Media releases

Federation University Australia is launching two new social work courses to address skills shortages in Gippsland’s human services sector.

The Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work (Qualifying) (Children & Families) courses, offered from 2024, have been co-designed with local industry partners to meet workforce needs and will give Gippsland students the opportunity to study closer to home, where they can maintain ties to their community and families.

Research across the local community service sector has found close to 250 roles will be needed in Gippsland in the near future.

Social workers are employed in a variety of government, non-government and community organisations that provide counselling, advocacy, community development, policy development and research in areas like early intervention and child protection, family support, community health, housing, disability, justice and aged care.

As part of the new courses, students will take on real-life situations in social work settings through 140 days of work placement with the support of experienced professionals in the sector.

Industry partnerships are a key element of Federation’s co-operative education model, where all courses from 2025 will be designed, developed and delivered in collaboration with industry, and where students will receive work integrated learning to give them a valuable head-start in their career.

Gippsland Bachelor of Social Work students will also be eligible to apply for the Gippsland Primary Health Network Scholarship, announced in July, which will provide financial support to students for the entire period of their degree.

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) (Children & Families) is designed to equip social workers with the skills and knowledge they need to take on leadership positions in the human services sector.

For more information on the new social work programs, visit https://study.federation.edu.au.

Details about Federation’s scholarship programs can be found at https://federation.edu.au/connect/foundation/scholarships.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Wendy Cross

“As Victoria’s premier regional university, we are working with industry to help address local workforce shortages and we are incredibly proud to collaborate with the Gippsland human services sector to offer these new social work courses.”  

“These courses have been co-designed in association with our industry partners and will equip students with the skills, knowledge and real-world experience they need to meet the high demand for social work graduates.”

Quotes attributable to Anglicare Victoria Gippsland Regional Director, Vicki Levey

“The Gippsland community will be the biggest winners from Federation University’s decision to offer two new social work courses in the region from 2024. Local people will gain access to more skilled and qualified staff, and Anglicare Victoria will work closely with Federation University to develop the knowledge and skills of its students, while also providing hands-on sector experience and support to our future social workers.”

“There is a significant need for social workers in Gippsland. These courses will give local people the opportunity to obtain a qualification and find a job close to home – it also means we can support our existing staff to further their studies within the social welfare sector.”