Bachelor of Human Services

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There are no upcoming offerings for the year 2025.
This course has no domestic offering.
This course has no international offering.

Do you want a career helping others? One where no two days are the same, and you can support people to thrive, even in challenging circumstances? Then study our Bachelor of Human Services – accredited by Community Work Australia (CWA). Studying online, you'll master foundational theory and cutting-edge ideas from across the human services sector then put it all into action on useful work placements.

Study human services – and choose from a wide range of majors – to launch a career wherever your passion lies. You could work in foster care or child welfare, assist homeless people or those struggling with addictions, or pursue a career in mental health. Whichever path you take, our human services degree will mean you can make a difference with skill, confidence and compassion.

Let us help you find the right degree.

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.

    Make a difference

    At Charles Sturt you can create a world worth living in. Let's do it together.

    Key information

    Study mode and sessions

    Online
    Next session start: July 14, 2025
    Session 1 : March 3, 2025
    Online
    Session 2 : July 14, 2025
    Online
    Session 3 : November 17, 2025
    Online

    Duration

    Minimum time - 3 year(s)
    Maximum time - 8 year(s)

    Entry score

    55

    Indicative fees

    Domestic online
    Commonwealth grant scheme (CGS):

    Full-time - $11,232.00 pa
    Part-time - $5,616.00 pa

    Course points and codes

    Credit Points: 192
    AQF: Level 7
    Cricos:

    Additional information

    • Work-integrated learning
    • Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program
    • First Nations Direct Entry Program
    • Professionally accredited course
    • Integrated Industry connections
    • On campus intensive school

    Applications close February 12

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    Find out more

    Why study with us?

    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.

    Progress your diploma

    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).

    Shape your future career

    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. 

    Graduate industry-ready

    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.

    Common first year

    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.

    Professional Accreditation

    This course is professionally accredited by -

    • Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

    Please refer to the Charles Sturt Professional Accreditation resource for specific information and a link to the accreditation body.

    Career opportunities

    When you graduate, you'll be ready to make your mark in a wide range of careers, including:

     

    • Aged care professional
    • Careers counsellors
    • Child protection officer
    • Community development officer or educator
    • Crisis counsellor or multicultural support officer
    • Disability care worker
    • Juvenile justice officer
    • Case worker and case manager

    What you will study

    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.

    Intensive school

    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.

    The course consists of sixteen (16) core subjects and one (1) major sequence OR eight (8) restricted elective subjects.

    Students admitted into the course with a specified credit package complete a reduced set of subjects in recognition of the credit, see Admission with Diploma course structures.

    Core subjects128 Credit Points

    Legend:
    • Intensive school
    • Workplace learning
    HCS102Communication and Human Services8 credit pts
    HCS104Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan8 credit pts
    HCS111Introduction to Human Services8 credit pts
    HCS204Research Methods8 credit pts
    HCS221Human Rights and Law for the Human Services8 credit pts
    HSS300Professional Development8 credit pts
    IKC101First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country8 credit pts
    PSY111Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services8 credit pts
    SOC101Understanding the Social World8 credit pts
    SOC102Social Inequality8 credit pts
    SPE211Foundations in Social Policy8 credit pts
    WEL118Human Services Organisations8 credit pts
    WEL231Holistic Eco-Social Approaches in Mental Health8 credit pts
    WEL232Work Place Learning in Human Services 18 credit pts
    WEL324Work Place Learning in Human Services 28 credit pts
    WEL325Counselling Skills for Human Services8 credit pts

