Pathways to the Bachelor of Social Work
Before exploring your pathways to study, please select the kind of applicant you are via the tabs below. If you have graduated from Year 12 in the last two years, you are considered a recent Year 12 student. If you're unsure, learn more about your applicant type.
I'm a current or recent Year 12 student
Based on last year's rankings, your ATAR doesn't quite meet the requirements for this course. But that doesn't mean it's out of reach - ATARs can change from year to year, and there are plenty of other pathways to make your study goals a reality.
If your Year 12 studies have been impacted by difficult circumstances or other disadvantage, you could qualify for Deakin's Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) to boost your ATAR. Otherwise, you can follow an alternate pathway to your dream course:
Transfer from a related Deakin course or complete single Deakin units
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
Currently, bachelor degrees at Deakin require a minimum ATAR of 50. But that doesn't mean you can't plan for the future. Many Deakin courses recognise workplace experience, so you could seek to gain industry skills and knowledge by entering the workforce and apply for university at a later date. Or, if you want to continue studying, you can follow an alternate pathway to your dream course:
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
This course is available at the locations indicated above. You can choose from our range of locations across Victoria depending on your preferences and ATAR - giving you the freedom to follow a study path best-suited to your circumstances.
Based on last year's rankings, you meet the ATAR requirements for this course. Your next step is to visit the course page to check you meet any additional entry requirements. Then, you can confidently begin your application.
If your ATAR meets the requirements for the course, but not your preferred campus, you have a few options. You can start your studies straight away and apply to transfer your course after completing a certain number of units. If your Year 12 studies have been impacted by difficult circumstances or disadvantage, you could qualify for Deakin's Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) to boost your ATAR. Or, you can achieve a spot at your preferred campus by following an alternate pathway:
Transfer from a related Deakin course or complete single units
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
ATAR: Eligible ATAR is based on 2024 early and first round VTAC offers, including relevant adjustment factors. ATAR requirements for 2025 are currently unknown. Please use past ATAR only for guidance, as ATAR is subject to increase or decrease.
N/A: Course is not available at this location.
NP: Course is available at this location, but the ATAR is not published.
RC: Admission to this course is based on a range of criteria.
I'm not a current or recent Year 12 student
If you meet one of the minimum course entry requirements below, you can start your application right away. There may be additional course requirements, including English language criteria, so be sure to check the eligibility criteria on the course page before applying. If you don't meet the requirements, you could still achieve your study goals by following an alternate pathway or browsing similar courses.
Alternate pathways to the Bachelor of Social Work
Transfer from a related Deakin course
Gain valuable skills and knowledge to unlock your study options. With this pathway, you can start studying in a related Deakin course, before applying to transfer once you've achieved the requirements for your preferred degree. Course transfers are subject to availability and meeting the required course transfer guidelines for the degree. In some circumstances, a course transfer may require you to change your campus of study. To ensure you get on the right study path, it's a good idea to speak with a student adviser first and discuss your options. The following degree is a recommended pathway to this course:
Qualification from a Deakin partner
Our partners are a great stepping stone to study at Deakin University.
Many students who have completed a diploma or advanced diploma will be eligible for recognition for their study. Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at Deakin University.
Guaranteed RPL
Students who have successfully completed CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8cp* of guaranteed RPL.
* cp = credit point
- Bendigo TAFE
- Box Hill Institute
- Chisholm Institute
- Kangan Institute
- TAFE NSW
- South West TAFE
- The Gordon
- Other Partners
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing a qualification listed below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services - 8cp*
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing a qualification listed below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Eligible diplomas include:
- Community Services
- Mental Health
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing a qualification listed below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Eligible diplomas include:
- Community Services
- Counselling
- Mental Health
- Youth Work
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing a qualification listed below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services - 8cp*
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing a qualification listed below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Eligible diplomas include:
- Community Services
- Counselling
- Mental Health
- Youth Work
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing a qualification listed below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services - 8cp*
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing a qualification listed below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services - 8cp*
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
VACCHO provides vocational education and training to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community health sector. Deakin University is excited to partner with VACCHO to create pathways between our courses to open up more opportunities for further study.
Depending on the Deakin course you're interested in, eligible courses include:
- Diploma of Counselling
- Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
Qualification from other TAFEs and RTOs
If you are unable to study at a Deakin partner TAFE, you can choose to undertake similar study at another TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Applications from these institutions do not guarantee entry to Deakin, so be sure to boost your application with your study results, a resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Many students who have completed a diploma or advanced diploma will be eligible for recognition for their study. Find out more about recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Deakin University. For more information about non Deakin partner TAFEs and RTOs, visit myskills.gov.au.
Guaranteed RPL
Students who have successfully completed CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8cp of guaranteed RPL.