Social Work
The career-ready placement requirements for students in our social work programs are as follows:
| Program | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) | Complete two placements of 500 hours each, through the courses SWRK3300 Field Practicum 1 and SWRK4400 Field Practicum 2. |
| Master of Social Work (Qualifying) | Complete two placements of 500 hours each, through the courses SWRK6905 Social Work Placement 1 and SWRK6911 Social Work Placement 2. |
Placements allow you to apply social work theories and concepts in real-world settings, develop professional skills, and embody the values and ethics central to social work practice.
In both the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and Master of Social Work (Qualifying) programs, you will complete two 500-hour placements during your studies, totalling 1000 hours of supervised experience.
You will be placed in a professional setting under the guidance of qualified, experienced social workers. The University will source your placements for you. We work collaboratively with a variety of organisations including government departments, health facilities, family and community services, hospitals, community organisations, and more. We offer diverse placement opportunities which you may undertake locally within NSW, interstate or internationally. When allocating placements, we will take into account your learning needs and the type of placements available.
All Social Work students are required to complete NSW Health Verification prior to placement. This ensures your safety and the safety of other students, staff and patients.
These processes can take 8 weeks or more. It is recommended that you submit your documents well in advance of your proposed placement dates to avoid delays.
You may be able to complete your placement overseas. Check out the opportunities available for your program below.
The Professional Experience Unit (PEU) for the College of Human and Social Futures can provide advice and support regarding Sonia Online, the placement management system, as well as processes and documentation requirements.
Email: SocialWorkPEU@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: (02) 4055 5504
If you have additional questions about your placement, you are encouraged to seek advice from the Field Education Coordinator (Social Work) by emailing SW.FieldEC@newcastle.edu.au.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.