Overview
This unit introduces key ethical theories and principles and examines their relationship to the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics, analysing how they inform ethical, socially just, and relational social work practice. Emphasis is placed on working respectfully and responsively with individuals, families, and communities, valuing lived experience, promoting human rights, and challenging structural inequalities that affect people's lives. Students will apply ethical decision-making frameworks to different practice contexts and identify the individual, social, cultural, structural and professional factors that require consideration when forming an ethical response. In examining the appropriate use of self in professional practice, students will analyse how personal and professional values, power relations and broader social and cultural forces influence decision-making and ways of working with people. The unit develops skills in critical reflection, reflexivity and self-care to support an ethical and sustainable professional practice. The unit also examines ethical issues across culturally diverse contexts, supporting the development of culturally responsive, ethically informed practice responses grounded in principles of social justice.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Successful completion of 48 credit points in any course.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation
The amount of reading was overwhelming.
Reduce weekly readings and reiterate to students how to utilise study modules and prescribed and supplementary readings in completing assessment tasks.
Feedback from Student evaluation
The Indigenous and Cross Cultural Issues study module needs to be introduced earlier in the term.
Social workers' ethical responsibilities to culturally safe and inclusive practice are integrated throughout the study modules, and key ethical concepts related to this specific study module are not introduced until later in the term. However, the first two study modules will incorporate a further emphasis on social workers' ethical responsibility to culturally safe and responsive practice.
- Critically analyse and apply key ethical theories and principles, evaluating their alignment with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics, and relevance to professional identity and ethical practice in contemporary practice contexts
- Critically analyse and respond to ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in diverse social work practice settings by applying ethical decision-making frameworks and exercising professional judgment informed by individual, social, cultural, structural, and professional considerations
- Evaluate how personal and professional value systems, power relations, and broader social, cultural and structural forces influence ethical decision-making and relational ways of working with individuals, families and communities
- Demonstrate the ethical and appropriate use of self in professional social work practice by engaging in critical reflection, reflexivity, and self-care strategies to develop awareness of cultural positioning, power, and diversity, for culturally responsive, socially just, and ethically informed accountable practice.
The revised learning outcomes align with the ASWEAS (2024) in the following ways.
Learning Outcome 1:
Required Curriculum Content
Ethics and Values – Ethical theories, principles and the AASW Code of Ethics
Professional Identity – Ethics as foundational to professional social work identity
Graduate Attributes
- Ethical and professional behaviour
- Knowledge and application of the AASW Code of Ethics
- Professional identity and accountability
Learning Outcome 2:
Required Curriculum Content
- Ethical Decision‑Making – Identification, analysis and resolution of ethical dilemmas
- Ethics and Values – Application of ethical frameworks in practice
Graduate Attributes
- Critical thinking and professional judgement
- Ability to manage ethical complexity in diverse practice contexts
- Accountability in ethical decision‑making
Learning Outcome 3:
Required Curriculum Content
- Values, Power and Ethics – Influence of values and power in ethical practice
- Culture, Identity and Intersectionality – Social, cultural and structural influences on practice
Graduate Attributes
- Reflexive and self‑aware practice
- Culturally responsive and power‑aware practice
- Ethical practice grounded in social justice
Learning Outcome 4:
Required Curriculum Content
- Ethics and Values – Ethical use of self and professional accountability
- Critical Reflection and Reflexivity – Ongoing reflexive examination of self in practice
- Culture, Identity and Intersectionality – Awareness of cultural positioning, power and diversity in professional relationships
Graduate Attributes
- Ethical and professional behaviour
- Reflexive and self‑aware practice
- Culturally responsive practice across diverse contexts
- Professional sustainability and accountability
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
Please access the unit learning resources in the study modules and eReading list.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- Microsoft Word
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- CQU library search
- CQ library literature search tools
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
- Australian Standards (through CQU library)
- CQU Library search engines for research articles
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.chesham@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Foundations of Ethical Social Work Practice
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 1 lecture, readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Orientation: Take some time to carefully read the unit profile and the assessment task descriptions, and orient yourself to the unit Moodle site, beginning with the Welcome and Introduction section.
Activity: Access the General Discussion forum and introduce
yourself to your peers.
Assessments: Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan. Ensure you attend all Assessment Zoom sessions.
Weekly Virtual Classes section: Visit this section for the weekly tutorial schedule and Assessment Zoom sessions.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates each week.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Recorded presentations: Weekly lecture
Assessment 1 Group Discussion 1: Start your
literature searching and preparing
assessment.
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Critical Reflection for Ethical Practice
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 2 lecture readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Assessment 1 Group Discussion 1 Preparation: Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish
to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Ethical Theories and Concepts
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 3 lecture, readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Group Discussion Topic 1 due @ 4 pm Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Census date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator.
