This course enables students to develop a critical understanding of the historical and philosophical debates that underpin contemporary social and community services work in Australia and other cross-national contexts. It covers the history of social welfare and long-standing debates on topics such as social responsibility vs social contract; social justice vs charity and the roles and obligations of professionals as defined by International Human Rights Charters, Indigenous Rights, Children¿s Rights, and the Victims' Charter Act. Social problems such as poverty, homelessness, displacement and statelessness; gender-based violence, disability and family violence are examined. Students also consider the social, political, legal, historical, cultural and organisational contexts/systems impacting individuals and communities. They also examine complexities related to human behaviour, development and life cycle stages and the impacts of family violence on individuals and communities. A key focus of the course is the application of principles of self-determination and cultural safety in professional practice as informed by an understanding of First Nations cultures and the injustices experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people due to colonisation. Students also consider how colonisation has impacted service delivery and are challenged to reflect on effective and culturally safe ways of working with individuals or communities who have previously experienced trauma.
For further information regarding the course please refer to the Course Outline found at the following link (PDF, 182kB).
A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government and students pay a contribution amount. Each unit is classified into a student contribution band, depending on the study area of the unit (this discipline may be different from the study area of your course).
2024 contribution amount* -
$2,040
2024 contribution amount - continuing student who commenced before 1 Jan 2021* -
$957
* for Clinical Psychology (Clin Psych) & Professional Pathways (Prof Path) bands the contribution amount is determined by accredited course. Students in Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, Professional Pathway Psychology or Professional Pathway Social Work accredited courses should visit our CSP page for further information.
Note: The Job-ready Graduates Package introduced new funding clusters and contribution amounts from the 2021 academic year. If you are a continuing student who commenced before 1 January 2021 studying units in disciplines with increased contribution amounts, you will continue paying the same amount (indexed each year) as you would have. For further information visit the Australia Government's Study Assist website.
These places are offered for postgraduate studies or to CSP ineligible students and tuition fees are not subsidised by the Australian Government. Domestic postgraduate tuition fees are course-based annual fees and the unit fee you pay will vary according to the degree you are studying. To find out more about domestic tuition fees and view the relevant fee schedule visit our fees website.
International tuition fees are course-based annual fees and the unit fee you pay will vary according to the degree you are studying. To find out more about international tuition fees and view the relevant fee schedule visit our fees website.
It is important to check unit delivery details including location and census date, prior to making decisions about enrolment. Detailed semester and census date information can be found on the Important Dates page.