    Without Major64 Credit Points

    Restricted electives64 Credit Points

    Legend:
    • Intensive school
    • Workplace learning
    Select eight (8) subjects from the following:
    GER404Ageing and Professional Practice8 credit pts
    HCS205Child Abuse and Child Protection8 credit pts
    HCS305Power, Oppression, Violence and Trauma8 credit pts
    HCS310Mental Health8 credit pts
    HCS321Welfare Practice with Children, Young People and their Carers8 credit pts
    HCS406Social Work and Human Rights8 credit pts
    HCS410Legal Issues in Child and Adolescent Welfare8 credit pts
    HSC216Suicide Prevention 8 credit pts
    HSC312Sexual Assault, Family Violence and Associated Trauma 8 credit pts
    HSC317Assessment, Diagnosis and Risk Management8 credit pts
    IKC100Indigenous Australian Health8 credit pts
    IKC102Indigenous Australian Cultures and Knowledge Systems8 credit pts
    JST204Young People and Crime8 credit pts
    LES202Contemporary Issues in Community Development8 credit pts
    PSY113Child and Adolescent Psychology8 credit pts
    PSY114First Nations Australians and Psychology: An Introduction8 credit pts
    PSY214Health Psychology8 credit pts
    PSY216Psychology of Ageing8 credit pts
    SOC215Gender, Family and Society8 credit pts
    SOC308Community Analysis8 credit pts
    SWK423Ethics and Social Work Practice8 credit pts
    WEL206Facilitating Positive Behaviours8 credit pts
    WEL217Social Dimensions of Disability8 credit pts
    WEL218Developing Cross Cultural Competencies8 credit pts
    WEL222Case Management8 credit pts
    WEL229Introduction to Addiction Studies8 credit pts
    WEL407Working alongside children and young people in Indigenous Australian communities8 credit pts
    WEL409Grief, Loss and Change8 credit pts
    WEL425Addiction - clinical practice in human services8 credit pts
    WEL426Disaster Recovery: A Human Services Perspective8 credit pts
    WEL427Transformative ecosocial change in human services8 credit pts
    WEL429Indigenous Australian Practice for Human Service Workers8 credit pts

    Major64 Credit Points

    Legend:
    • Intensive school
    • Workplace learning
    Select one (1) major from the following:
    AW0001Australian Indigenous Communities and Culture 64 credit pts
    DB0001Disability64 credit pts
    MH0001Mental Health and Addiction64 credit pts
    MW0001Multicultural Welfare64 credit pts
    SG0001Gerontology and Healthy Ageing64 credit pts
    YF0001Child, Youth and Family Practice64 credit pts

    Credit package72 Credit Points

    Legend:
    • Intensive school
    • Workplace learning
    The credit package reduces the number of core subjects required to complete the course.
    HCS72CHuman Services Credit Package 7272 credit pts

    Core subjects72 Credit Points

    Legend:
    • Intensive school
    • Workplace learning
    HCS102Communication and Human Services8 credit pts
    HCS104Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan8 credit pts
    HCS204Research Methods8 credit pts
    HSS300Professional Development8 credit pts
    IKC101First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country8 credit pts
    PSY111Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services8 credit pts
    SOC101Understanding the Social World8 credit pts
    SPE211Foundations in Social Policy8 credit pts
    WEL324Work Place Learning in Human Services 28 credit pts
    WEL325Counselling Skills for Human Services8 credit pts

    Restricted electives40 Credit Points

    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.

    Majors40 Credit Points

    Students with either the HCS64C or HCS72C package will receive credit for WEL218, WEL222, and one unspecified elective as part of a major sequence.

    Credit package 64 Credit Points

    Legend:
    • Intensive school
    • Workplace learning
    The credit package reduces the number of core subjects and major or restricted elective subjects required to complete the course.
    HCS64CHuman Services Credit Package 6464 credit pts

    Core subjects88 Credit Points

    Legend:
    • Intensive school
    • Workplace learning
    HCS102Communication and Human Services8 credit pts
    HCS104Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan8 credit pts
    HCS204Research Methods8 credit pts
    HSS300Professional Development8 credit pts
    IKC101First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country8 credit pts
    PSY111Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services8 credit pts
    SOC101Understanding the Social World8 credit pts
    SPE211Foundations in Social Policy8 credit pts
    WEL232Work Place Learning in Human Services 18 credit pts
    WEL324Work Place Learning in Human Services 28 credit pts
    WEL325Counselling Skills for Human Services8 credit pts

    Restricted electives40 Credit Points

    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.

    Majors40 Credit Points

    Students with either the HCS64C or HCS72C package will receive credit for WEL218, WEL222, and one unspecified elective as part of a major sequence.

    Australian Indigenous welfare

    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.

    Child, Youth and Family Practice

    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.

    Disability

    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.

    Gerontology and Healthy Ageing

    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.

    Human Services

    You can choose to graduate with a Bachelor of Human Services without specialisation by undertaking eight restricted electives across the specialisation subject areas.

    Mental Health and Addiction

    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.

    Multicultural Welfare

    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.

    For enrolment pattern please refer to the handbook.

    Graduation requirements

    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.

    Costs

    Calculate my fee

    The section below is designed to allow you to select the option specific to your circumstances to discover the course fee and course offering information appropriate for you.

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    How is this calculated?

    This is an estimate

    • Fees calculated based on 1 year of full-time study (ETSL).
    • Fees dependant on chosen subjects.
    • Subject to annual increase each year.

    Scholarships

    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 scholarships

    Entry requirements

    Selection rank:

    55

    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.

    Credit and pathways

    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.

    How to apply

    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.

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