Healthcare Social Worker

Healthcare Social Workers are registered professionals who work with hospital patients and people suffering from cancer and chronic disease. They help people navigate the medical system while dealing with the stress and psychological challenges associated with injury, illness, and disease.

As a Healthcare Social Worker you could be researching the medicare rebates and healthcare subsidies for a hospital patient, meeting with a cancer patient’s family members to discuss lifestyle changes that support their diagnosis, counselling a young teen who is in hospital after a car accident, preparing a longterm hospital patient for discharge, or discussing the special needs of a hospital patient with nursing staff.

Social Work is a rewarding career path and to succeed in the healthcare sector you’ll need excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with a team of doctors, nursing staff, and allied health professionals.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $78,000
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a healthcare social worker?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
4 years
$0 - $105,280
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services

Blended, On Campus, Online
8 - 18 months
$49 - $9,900
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker
Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Clinical Supervisor Community Health Liaison Addiction Counsellor Global Health Advisor Community Advocate Wellbeing Coordinator Social Work Supervisor Child Psychologist Family Therapist Community Rehabilitation Worker Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Program Evaluator Aged Care Coordinator Doula Community Recovery Officer Gerontologist Health Advisor
+ 80 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Clinical Supervisor Community Health Liaison Addiction Counsellor Global Health Advisor Community Advocate Wellbeing Coordinator Social Work Supervisor Child Psychologist Family Therapist Community Rehabilitation Worker Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Program Evaluator Aged Care Coordinator Doula Community Recovery Officer Gerontologist Health Advisor + 80 more
CHC53215

Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs

Blended, On Campus, Online
12 - 24 months
$0 - $18,127
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.

Master of Social Work

On Campus, Online
24 months
$0 - $71,280
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Common questions

Further reading

What do social workers do?

11th December 2019)

How to start a career in Social Work

18th May 2021)

What can you do with a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance?

7th September 2021)