Overview

The Bachelor of Human Services is a professional, integrated and comprehensive human services course that offers comprehensive up to date knowledge and experience discipline-specific, practical and applied training. From core learning and the development of critical skills and thinking, through to the development of ethical practice and professionalism, you’ll emerge as a competent practitioner.

You will expand and practice applying your knowledge through latest case studies, unique problem solving, group collaboration, essays, practical exercises, unique professional placements, action research, and quizzes.

You will become a ‘work-ready’ graduate with acquired knowledge and experience in all aspects of contemporary human services. You’ll gain both depth and breadth in human services as well as study more specialised options.

As a graduate of EQUALS you will:

• demonstrate a commitment to the service of humanity through an expression of humility and compassion
• advocate for diversity, justice, and equality and seek to empower others
• demonstrate professional competence in all aspects of human services and community work delivery
• strive to maintain the highest professional standards of care and personal integrity; and
• be committed to continuing to improve your own professional practice through learning and the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

The Bachelor of Human Services is recognised by the *Australian Community Workers Association.

* Bachelor degree level courses must be delivered over a minimum of three academic years) of full time study (or part-time equivalent) to satisfy ACWA accreditation requirements.  As such, Students seeking to meet ACWA requirements for migration skills assessment must undertake the standard study mode and not the accelerated study mode.  Students should seek advice from ACWA for their specific situation.

Nested Courses

The Bachelor of Human Services includes one shorter award course, or nested course:

Diploma in Human Services– Students who have successfully completed the first 8 units of the Bachelor of Human Services may enrol in or exit with the Diploma.

Why Choose This Course?

Human services play a critical role in society. It is an expanding field that serves people of all cultures and contexts and so it looks to employ qualified staff from all cultures and contexts. When you have finished your studies, you will be qualified to join the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) and to work as a Human Services practitioner within this expanding sector.

The EQUALS Bachelor of Human Services has been provisionally accredited by ACWA. ACWA course accreditation standards have been set by a panel of educationalists, employers and practitioners who have worked with ACWA to determine the specific training and education needs of community workers and students.  This recognition by the ACWA is the mark of educational quality in Australia’s community services sector (ACWA 2022).

Course Outcomes

The Bachelor of Human Services provides you with a broad and cohesive knowledge of key theories and practice relevant to the human services for application in a range of professional contexts and to instil a commitment to sustainable practice and ongoing professional development and learning.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Human Services will be able to:

• Apply a broad, coherent and integrated knowledge of theory and practice in the human services environment
• Demonstrate a depth of knowledge in the underlying principles and concepts of human services including policy development, ethics and legal practice, financial management, people management, and specific policy areas as a basis for ethical professional practice and independent learning
• Critically review and analyse administrative and discipline-specific knowledge and practice, and synthesise information for effective decision making
• Apply technical and creative skills to manage core human services operations and resolve problems and difficulties through critical and innovative thinking and informed judgement in accordance with ethical and professional business practices
• Communicate knowledge, skills, and ideas with clarity and coherence to develop and influence collaborative and cooperative relationships with business, industry, and clinical stakeholders
• Apply knowledge and skills with initiative and informed judgment in human services planning, problem solving and decision making processes
• Work collaboratively in teams
• Adapt knowledge, concepts, and technical skills in diverse contexts and settings
• Demonstrate responsibility and accountability in the application of knowledge and skills for professional practice, ongoing professional development, and when working in collaboration with stakeholders.

Possible Career Pathways

The human services sector is a vital part of any vibrant community and offers a wide variety of opportunity and career pathways both in Australia and internationally. People seeking a career in the human services sector seek to create positive change through better access to health and wellbeing services. They have a curiosity to learn and to adapt to our changing world. Most importantly, they demonstrate a commitment to serve others.

A number of factors in Australia are contributing to a need for more Bachelor of Human Services graduates:

• Family and young people – expanding need
• Growing aging population
• Migration
• New funding initiatives in the aged care and disability sectors
• Homeless and social need
• Juvenile justice
• Community development
• Support services for women, children, young people, older people, migrant and refugee resettlement, rehabilitation services, policy and program development.

