Social Worker Job Kit

SOCIAL WORKER Connect with communities and change the world

JOB KIT

NEXT GEN CAREERS

FOREWORD

Change lives for a living Build a career that combines your interests with helping people

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J

ust because I’m Professor Helen now, doesn’t mean my pathway to university was easy. I didn’t pass high school.

I grew up in a migrant family, and my parents’ first language wasn’t English. We could have benefited from a social worker – they could have helped us to develop a better sense of belonging in the world.

But social work is much broader than that.

Social workers might do counselling, run therapy groups, develop community programs, or work in policy and research. There are career paths into leadership and humanitarian aid, including opportunities to work overseas with the United Nations. Social work is really diverse and it spans many fields. You could find yourself working in child protection, family support services, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or migrant communities, in hospitals, or in schools, prisons, disability services,or aged care. Emerging areas like green social work, which focuses on climate change, and animal assisted therapies are also opening even more ways to make a difference.

Throughout all of this, social workers have three core principles: social justice, human dignity, and professional integrity. Because people are experts in their own lives, we do not try to change them. Sometimes we help people

Professor Helen McLaren National head of discipline (social Work), ACU to navigate the world as it is. Other times we try to change the world around them.

At ACU we have small cla ss sizes and work closely with our social wo rk students. Our educators represent the diversity of the communities we work wit h. We learn side by side with students so the y can develop their confidence. We’re not tel ling you what you have to know; we’re doing it together. And with 1,000 hours of professiona l placements in the degree, students get a get a good feel for social work. Opportunities to do a placement overseas, such as through our partnership with Christ University in Ind ia, are also available.

Wherever social work tak es you, you can be confident that the friend s you make while studying will stay with you throughout your career. That’s because, wh atever has drawn them to the degree, they will have the same philosophy as you: wanti ng to ensure that the world is a better place for people.

ly social work is realy man fields” diverse and it spans Certificate IV in Business (Accountancy), Tafe Rape and Sexual Assault Investigator, South Australia Police

Certificate IV in Child Abuse Investigation, Tafe

Professor Helen McLaren National Head of Discip line (Social Work), ACU

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), UniSA

Advocacy, Ministerial Advisory Committee for Children with a Disabiltiy

Forensic psycho-social therapist, Child Protection Services, Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Professor of Social Work, Flinders University

PhD (Social Science), UniSA Researcher, South Australian Department of Community Welfare Head of Discipline, Social Work, ACU

Check out CareerswithSTEM.com for more insights, information, inspiration and advice about careers in social work!

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SOCIAL WORKER

DEEP DIVE

Heart at work Keen to solve problems and fight for justice?

Yes, being a superhero is an actual job

rk?

What is socipalindwo ies through some ividuals and communit

Socia l workers hel oss settings such providing assistance acr of life’s toughest times, organisations, ools, courts, communit y as hospitals, prisons, sch addition to and private practices. In government departments part of their ge ocating for fairness, a lar offering support and adv they need to s rce ng people with the resou work involves connecti e ser vices to car lth counselling and hea m fro – es liv ir the ve impro collaborate, and cia l workers also listen, So . aid al leg d an ng usi ho h-impact role for ’ rights – the perfect hig stand up for their clients ke a difference. us grads who want to ma compassionate and curio

Next-gen Support Humans have been helping people forever, but social workers are far from stuck in the past. New tech is increasingly making care faster and smarter. Take a look!

Telehealth

Bridges barriers to increase access to support for vulnerable, mobility-impaired or rural patients.

Text & chat services

Connects users with trained professionals without the need to speak to them, making getting help feel less intimidating.

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VR empathy training

Allows trainees to immerse themselves in a variety of different perspectives, fostering deeper understanding and compassion for others.

Smart, AI-driven data tools

Manages large data sets, predicts risk and streamlines administration processes to free up more direct, face-to-face time.

Case management software

Stores client data, tracks progress, maps services and offers a 360-degree perspective on cases.

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Simply the best

Forget snoozy lectures! At ACU students start with practice simulations. In Year 3, they step into social work placements – joining real teams and seeing how their coursework translates.

Why Choose Social Work?

