SWM5103 Supervised professional practice 1
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
SWM5103 Supervised professional practice 1 is a level 5, 12-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. It isn't offered in 2026. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 12
- Offered in 2026
- Other periods
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before SWM5103
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After SWM5103
No unit lists SWM5103 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Must have completed SWM5115, SWM5116 and SWM5003.
Corequisite: Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate degree
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit will facilitate your entry into the social work profession across a range of practice fields. It comprises a minimum of 500 hours of supervised field education during which time you will observe, practice and critically reflect on the role of social work in a health or human services context.
Using experiences and learnings from the pre-fieldwork units and those acquired during the previous supervised practice unit, you will perform a range of social work interventions and assessment within the placement. Under the guidance of an Agency Supervisor and an allocated University Liaison Specialist, it is expected you will transition from beginning capability to demonstrating performance at the level expected of a newly qualified social worker.
The range of activities is aligned with the 2023 Practice Standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). These Practice Standards have informed nine learning outcomes to help you succeed. Under the guidance of a social work qualified Supervisor and an assigned University Liaison, you will demonstrate performance at the level expected of a beginning, developing social worker. Your progress through the unit will be aided by a learning agreement, mid-placement and end-of-placement reporting, critical reflection activities, and timesheets to ensure that you are meeting the AASW requirements for placement hours and supervision.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | Caulfield | Immersive |
| Trimester 3 | Caulfield | Immersive |
Assessment
- Learning Agreement (1,000 words) - Pass/FailArtefactCompetency hurdle-
- Mid-placement report (1,000 words) - Pass/FailWork integratedCompetency hurdle-
- End of placement report (1,500 words) - Pass/FailWork integratedCompetency hurdle-
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain and apply the AASW Code of Ethics to the practice context or setting.
- 2
Explain the impact of colonisation and institutionalised racism of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and identify culturally safe practices.
- 3
Use a range of social work knowledge, assessment and strategies appropriate to the area of practice and apply culturally responsive principles.
- 4
Explain and apply respectful and inclusive practices in regards to culture and diversity.
- 5
Apply theory, legislation, research and policy frameworks to practice situations experienced whilst on placement.
- 6
Apply contextual information to holistically assess risk, needs, strengths, goals and preferences of people.
- 7
Explain a beginning social work professional identity within the realm of the agency or area of practice.
- 8
Summarise the content of structured supervision sessions, professional development and identity and enact feedback received.
- 9
Identify and address where to strengthen practice and attend professional development activities.
Workload and teaching
500 hours - AASW set workload requirements for Field Placement
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Ms Maura Bevilacqua
- Unit Coordinators
- Di Rokvic
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for SWM5103?
SWM5103 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is SWM5103 offered?
SWM5103 has no offerings listed in the 2026 handbook.
Does SWM5103 have an exam?
No. SWM5103 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.