Job opportunities are strong with growing demand for human service graduates in a range of areas. Human Service graduates can consider careers such as:

• Health Promotion Officer
• Welfare Worker/Community Worker
• Family Support Officer
• Community Development Officer
• Project Manager
• Social Researcher
• Welfare Worker/Community Worker (i.e. outreach, community services, child protection, family services, recovery support, youth, placement support, bushfire case support program, intake and mobile support, welfare, community liaison, disaster relief, preservation case)
• Counsellor (i.e. abuse, wellbeing, telephone)
• Officer (i.e. juvenile probation, child safety, tenancy, community development, policy development, child safety, client services, intake and assessment)
• Practitioner (i.e. child protection)
• Advocate (i.e. disability)
• Analyst (i.e. policy, change)
• Job Coach
• Project Manager
• Case Manager

Types of career advancement jobs when you have 3 or more years of work experience after you graduate:

• Health Service Manager
• Welfare Manager
• Case Manager
• Regional Manager
• Program Manager
• Coordinator (i.e. kinship and family care, roster, community services, support, Aboriginal services, placement services, disability services, local area, service delivery).
• Team Leader (i.e. disability services team, gambling)
• Manager (i.e. allied services and wellbeing, intake and support, family wellbeing, service, consumer engagement)
• Chief Operations Officer
• Senior Officer
• Services Manager (i.e. family participation)
• Operations Manager (i.e. child, youth, family).

Types of employers and services where you may work include:

• Councils
• Individuals
• Not for profit organisations
• Government agencies
• Community services
• Healthcare services
• Social services
• Unemployment services
• Rehabilitation services
• Remand services
• Peak bodies
• Social services
• Healthcare providers
• Aged care organisations
• Hospitals
• Justice providers
• Service providers related to crime
• Schools
• Family based care providers
• Private care providers
• Specially funded projects.

Entry Requirements

Academic and English language Entry Requirements are available here.

Qualify for Special Entry

Applicants in any category whose study, work or life experiences have been impacted by disability, illness or family disruption will be given special consideration for admission. Each application will be considered on its merit, based on the evidence supplied by the applicant attesting to the circumstances of the applicant.

Applicants for special entry may need to complete written or numerical tasks to assist with assessing eligibility for admission.

Interview

Applicants participate in an admissions interview in person or via a web-based video meeting. This is an important opportunity to meet an Admissions Advisor who will spend time understanding your application and career goals. It is also an ideal opportunity to ask questions and learn more about student life at EQUALS.

Additional Course Specific Entry Requirements

Applicants participate in an admissions interview in person or via a web-based video meeting. This is an important opportunity to meet an Admissions Advisor who will spend time understanding your application and career goals. It is also an ideal opportunity to ask questions and learn more about student life at EQUALS.

Regardless of your nominated entry pathway, you are required to support your application by demonstrating your capacity to meet the academic, ethical and participation demands of your program of choice at interview or, where requested by Admissions staff, through a written statement of purpose (SoP).

English Language Requirements

English Language proficiency requirements are applicable to international students and in addition to academic or special entry requirements noted in the Entry Requirements section.  Discover English language Entry Requirements.

Study Units

Location: This course is delivered at the Adelaide campus.

Full time study duration:

• By standard study mode (2 trimesters per academic year) = 3 years full time equivalent

The course structure: This course has 14 core units; 4 elective units and 3 trimesters of timetabled professional practice placement, which involves 528 hours of supervised placement across the second and third years of standard study mode. This enables graduates to qualify for ACWA membership at the end of their course. View a copy of the Course Diagram.

Professional practice placements represent the equivalent of one (10 credit point) unit in each of the Study Periods they appear.

In the first year, the course includes the following core, foundational units:

• Introduction to social and human services in Australia (100 level)
• Principles of professional practice and business management skills (100 level)
• Communications skills for human services professionals (100 level)
• Culture, diversity, and gender (100 level)
• Legal and ethical dimensions of human services practice (100 level)
• Foundations of psychology (100 level).

As part of your first-year studies, you will have the opportunity to engage with a broad range of Human Services organisations that are engaged in serving our local community. This exposure to what is a highly diverse sector will prepare you for professional practice industry placements in your second and third year.

Practical placement units occur in the fourth and sixth trimester of the course, or as negotiated, authorised alternative in special circumstances.

