BSWUG3005 Social Policy: Development and impact
In a society marked by increasingly inequitable distribution of resources, social workers require skills and knowledge to interpret, critique, and shape social policy. This course provides students with foundational knowledge about how social policy influences the lives of individuals, families, communities, and how social workers and the social work profession are influenced by, and can influence, social policy. Specifically, the course focuses on competing definitions of social policy, social welfare, the role of political ideologies and values in shaping policy development, implementation and evaluation. This course introduces students to the `social construction of problems¿ that influence the development, implementation of social policy using Carol Bacchi¿s critical social policy framework. The course will introduce students to social policy in action and apply theoretical frameworks of social policy to an area of social work practice, such as disability policy, housing and homelessness, family violence and poverty and welfare policy. Students will be required to develop skills to analyse discourses that underpin social policies, identify the political and ethical implications and advocate in macro settings.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government and students pay a contribution amount. Each unit is classified into a band, depending on the study area of the unit (this discipline may be different from the study area of your course).
2026 contribution amount* $2,175
2026 grandfathered contribution amount^ $997
Social Work Professional Pathway CSP unit fees
For the Social Work Professional Pathway band, the student contribution is determined by the unit Field of Education (FOE) code as well as the course in which you are enrolled. Only approved courses are eligible for the Social Work Professional Pathway fee.
2026 Social Work Professional Pathway $1,192
2026 grandfathered Social Work Professional Pathway $997