• Make a difference to people’s lives • Support children, families and communities • Turn empathy into a powerful career • Enjoy a variety of roles and settings • Be part of a team that values social justice • Join a growing profession with strong job demand • Choose work where your values and job align 4

job search If you’re wondering who’s ne! hiring, the answer is everyo e uat rad erg und U’s AC th Bo rk and postgraduate social wo gig a you d lan ld degrees cou in sectors like:

hild and family •C services ealthcare •H and hospitals • Mental health and counselling isability and •D aged care • Community development • J ustice, corrections and youth services • Schools and education • Government policy and advocacy

Study a Bachelor or Masters of Social Work at ACU. Visit bit.ly/ ACU-SocialWork or scan the code for more info.

The pay off

As if it wasn’t rewa rd ing enough, in Austral ia social wo well. Graduates earn rk pays ar nd the $82,000 mark – highou our national averag er than e experienced worker – with s earn ing upwards of $116,0 00 depend ing on their role and sector.

Myths, busted Don’t let outdated social work stereotypes put you off!

It’s all sitting around discussing feelings

Nope, talking is just the start. When in session, social workers are also busy problem-solving, advocating, planning, supporting, researching and writing reports.

Most jobs are in child protection

As if! Social workers are needed everywhere, including hospitals, schools, mental health services, youth programs, justice systems, community organisations and even in government.

Electives Checklist At ACU, Bachelor of Social ir Work students can tailor the n Kee ls. goa eer car to electives e on community work? Tak units in leadership. See . yourself in policy? Explore law h: wit CV r you ge Superchar

You’re hired!

As long as people need support, social workers aren’t going anywhere.

In Australia there are currently around 48,000, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. They work everywhere from frontline support to policy leadership, with demand expected to grow as communities cry out for more resources.

✔ Psychology ✔ Diversity & Culture ✔ Communication & Media ✔ Law, Policy & Society ✔ Leadership & Community 5

As long as you’re kind, you’ll get a job

Not exactly! Compassion is important, but social work also demands fluency in a list of specialised areas. These include ethics, law, sociology, psychology, critical thinking, communication and data analysis.

The pay is bad

Er, nope! In Australia social work is a qualified profession with competitive salaries as well as leadership pathways.

There’s no point trying to change the system

Not true. When appropriate, social workers can assist in draf ting new policies and programs that can affect whole communities.

SOCIAL WORKER

REAL PEOPLE

Still Working On It She hasn’t finished uni yet, but Jhanvi Joshy already knows what she stands for

jhanvi joshy social work student

I

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that first sparked t was high school science man ser vices sector, Jhanvi’s interest in the hu people eventually with a love of studying Socia l Work. “I’ve always leading to a Bachelor of gy ping others, and sociolo found fulfillment in hel on t pac im y’s iet ut soc inspired me to learn abo n there was chemistr y, the nd “A s. say she people,” ut analysing information which got me excited abo plex concepts.” and breaking down com ACU, Jhanvi is r Now in her third yea at on for helping people complementing her passi e al skills, with subjects lik with advanced analy tic ful use g vin Theor y pro Ethics and Socia l Work d and heart. hea her g tin when separa Australian Association “We learnt to apply the meworks to specific fra l of Socia l Workers’ ethica s, stressing that social case scenarios,” she say is ut personal growt h as it work is just as much abo the s orm nsf eflection tra professiona l skills. “Self-r those around us.” d an s lve rse way we see ou

the on-campus chapel an d up until recent ly a vic e president position at the uni’s social work societ y.

And now? She’s particula rly pumped about an upcoming placement with the Department of Communities and Justic e, which she hopes will eventually lead to a full-ti me job. “Uni has been rea lly enriching,” she say s. “Getting involved in extra opportunities has boosted my confidence and networking skills.”

The Future is Caring

Fast for ward a few years and Jhanvi dreams of ma king a genuine impac t on vu lnerable children and their families – sha ping the policies and legislative reforms that impact their safety and support networks.

Her advice for those on a similar pat hway?

Be nice! “Socia l work ask s you to listen to people ’s stories with humility an d genuine presence,” she says. “If you can approa ch people with warmth and humanit y, while bu ilding strong advocacy and leadership skills, you’ll grow into a practitioner who can ma ke a meaning ful difference”.