A minimum of 400 hours of equivalent practical placements is required to meet the professional experience requirements for registration with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).

Graduate Attributes and Skills

Graduates of the Bachelor of Human Services course will be professional practitioners who:

• demonstrate a commitment to the service of humanity through an expression of humility and compassion
• advocate for diversity, justice, and equality and seek to empower others
• demonstrate professional competence in all aspects of human services and community work delivery
• strive to maintain the highest professional standards of care and personal integrity; and
• are committed to continuing to improve their own professional practice through learning and the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

As a graduate you will be:

• equipped with the cognitive and analytical skills, judgement, and decision making abilities necessary to succeed in the human services/health management sector
• encouraged and enabled to be advocates of lifelong learning and ethical practice
• well-equipped to achieve your own goals and ambitions within the sector
• eligible for membership of professional groups, organisations, and industry peak bodies; and
• equipped with skills and attributes to continue on to further study.

Course Accreditation

EQUALS is a registered Higher Education Provider under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Act 2011 and the Bachelor of Human Services is accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

Provider registration number: PRV14279

Course ID: CRS1400640

The Bachelor of Human Services is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework

The Bachelor of Human Services has received provisional accreditation with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).

Academic Calendar and Enrolment Dates

Each trimester study period has 12 weeks of class time, with 5 weeks between the last class date and the start date of the next trimester. For units with exams, these are held in the week after the study week after classes end.

Intake trimester start and end dates are as per the three year published academic calendar for that year and study period. Classes may be subject to change, subject to student numbers.

Please find the current Academic Calendar here.

Special/Alternative Admission Arrangements

Please refer to the Extended Course Information for details on Entry Requirements.

Detailed Fees & Charges

EQUALS adopts a simple approach to tuition fees. This means that most additional incidental costs (other than those specified in the annual Fee Schedule) are covered in the tuition fee. This makes budgeting and paying for your studies simpler. For example, the following fees are included in the one fee and not levied separately.

GST is not applicable for accredited higher education courses.

Tuition fees are subject to annual review and adjustment. Actual tuition fees payable are the fees published prior to the commencement of each academic year for that year.

Access the Fee Schedule (Tuition and Non-Tuition) on the provided link or on the Forms and Downloads page.

FEE-HELP Loans

The Bachelor of Human Services is FEE-HELP approved for eligible students.

The FEE-HELP Loan scheme is a loan program designed to help eligible students enrol and gain a quality higher level Higher Education and Training at EQUALS who could not otherwise afford to pay fees upfront.

Applications

Please feel free to ask us a question to find out more, or if you’re ready, please submit an online Application for enrolment by clicking here.

If you have any questions about this course please feel free to contact an Admissions Advisor at admissions@equals.edu.au providing your preferred contact details and we will get back to you as soon as practicable. Expressions of Interest for a particular course of study can be made at any time.

Assessment of Applications

Applications are typically assessed within a 5 day period however delays may apply in peak periods.

Your application for admission is assessed by an Admissions Advisor.

Applicants who apply to undertake a course of study must submit certified documentary evidence to demonstrate that they meet the published entry requirements of their chosen course. An original or certified copy of documentation must be provided and sighted by the Admissions Advisor.

Qualifications submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified official translation.

Where there is any doubt about the authenticity of any documentation provided, the Admissions Advisor may correspond with the issuer of the document and make relevant enquiries.

All non-standard (non-typical) applications and their assessment are validated by the Academic Director.

Enrolment Variation Options

Students may apply to take a leave of absence from a course (defer) for up to 12 months in duration. International students can only access a leave of absence during a course in limited circumstances (compassionate and compelling circumstances) including:

• Serious illness or injury, where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes
• Instances where EQUALS is unable to offer a pre-requisite unit
• An intervention strategy for students at risk of not meeting satisfactory course progress
• Bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents
• Major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country that require emergency travel and this has impacted on the student’s studies
• A traumatic experience which could include:
• Involvement in, or witnessing of a serious accident, or
• Witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime, and this has impacted on the student (these cases should be supported by police or psychologists’ reports)
• Inability to begin due to a delay in receiving a student visa.

