Social work

Personalised by

Use this icon to personalise the page to your pathway, preferred campus and study level.

Personalisation is not available through private browsing.

Help work towards a socially just and equitable society

If you want to help people and you feel passionate about social justice and human rights, social work is for you. You can now study social work online with some on-campus attendance required, or totally on-campus.

Griffith social work degrees have been designed to develop high quality social work practitioners with competence in all core areas. You'll develop critical thinking skills grounded in the values and ethics of the profession — promoting social justice, diversity, equity, and a commitment to the rights and needs of the people with whom you work.

Skip to degrees

Frequently Unasked Questions

Got questions about uni life that only a student would know? Get the kind of answers you won’t find on a typical university FAQ page.

Find out more about Frequently Unasked Questions

Study social work at Griffith

Pursue a career that improves quality of life

Social workers are trained to understand people, putting their skills to work for the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.

You'll study society and social arrangements, human services provision, counselling, and human behaviour and development, as well as specialised social work courses. You'll have the advantage of being taught by expert staff with experience in all areas of the social work profession. Many of our lecturers have won university awards for their outstanding teaching.

Extensive social work field placements

You'll complete two field placements as part of your Bachelor of Social Work degree, completing a minimum of 500 hours per placement to give you the opportunities to put your academic knowledge and skills into practice.

You'll be supervised by a qualified social worker for the duration of the field placement.

Study on-campus or online

Our social work bachelor degrees are taught at both our Logan and Gold Coast campuses or through external study (mostly online with some on-campus attendance required for intensive courses).

Inspiring overseas experiences

Social work student Melissa Cootes took part in a slums outreach program in India that supports children to attend schools and mentors them through to university, hoping education will alleviate the poverty of more than one person.

Zoe Gill

Zoe Gill had been a social worker for 15 years when she enrolled in a Master of Social Work at Griffith University.

Already a leader within her industry, Zoe took on the degree as a personal challenge. She felt like ‘something was missing’, and that something was a qualification commensurate with her substantial lived experience.

What impressed Zoe about Griffith was how much her supervisors really cared as they guided her through the university system. Zoe saw her lecturers, tutors and convenors bringing social work values into education.

“They cared about me as a social worker would: They saw me, my whole life and my professional experience,” Zoe said.

Study options

{"executionContext":"Public","query":null,"originalQuery":null,"collection":{"id":"gu-study-programs","profiles":{"_default":{"id":"_default","facetedNavConfConfig":{"facetDefinitions":[],"metadataFieldsUsed":[]},"padreOpts":null}},"facetedNavigationConfConfig":null,"facetedNavigationLiveConfig":null,"metaComponents":[],"type":"local"},"profile":"_default","clive":null,"form":"simple","cnClickedCluster":null,"cnPreviousClusters":[],"metaParameters":["+discipline:0033|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"systemMetaParameters":[],"additionalParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"origin":["-33.861496,151.2055"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["103.1.192.88"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"sort":["title"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0033%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"location":[""]},"environmentVariables":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"103.1.192.88","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0033%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"},"dynamicQueryProcessorOptions":["-qlog_file=/opt/funnelback/data/gu-study-programs/live/log/queries-griff-search01.log"],"userKeys":[],"selectedFacets":[],"selectedCategoryValues":{},"facetsQueryConstraints":[],"facetCollectionConstraints":null,"facetsGScopeConstraints":null,"impersonated":false,"requestId":"103.1.192.88","logQuery":null,"rawInputParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0033|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["103.1.192.88"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0033%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"]},"inputParameterMap":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"103.1.192.88","query_and":"discipline:0033|T:Single|B:|W:|J:","city":"","fmo":"on","personalise":"yes","sort":"title","collection":"gu-study-programs","location":"","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0033%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on","num_ranks":"1000"},"questionType":"SEARCH","locale":"en_US","location":{"areaCode":0,"city":"Sydney","countryCode":"AU","countryName":"Australia","dmaCode":0,"latitude":-33.861496,"longitude":151.2055,"metroCode":0,"postalCode":"1001","region":"02"},"hostname":null,"funnelbackVersion":{"major":15,"minor":20,"revision":0},"customData":{},"queryStringMapCopy":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0033|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"]},"extraSearch":false}

Degrees	Campus	OP
Bachelor of Child and Family Studies	Logan Other	15
Bachelor of Child, Youth and Family Practice	Logan Other
Bachelor of Social Work	Logan	14
Bachelor of Social Work	Gold Coast Other	14
Graduate Certificate in Disability Inclusion	Online
Graduate Certificate in First Peoples Community Practice	Other
Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice	Online
Master of Mental Health Practice	Other
Master of Social Work	Gold Coast Logan Other