All In

her sy, with Jhanvi putting Life at ACU has been bu ial soc d an lar icu urr rac ext hand up for a long list of th wi ces her coursework opportunities. She balan days, playing piano in en voluntar y shifts at op

social work asks you to listen to people with humility and pr’sesstories ence”

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Bachelor of Social Work, ACU

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E R O M E R A C ’T N D L U CO ng others led to a meaningful Lily Sietsma’s passion for helpi

Supportive and Palliative Care Social Worker, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Placement, CatholicCare

Day in the life 8am Arrive at work, grab a coffee and catch up with colleagues, emails, Teams messages and missed calls. Triage any new referrals.

Check in on patient notes and prioritise tasks.

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10.30am Touch base with the team before visiting patients, tackling everything from psychosocial assessments and counselling sessions to advanced care planning and end of life discussions.

12.30pm

We have the privilege of walking alongside people and learning from them”

On Mondays the medical team presents updates on each patient, allowing us to raise concerns, discuss complex cases and work together to best support them.

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1.30pm

Hit my desk after lunch to complete notes from patient interactions – recording stat s, time spent and any interven tions completed. Occasionally I atte nd home visits with my seniors to observe and expand my skills.

Placement, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Both humanities and STEM skills are key to the job.

On top of drawing on the evid ence-based practices she learnt in her psychology unit s, Lillian increasingly relies on AI systems (Microsof t CoPilot) and digital ser vices (Health Direct) to integrate and deliver more informed patient suppor t and care.

“It’s important to remember though, that despite incredible advances in techno logy, you can’t replace a [human’s] pas sion for just ice and empathy,” she says.

“We have the privilege of wal king alongside real people and learning from them.”

lily sietsma social worker

3pm

District-wide and triage mee tings, as well as supervision or non-clinical work such as trai ning, education and research.

4.30pm

Wrap up for the day, schedule any outstanding items for the nex t work day, grab a chocolate from the office treat jar and head home.

Bachelor of Social Work, ACU

W

hen Lily decided she wanted a job that aligned with her values, pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work was an obvious first step. “Hearing a friend talk about his experience helped me realise [the degree] would set me up to do meaningful work in a wide range of settings,” says Lily. “I knew I wanted to work with people.”

Compatible with both her faith and future goals, Lily kickstarted her study and career path at ACU where she enjoyed more than just lecturers, but hands-on and purpose-driven coursework.

The highlight? A practical, community engagement unit that paired students with real-world organisations.

“We were able to really experience what it would look like to mobilise support and create meaningful change,” she says. “It was also a great opportunity to work with like-minded people!”

Fast forward four years, two work placements and several hands-on subjects later, and Lily is now a supportive and palliative care social worker at Nepean Hospital. Working with the hospital’s inpatient and community teams, she spends her 9-5 providing end of life care, helping patients and their families navigate one of life’s most vulnerable moments.

career palliative care

SOCIAL WORKER

Choose this career if you…

Get the job!

✔ Want to see change in communities you wo rk in ✔ Want the people yo u work with to feel empowere d ✔ Want a meaningfu l profession ✔ Care about socia l justice

the career for you?

Thinking social work might be sources Get a head start with these re

Celebrate Study at school

Listen AASW Podcast

ial Want to hear from Aussie soc tralian Aus The ? role the in s ker wor has Association of Social Workers a podcast series.

Work For the Bachelor of Social an ied stud e hav at ACU, you need to English or English as a Second 2.

Language course in Year 11-1

World Social Work Day, run by the International Federation of Social Workers, is in March each year.

Postgrad?

Already been to uni? You can also study social work as a postgra duate course at ACU. You might also be interested in the Master of Family

Social Work Discoveries Podcast

and Systemic Therapy.

and In this podcast, social worker ws rvie inte eph researcher Ben Jos ut abo ers arch social work rese projects they’ve worked on.

Fill your feed

Support on placements

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•P lacements get you crucial work experience – especially long-term ones. But they can take up a lot of time and resources!

• S tudying social work, you may be eligible for the government’s Commonwealth Prac Payment.

• T his is a weekly payment that helps support social work (and other) students while they’re on placement.

Follow the Australian Association of Social Workers on Facebook: @TheAASW or Instagram: @TheAASW

Care for the climate? easingly interested in – and Social work is becoming incr . If you’re highly motivated by nge affected by – climate cha e a role to play as a social climate justice, you might hav Social Work Community worker. Check out the Green mate Action for ideas.

Hub or Social Workers for Cli

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This edition was published on 17 April 2026.