It’s really important for you to be familiar with the policies and procedures so that you can be sure to notify EQUALS within the appropriate time and in the correct way. This helps ensure that you won’t be financially or academically penalised if it can be avoided.

For more details please refer to Enrolment Variation Policy and Procedure.

Credit for Prior Learning and Advanced Standing

If you have completed formal studies in a similar area or have work experience you may be eligible for credit through a recognition for prior learning pathway.

Read through the Credit for Prior Learning Policy and Procedure carefully and consider your readiness to apply.  When ready, you may submit an Application webform together with your supporting evidence.

If you wish to be granted credit for prior study or learning, please apply for credit for recognition of prior learning on the associated form with your application for enrolment.

Offers and Acceptance

If you are made an offer to study at EQUALS, you will receive a Letter of Offer which will include step-by-step details on how to accept your offer. This Letter of Offer is based on the documented evidence provided and subject to the application meeting the published entry criteria. It is important that you carefully read and understand the Letter of Offer. Any conditions of the offer are clearly specified in the Letter of Offer.

If you have any questions, please contact an Admissions Advisor at +61 8 8110 1200 or by email at admissions@equals.edu.au.

Applications are assessed in accordance with the Student Selection and Admissions Policy and Procedure.

Cancellation of Enrolment

Your enrolment may be cancelled if statements made by you in your application for enrolment are proven to be false.

You will be deemed to be no longer enrolled in a course if you have been excluded on academic or disciplinary grounds.

Appeals

EQUALS has established an appeal process to ensure that academic/non-academic student concerns (or matters) are treated in a transparent, timely and just manner. EQUALS ensures that you have access to a fair and equitable process for dealing with grievances and provides an avenue for you to appeal against decisions that might affect your progress.

An applicant may appeal against a decision to refuse admission to a course. The grounds for appeal are that the decision is inconsistent with EQUALS’ policy. Appeals must be made in writing and lodged with the Academic Director within twenty working days of the applicant receiving written notification of the decision to refuse their application.

The Academic Director responds in writing to the appeal within twenty working days and may confirm or vary the decision. All decisions made by the Academic Director regarding appeals are reviewed by the Board of Directors (Non-Academic grievances) or the Academic Board (Academic grievances).

If an applicant remains dissatisfied with the outcome of their appeal against a decision to refuse admission to a course they may utilise EQUALS’ Student Grievance Handling Policy and Procedure (Academic and Non-Academic).

Student Orientation Week

Following enrolment and prior to commencing the course, you’ll be invited to attend a compulsory, comprehensive Student Orientation program.

The Orientation program will introduce you to EQUALS and orient you to various aspects of life and study with EQUALS, including:

• Life and responsibilities at EQUALS in Adelaide
• All about your course – the Diploma in Human Services
• Meet some of your educators and ask some questions
• Introduction to Work Integrated Learning
• Surviving and thriving with EQOnline
• Accessing resources and using Library Services
• Study Skills
• Academic Integrity
• Academic Writing and Research Skills
• Student Support
• Understanding your Rights and Obligations (International Students)
• Your Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Student voice and representation: valuing and caring for each other and EQUALS
• Social and networking events with fellow students, employers and EQUALS staff.

Support Services

EQUALS staff are available to support you, both before you enrol and following your enrolment. You can chat with us via live web chat or alternatively contact a Student Services Advisor by submitting a Student Services Support Ticket.

Our support services include:

• academic issues
• general study assistance
• disability support
• pastoral care (including help with personal, social issues)
• student grants
• scholarships
• study allowances and financial support (including child care assistance)
• special needs assistance and
• hardship related issues.

Additional external information can be found at the following websites:

• Austudy provides financial support to eligible Australian students
• Abstudy provides financial support to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• Being Well – Headspace is the national youth mental health foundation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of young Australians.
• Student Start Up Loans provides information regarding financial assistance with initial study costs.
• Student Payments and Scholarships outlines information from the Study Assist site, on payments and scholarships
• Study Assist provides information for students about Australian Government help for tertiary study, including information about subsidised fees and government loans.
• Youth Disability Supplement providing information for young students between the age of 18 and 22 living with different abilities.

Intellectual Property

EQUALS makes no claim to ownership of intellectual property created by students in the course of their studies.

Student Representation

The student representative feedback important actions and news monthly to the class managers and the students via the student newsletter and social media.

