HSW714 - Professional Practice in Social Work A

Year:

2025 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Online with significant campus requirements (see in-person attendance requirements)

Credit point(s): 3
EFTSL value: 0.375
Cohort rule: This unit is only available to students enrolled in H703
Prerequisite:

At least four units including HSW701, HSW702 and HSW703

Corequisite: Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Study commitment

Students will on average spend 600 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Scheduled learning activities - online

A minimum of 500 hours (across at least 65 days) of professional experience (field education), as per AASW accreditation requirements, in a social or community service agency or program.

Students must attend integration seminars (on-campus or online) during placement. Time for personal study and completion of some assessment items will be required outside of placement hours. Students are also required to participate in online activities.

In-person attendance requirements

All students must attend a compulsory 2 day intensive at the Geelong Waterfront Campus at which core practical learning requirements will be taught.

2025 intensive dates and locations information will be available mid November.

Note:

Department of Human Services policy - Police Record Check and Working With Children Check

In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to the commencement of each placement. The field placement team will advise students on the timing of these checks.

Students are also required to hold a current Working with Children Check in Victoria (or the interstate equivalent) prior to the commencing placement. The type of Working with Children Check required is dependent on the state or territory in which the placement is located.

Students who do not have a current National Police Record Check and a current Working with Children Check (or interstate equivalent) are unable to undertake placement and this will delay course progression.

Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory.

Content

This unit enables students to participate in a structured and supervised field placement in an approved health or human service organisation. As per the regulatory requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) students are provided with 1.5 hours per week of supervision from a field educator who is a qualified social worker with a minimum of two years post qualifying experience, who has undertaken appropriate supervision training. The student and the placement field educator are supported by the university liaison person who is a qualified social worker with a minimum of five years post qualifying experience who provides a minimum of two substantial contacts.

Opportunities are provided for students to integrate theory with practice and develop the required skills and knowledge base to meet the Australian Association of Social Workers standards. Students are placed in a range of setting where learning experiences are with individuals and families, groups and communities. The placement can include interpersonal work, and may also introduce students to project work, research work and social policy analysis and formulation.

Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) is possible for HSW714 - Professional Practice in Social Work A for students who are able to demonstrate that their prior work experience has provided them with the knowledge and experience that would normally be provided in the first placement.

There is a separate process in applying for this type of RPL and more information is available in RPL Guidelines.

Applications for RPL are due 30 March of the year students are due to undertake their first placement. Late applications cannot be accepted and students are encouraged to apply earlier than this if possible.

Hurdle requirement

  • Attendance at a 2 day intensive (practical experience workshop) held during trimester at Waterfront Campus.

2025 intensive dates and locations information will be available mid November.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.

Commonwealth Prac Payment

From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government is intending to introduce the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to assist eligible students with costs related to mandatory placements in higher education courses for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work.