About Us
Social Work at The University of Melbourne was first established in 1941. In 2007, the School of Social Work became a joint school with Nursing within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences. Social Work and Nursing share research strengths and expertise in areas such as mental health, chronic care management and service delivery, aged care, and family and child welfare. The formation of a joint school will ensure that Social Work at The University of Melbourne remains a leading provider of professional social work education within Australia.
We have strong partnerships with major health and social welfare agencies including the Department of Human Services, the Royal Children's Hospital, Anglicare and Jesuit Social Services. Our students benefit directly from this established dialogue with professional, government and community-based services. Social Work caters for a diverse array of interests for students in the areas of child and family welfare; juvenile justice; mental health; aged services, health and rehabilitation.
Specialising in Social Work prepares students for professional practice in a diverse range of fields. It provides students with a nationally and internationally benchmarked course of study in the theory and practice of social work, and the chance to participate in a rigorous and rich interdisciplinary learning environment. Students have the opportunity to study under the guidance of internationally renowned staff who are passionate about their work and retain a strong commitment to community service and social justice. Teaching is informed by a substantial research program and is enhanced by innovative developments in multimedia and experiential learning. Social Work graduates are keenly sought by human service agencies and employment outcomes are exceptional.
Careers
Graduates from Social Work at The University of Melbourne work in a range of demanding and rewarding positions both in Australia and internationally, in Senior Management, Policy, Research and Direct Practice positions
Graduates have found employment in the following broad fields of practice:
- Government – Federal, State and Local Government agencies
- Health – Hospitals, Community Health and Rehabilitation Centres
- Mental Health – Acute and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
- Family Services
- Aging Services
- Education
- Disability Services
- Child Services
- Migration, Refugee and Settlement Services
- Income Security and Welfare
- Community Services
- Indigenous Services
- Housing and Accommodation/Homelessness
- Employment Services
- Legal and Advocacy Services
- Correctional Services
Graduates from our school currently hold senior positions in the following organizations: Amnesty International; the Guardianship Tribunal; Richmond Fellowship; Jesuit Social Services; the Brotherhood of St. Laurence; Anglicare; the Department of Human Services; St. Vincent’s Hospital; the Royal Children’s Hospital; Wintringham; the Victorian Government; and Uniting Care Aged Services.
They hold a variety of roles such as: Chief Executive Officers; Managers of Community Services; Assessment Officers in Aged Services; Case Managers; Outreach Workers; Child Protection Workers; Tribunal Board members; Community Developers/ Planners; and Advocates/Ombudsmen.