{"executionContext":"Public","query":null,"originalQuery":null,"collection":{"id":"gu-study-programs","profiles":{"_default":{"id":"_default","facetedNavConfConfig":{"facetDefinitions":[],"metadataFieldsUsed":[]},"padreOpts":null}},"facetedNavigationConfConfig":null,"facetedNavigationLiveConfig":null,"metaComponents":[],"type":"local"},"profile":"_default","clive":null,"form":"simple","cnClickedCluster":null,"cnPreviousClusters":[],"metaParameters":["+discipline:0033|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"systemMetaParameters":[],"additionalParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"origin":["-33.861496,151.2055"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["103.1.192.88"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"sort":["title"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0033%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"location":[""]},"environmentVariables":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"103.1.192.88","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0033%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"},"dynamicQueryProcessorOptions":["-qlog_file=/opt/funnelback/data/gu-study-programs/live/log/queries-griff-search01.log"],"userKeys":[],"selectedFacets":[],"selectedCategoryValues":{},"facetsQueryConstraints":[],"facetCollectionConstraints":null,"facetsGScopeConstraints":null,"impersonated":false,"requestId":"103.1.192.88","logQuery":null,"rawInputParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0033|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["103.1.192.88"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0033%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"]},"inputParameterMap":{"query_and":"discipline:0033|T:Double|B:|W:|J:","REMOTE_ADDR":"103.1.192.88","city":"","fmo":"on","personalise":"yes","sort":"title","collection":"gu-study-programs","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0033%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on","location":"","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","num_ranks":"1000"},"questionType":"SEARCH","locale":"en_US","location":{"areaCode":0,"city":"Sydney","countryCode":"AU","countryName":"Australia","dmaCode":0,"latitude":-33.861496,"longitude":151.2055,"metroCode":0,"postalCode":"1001","region":"02"},"hostname":null,"funnelbackVersion":{"major":15,"minor":20,"revision":0},"customData":{},"queryStringMapCopy":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0033|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"]},"extraSearch":false}

Expand your qualifications and your career options with our range of double degrees. As a double degree graduate, you’ll have a special skill set that will help you stand out with future employers.

Double Degrees	Campus	OP
Bachelor of Psychological Science/Master of Mental Health Practice	Gold Coast Mount Gravatt Other	14
Master of Social Work/Master of Mental Health Practice	Other

It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.

New in 2020

Graduate Certificate in First Peoples Community Practice

Apply now

Career outcomes

Opportunities for a challenging, fulfilling career

Social work is committed to ethical practice, human rights and social justice

Griffith graduates enter the workforce as qualified social workers ready to assist individuals, families, groups and communities in a broad range of roles including:

Casework
Counselling
Advocacy

You'll be well prepared for work that makes a difference in:

Child protection
Youth work
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services
Child and family welfare
Youth and adult offending
Disability
Hospital and community health settings
Mental health
Employment and income support
Working with older people or with migrants and refugees

Create a personalised study guide

Explore what Griffith has to offer

Get started

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.

Learn more about life at Griffith University

News

View all news articles

19 Mar 2020

Surf paddling study to bring new wave of research for coaches and surfers

11 Mar 2020

NRL Jillaroos: Fitter, Faster, Stronger and Safer with Griffith Sports Science

Key dates

View all key dates

Monday 24 February — Monday 24 February

Trimester 1: Teaching and exams

Includes study and exam period from Thursday 28 May to Friday 6 June.

Find out more.

Friday 8 May — Saturday 9 May

Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo

Visit the Griffith University stand at the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo to talk to our expert advisers about your study goals, life at Griffith, online study options and more.

Find out more.

Monday 11 May — Thursday 14 May

Mature Student Open Evenings

No matter whether you’re returning to university after a few years off, starting study for the first time or looking for a postgraduate degree to further your career, we can help you find the right study path.

Find out more.

Wednesday 13 May — Thursday 14 May

Gold Coast Careers Festival

Visit the Griffith University stand at the Gold Coast Careers Festival to talk to our expert advisers about your study goals, life at Griffith, online study options and more.

Find out more.

Thursday 21 May — Thursday 21 May

Cairns Youth and Careers Expo

Visit the Griffith University stand at the Gold Coast Careers Festival to talk to our expert advisers about your study goals, life at Griffith, online study options and more.

Find out more.

Monday 22 June — Wednesday 24 June

Trimester 2: Orientation

Get the right start and find out everything you need to know about starting at Griffith.

Find out more.

Monday 29 June — Saturday 10 October

Trimester 2: Teaching and exams

Includes study and exam period from Thursday 1 October to Saturday 10 October.

Find out more.

Saturday 18 July — Sunday 19 July

Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO)

TSXPO is for anyone considering further study. Talk to our academic and professional staff about our degrees, flexible study options, admission pathways, how to apply, scholarships and support services. Entry is free.

Find out more.

Tuesday 21 July — Tuesday 21 July

Sunshine Coast Daily Careers Expo

Visit the Griffith University stand at the Sunshine Coast Daily Careers Expo to talk to our expert advisers about your study goals, life at Griffith, online study options and more.

Find out more.

Monday 3 August — Monday 3 August

Townsville Careers Expo

Visit the Griffith University stand at the Townsville Careers Expo to talk to our expert advisers about your study goals, life at Griffith, online study options and more.

Find out more.

Sunday 9 August — Sunday 9 August

Open Day

On Open Day, you’ll find general information about all our degrees at each campus, as well as essential information about student support services, admissions, scholarships and postgraduate studies. It’s a great time to get to know our campuses, experience life at Griffith, explore your study options and find the information you need to make a decision about your future.

Find out more.

Monday 14 September — Thursday 17 September

Mature Student Open Evenings

Find out more.

Monday 19 October — Friday 23 October

Trimester 3: Orientation

Get the right start and find out everything you need to know about starting at Griffith.

Find out more.