Student Representation on the Academic Board

Students are represented on EQUALS’ Academic Board and on the Learning and Teaching Committee to provide input about the learning and teaching environment and any other matters that directly, or indirectly, affect students. This provides a mechanism for students to participate in the academic decision-making processes at EQUALS.

Students are advised of how they can nominate to become a member of the Academic Board as part of their Induction and Orientation program.

Student Representatives

Student Representatives are elected by students, for students. They are also an important communication link between student and the management at EQUALS. Student Representatives should be:

• committed and caring individuals who are keen to support fellow students
• able to represent peers in a just and positive manner, and
• be able to identify innovations and improvements to courses and student services.

Student Representatives participate in regular meetings with key leadership staff and contribute to the overall operations and direction of EQUALS.

EQUALS Glossary of Terms

Available here.

Further Information

We also recommend that you familiarise yourself with the documents on the Policies and Procedures page so that you understand your obligations and rights and our obligations to you.

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements are a vital and exciting part of your Bachelor of Human Services course. This section contains comprehensive information about your placement.

Please be aware that WIL placements as timetabled every second trimester are a compulsory component of your course.

Your timetable preserves Thursdays and Fridays for you to undertake your practice placement (Prac) study load.

Each Prac A and B are equivalent to a full time unit of study of 10 credit points across 12 weeks and are timetabled together, with some scheduled classes for follow up and direct learning making them a double unit together in one study period or 20 credit points.

This enables flexibility for negotiating actual Prac hours with the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) partner. EQUALS endeavours to arrange required placement hours to fit both your host and your own preferences as best as practicable.

What EQUALS does for you:

• The WIL Advisor consults with you regarding your professional interests and placement availability
• Books and confirms the placement with both parties and advises the Course Coordinator and placement supervisor
• Advises of checks and clearances required, contact details and exact costs *as there may be additional costs during placement
• Orders your T-Shirt uniform in the correct size.

Work Integrated Learning Experience Requirements

Academic

Students must pass the prerequisite units before beginning placement.

Three Professional Practice Placement Units

In order to receive the award of a Bachelor of Human Services degree, students must complete the following units and are directed to the respective Study Guides for unit specific information:

PRAC 100: Professional Practice Placement Introductory

PRAC 200: Professional Practice Placement Intermediate

PRAC 300: Professional Practice Placement Advanced

Placement Duration

In fulfilment of placement requirements, students complete a total of 528 hours which consists of the following:

PRAC 100                  120 hours               16 hours per week

PRAC 200                  204 hours              16 hours per week

PRAC 300                  204 hours              16 hours per week

Hours must be completed during the WIL Partner’s normal working hours provided and to a maximum of 8 hours per day. Any hours worked over this should be taken as time in lieu during the placement period according to the WIL Partner policies.

Placement Timing

Placements are offered in trimester 2, trimester 4 and trimester 6. Placements have to be completed within one teaching period. Small variations including extensions may be approved by the Professional Practice Placement Coordinator.

Placement Setting

The following are essential requirements:

• Two of the three placements must be in different fields of practice
• Two of the three placements should be in different organisations
• At least two of the three placements must involve face-to-face, direct service delivery.

As a general rule, WIL Partners do not accept students who have been former service users and do not accept students who have relatives or partners working in the same office or in senior positions in the WIL Partner.

WIL Partners

EQUALS maintains a range of professional relationships with WIL Partners across the sectors including disability, health, ageing, early childhood education and youth.

Screening Checks

EQUALS requires higher education students to undergo a screening check for five types of screening prior to commencement of placement. These types of screening are: child related employment, disability services employment, aged care sector employment, vulnerable person employment and general employment probity.

Students are required to have a current Screening Check clearance letter prior to the commencement of the Professional Practice Placement. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the clearance letter remains current for the duration of the placement. The Placement Coordinator can assist the student with this application process.

Further information can be obtained from the DCSI website at:

http://screening.dcsi.sa.gov.au/screening-process/how-to-apply

• EQUALS insurance covers public liability and personal accidents whilst on placement, but personal property is not covered. Please consult the PPP Human Services Manual for full details.

Please visit the WIL Hub on EQOnline for further placement related questions and documentation requirements.