm on the right track.' Everybody has a right to be somebody. Everybody has a right to go somewhere in life.

New in 2020

Graduate Certificate in First Peoples Community Practice

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Career outcomes

Jobs await in a variety of public and private sector areas

Our graduates enter the workforce as in-demand professionals with the vision and enthusiasm to make a difference in the lives of children, families and communities

There's a wide range of fulfilling careers open to you in human services, including:

Working with children and seniors
Working with people with disabilities, and from different cultures
Working in community and government agencies
Working in rural and urban settings
Community centres
Family support
Mental health services/support worker
Policy development and research
Rehabilitation services
Welfare and community planning
Women's services and youth work
Employment consultancy
Human resources

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Life at Griffith

You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.

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