This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.
Social work or human services? Find the right degree for you.
Domestic online
Commonwealth grant scheme (CGS):
Full-time - $11,232.00 pa
Part-time - $5,616.00 pa
Already have a Diploma of Counselling, Disability or Community Service? You could be eligible for credit towards the Bachelor of Human Services – and graduate sooner. Contact us to learn more.
Charles Sturt University has more than 50 years' experience delivering human services education. Our Bachelor of Human Services is offered online and is highly valued by industry and employers.
This degree supports graduates of the two-year full-time (or equivalent) Diploma of Community Services or similar provided by Australian TAFE and registered training organisations. If you have completed this diploma or similar, the credit awarded towards your degree could reduce the course duration to as little as 1.5 years full-time (3 years part-time).
Choose from a wide range of majors including Australian Indigenous Communities and Culture, Child, Youth and Family Practice, Disability, Gerontology and Healthy Ageing, Mental Health and Addiction, and Multicultural Welfare. If you can't choose between these you can always decide to graduate with a broader generic Bachelor of Human Services instead.
This human services course is widely recognised as a base-grade qualification to secure employment with a range of human services agencies across the Australian Commonwealth, state and territory governments as well as non-government charities and private service providers.
Gain a solid grounding in a common first year that is shared with the Bachelor of Social Work allowing you flexibility and a taste of both degrees.
This course is professionally accredited by -
Please refer to the Charles Sturt Professional Accreditation resource for specific information and a link to the accreditation body.
When you graduate, you'll be ready to make your mark in a wide range of careers, including:
For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.
You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.
| HCS102 | Communication and Human Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS104 | Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS111 | Introduction to Human Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS204 | Research Methods | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS221 | Human Rights and Law for the Human Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| HSS300 | Professional Development | 8 credit pts | ||
| IKC101 | First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country | 8 credit pts | ||
| PSY111 | Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| SOC101 | Understanding the Social World | 8 credit pts | ||
| SOC102 | Social Inequality | 8 credit pts | ||
| SPE211 | Foundations in Social Policy | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL118 | Human Services Organisations | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL231 | Holistic Eco-Social Approaches in Mental Health | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL232 | Work Place Learning in Human Services 1 | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL324 | Work Place Learning in Human Services 2 | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL325 | Counselling Skills for Human Services | 8 credit pts |
| Select eight (8) subjects from the following: | ||||
| GER404 | Ageing and Professional Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS205 | Child Abuse and Child Protection | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS305 | Power, Oppression, Violence and Trauma | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS310 | Mental Health | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS321 | Welfare Practice with Children, Young People and their Carers | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS406 | Social Work and Human Rights | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS410 | Legal Issues in Child and Adolescent Welfare | 8 credit pts | ||
| HSC216 | Suicide Prevention | 8 credit pts | ||
| HSC312 | Sexual Assault, Family Violence and Associated Trauma | 8 credit pts | ||
| HSC317 | Assessment, Diagnosis and Risk Management | 8 credit pts | ||
| IKC100 | Indigenous Australian Health | 8 credit pts | ||
| IKC102 | Indigenous Australian Cultures and Knowledge Systems | 8 credit pts | ||
| JST204 | Young People and Crime | 8 credit pts | ||
| LES202 | Contemporary Issues in Community Development | 8 credit pts | ||
| PSY113 | Child and Adolescent Psychology | 8 credit pts | ||
| PSY114 | First Nations Australians and Psychology: An Introduction | 8 credit pts | ||
| PSY214 | Health Psychology | 8 credit pts | ||
| PSY216 | Psychology of Ageing | 8 credit pts | ||
| SOC215 | Gender, Family and Society | 8 credit pts | ||
| SOC308 | Community Analysis | 8 credit pts | ||
| SWK423 | Ethics and Social Work Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL206 | Facilitating Positive Behaviours | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL217 | Social Dimensions of Disability | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL218 | Developing Cross Cultural Competencies | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL222 | Case Management | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL229 | Introduction to Addiction Studies | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL407 | Working alongside children and young people in Indigenous Australian communities | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL409 | Grief, Loss and Change | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL425 | Addiction - clinical practice in human services | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL426 | Disaster Recovery: A Human Services Perspective | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL427 | Transformative ecosocial change in human services | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL429 | Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers | 8 credit pts |
| Select one (1) major from the following: | ||||
| AW0001 | Australian Indigenous Communities and Culture | 64 credit pts | ||
| DB0001 | Disability | 64 credit pts | ||
| MH0001 | Mental Health and Addiction | 64 credit pts | ||
| MW0001 | Multicultural Welfare | 64 credit pts | ||
| SG0001 | Gerontology and Healthy Ageing | 64 credit pts | ||
| YF0001 | Child, Youth and Family Practice | 64 credit pts |
| The credit package reduces the number of core subjects required to complete the course. | ||||
| HCS72C | Human Services Credit Package 72 | 72 credit pts |
| HCS102 | Communication and Human Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS104 | Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS204 | Research Methods | 8 credit pts | ||
| HSS300 | Professional Development | 8 credit pts | ||
| IKC101 | First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country | 8 credit pts | ||
| PSY111 | Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| SOC101 | Understanding the Social World | 8 credit pts | ||
| SPE211 | Foundations in Social Policy | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL324 | Work Place Learning in Human Services 2 | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL325 | Counselling Skills for Human Services | 8 credit pts |
Students with either the HCS64C or HCS72C package will receive credit for WEL218, WEL222, and one unspecified elective. Students will qualify for the Bachelor of Human Services degree by completing any additional 5 additional restricted electives from the list provided.
