SWM5133 The Australian welfare state and social policy
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
SWM5133 The Australian welfare state and social policy is a level 5, 6-credit-point, undergraduate and postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 1 other task
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before SWM5133
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After SWM5133
No unit lists SWM5133 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Co-requisite: Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate course
Overview
In this unit you will be introduced to the concept of the modern welfare state and its critics including the ideological positions of the major Australian political parties. You will learn how to apply a critical lens to the examination of key theories and ideological perspectives in social policy, the link between social policy and the goals and actions of social work, the impact of social structure and social policy on welfare service users and the implementation of social policy interventions in everyday social work practice. You will also have the opportunity to critically examine the role, strategies and effectiveness of advocacy groups in social policy debates and the link between local and global welfare trends.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester (extended) | Caulfield | On campus |
| First semester (extended) | Caulfield | Bld blk |
| Second semester (extended) | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Critical review of a social policy piece (2,000 words)Written40%
- Critical examination of current social policy debate (3,000 words)Examination60%
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
Critically evaluate the link between social work goals and values and social policy analysis and advocacy
- 2
Explore to what extent the provision of formal social rights within developed welfare states enhances social justice for disadvantaged groups with a particular emphasis upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- 3
Apply an analytical framework to the evaluation of social policy that accounts for different theoretical and practical points of view
- 4
Compare and contrast the way political parties deal with social policy issues, and evaluate the key trends and philosophies underlying the positions of major Australian political parties
- 5
Appraise the impact of social structures and social policies on social welfare users
- 6
Examine the impact of global welfare trends on local social policy debates
Workload and teaching
- Seminars24 hours
- Seminars-
- Workshops-
- Tutorials-
6 hours of teacher directed study per week, including a 2 hour seminar/lecture. The remaining 4 hours involve directed readings and class preparation, along with guided reflection and consolidation activities.
6 hours per week of self-directed study.
Off campus attendance requirements: mandatory 2 day on-campus workshops
Where it fits
SWM5133 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Philip Mendes
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Philip Mendes
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for SWM5133?
SWM5133 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is SWM5133 offered?
In 2026, SWM5133 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Caulfield.
Does SWM5133 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.
Which majors and minors include SWM5133?
SWM5133 is part of Policy studies.