Students with either the HCS64C or HCS72C package will receive credit for WEL218, WEL222, and one unspecified elective as part of a major sequence.
| The credit package reduces the number of core subjects and major or restricted elective subjects required to complete the course. | ||||
| HCS64C | Human Services Credit Package 64 | 64 credit pts |
| HCS102 | Communication and Human Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS104 | Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan | 8 credit pts | ||
| HCS204 | Research Methods | 8 credit pts | ||
| HSS300 | Professional Development | 8 credit pts | ||
| IKC101 | First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country | 8 credit pts | ||
| PSY111 | Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| SOC101 | Understanding the Social World | 8 credit pts | ||
| SPE211 | Foundations in Social Policy | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL232 | Work Place Learning in Human Services 1 | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL324 | Work Place Learning in Human Services 2 | 8 credit pts | ||
| WEL325 | Counselling Skills for Human Services | 8 credit pts |
Students with either the HCS64C or HCS72C package will receive credit for WEL218, WEL222, and one unspecified elective. Students will qualify for the Bachelor of Human Services degree by completing any additional 5 additional restricted electives from the list provided.
Students with either the HCS64C or HCS72C package will receive credit for WEL218, WEL222, and one unspecified elective as part of a major sequence.
Develop your understanding of Indigenous history, health and culture and then apply your knowledge in a human services setting. Show your commitment to social justice and the process of reconciliation for Indigenous Australian communities which is based on an understanding of culture, experience, histories and contemporary issues.
Learn about child welfare, wellbeing and the delivery of social services to children, young people and their families. Work to strengthen families and help them respond and adapt to change. Careers include child protection practitioner, case manager, juvenile justice worker, domestic violence worker, youth worker, counsellor and family worker.
Develop your skills and knowledge related to the health and wellbeing of people who have a disability and with the provision of social welfare services to them. Work as a community development officer, community educator, crisis intervention worker, case worker, case manager or project officer.
Focus on the health and wellbeing of older people and the delivery of social welfare services to this group. You can build a career as an aged care worker, community development officer, community educator, crisis intervention worker, case worker, case manager or care coordinator.
You can choose to graduate with a Bachelor of Human Services without specialisation by undertaking eight restricted electives across the specialisation subject areas.
Gain the skills and knowledge to commence your career in the mental health or drug and alcohol areas. Choose this specialisation if you're interested in a career as a mental health counsellor, case manager, drug and alcohol worker, intake and assessment officer, community development officer or educator.
Develop cross-cultural competencies and explore human rights and international social development. Careers include case manager, community development officer, community educator and crisis intervention worker.
Brush up on your skills with our short, online subjects that prepare you for university. Topics range from essay writing and grammar, to maths, statistics, and chemistry - best of all they're free for most Australian residents. Visit Study Link to see our full range of subjects.
As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.
This is an estimate
We have scholarships and grants, totalling over $11 million annually!
They cover various areas such as academic performance, volunteering, sports achievements, community service, specific courses, on-campus living and individuals in unique circumstances.
Explore scholarships55
Learn about how our selection ranks are calculated (including ATARs and adjustment factors).
View the course profile for this course.
A recognised diploma (or AQF equivalent) from the Australian Community Workers Association or a Registered Training Organisation with a work place learning component (refer to credit and pathways section for details)
OR
Minimum ATAR required (including adjustment factors)
OR
Successful completion of two University level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies
OR
A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification undertaken post-secondary schooling
OR
50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification
OR
Successful completion of a Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies
OR
Successful completion of the CSU Connections Program
OR
Successful application via the Schools Recommendation Scheme
OR
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR
Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply. Click here to view the specific international course entry requirements.
If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. Which would mean completing your qualification quicker. Find out how to apply for credit and see our credit policy.
Check your eligibility for credit
We also have several admission pathways to help you take the step into your preferred course, even if you don't quite meet the entry requirements at first. Find out what admission pathways are available to you.
Applying to Charles Sturt University is easy. Choose how you want to apply below, or get in touch with Charles Sturt University and we can help you with your application.
Important dates
Check out our direct application closing dates
If you're a First Nations person, you have a wealth of knowledge and support from your ancestors, so push on; this degree will help eradicate ignorance by educating people. If you're non-First Nations, the course is a strong step towards reconciliation.