Group Discussion Due: Week 3 Wednesday (29 July 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Core Ethical Principles: Autonomy, Paternalism & Self-determination
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 4 lecture, readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4
Assessment 1 Group Discussion 2: Familiarise yourself with the next Group Discussion Topic.
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Core Ethical Principles: Privacy, Confidentiality and Duty of Care
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 5 lecture, readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Assessment 1 Group Discussion 2: Start reading and preparing for this topic due in week 6.
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Professional Responsibilities: Veracity, Professional Boundaires and Conflict of Interest
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 6 lecture, readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Group Discussion Topic 2 due @ 4 pm Wednesday, 19th August 2026.
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Vacation Week
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities.
Please use this week to progress your Assessment 1 Group Discussion 3 due in week 9.
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Context & Ethical Dilemmas
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 7 lecture, readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Assessment 1 Group Discussion Topic 3: Familiarise yourself with the final discussion topic and commence your research.
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Ethical Decision Making
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 8 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Assessment 1 Group Discussion 3: Prepare for this topic due next week.
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Ethical Use of Power and Authority
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for the Week 9 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Assessment 1 Group Discussion 3 due @ 4 pm Wednesday 16 September 2026.
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Ethical Practice with Diverse Communities
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for the Week 10 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Assessment 2: Engage in reading and research in the preparation of the final assessment task due in Week 12.
Don’t forget – check your unit enrolments for next term
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Recognising Social Control and Opportunities for Ethical Activism
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for the Week 11 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend the weekly tutorial.
Assessment 2: Continue preparing for your assessment.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback on your unit and teaching experiences. The survey opens in Week 11 and closes one week before the release of grades
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Self-care and Sustaining Ethical Practice
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Written Assessment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare an individual study plan to undertake self-led, self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term, and reviewing this information is essential for your understanding of the unit and success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies
1 Group Discussion
Task Description
This assessment requires you to participate in three online group discussions designed to develop essential knowledge and skills for ethical social work practice. The activities will enhance your ability to engage in informed, respectful, and reflective discussion, consider diverse perspectives, and apply ethical reasoning to decision-making. These discussions are intended as collaborative learning opportunities that promote reflection, ethical decision-making and professional growth rather than peer evaluation.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instruction on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
1. You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
- Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
- Must be cited in the relevant sections.
- Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Length
For each Group Discussion Topic:
- Post a 400-word online response to the group discussion topic.
- Post a 100-word online response to a student.
- Submit a 200-word reflection post.
Word limit +/- 10% (excluding reference list)
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 3 Wednesday (29 July 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
A full schedule of due dates for the remaining Group Discussion is in the Task Description on the Moodle unit site
Week 6 Wednesday (19 Aug 2026)
Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site.
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more details on how marks will be assigned.
- Critically analyse and apply key ethical theories and principles, evaluating their alignment with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics, and relevance to professional identity and ethical practice in contemporary practice contexts
- Critically analyse and respond to ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in diverse social work practice settings by applying ethical decision-making frameworks and exercising professional judgment informed by individual, social, cultural, structural, and professional considerations
- Evaluate how personal and professional value systems, power relations, and broader social, cultural and structural forces influence ethical decision-making and relational ways of working with individuals, families and communities
- Demonstrate the ethical and appropriate use of self in professional social work practice by engaging in critical reflection, reflexivity, and self-care strategies to develop awareness of cultural positioning, power, and diversity, for culturally responsive, socially just, and ethically informed accountable practice.
2 Written Assessment
Task Description
The aim of this assessment is to develop your capacity for ethical analysis and decision-making in social work practice. You are required to critically analyse an ethical dilemma, examining how complex ethical challenges emerge when the broader political, social, and economic context shapes the experiences of service users and influences social work decision-making. The assessment emphasises ethical reasoning grounded in social work values and ethics, empathy, collaboration, and culturally sensitive and responsive practice. The case study is located in Appendix A at the end of the assessment task sheet.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure).
- Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
- Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
- Must be cited in the relevant sections.
- Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Length
2000 words +/-10% (excluding reference list)
Extensions
Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only.
Wednesday, 28th October 2026. Students will be advised of release of results and feedback marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's forum on the Unit Moodle site.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Critically analyse and apply key ethical theories and principles, evaluating their alignment with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics, and relevance to professional identity and ethical practice in contemporary practice contexts
- Critically analyse and respond to ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in diverse social work practice settings by applying ethical decision-making frameworks and exercising professional judgment informed by individual, social, cultural, structural, and professional considerations
- Evaluate how personal and professional value systems, power relations, and broader social, cultural and structural forces influence ethical decision-making and relational ways of working with individuals, families and communities
- Demonstrate the ethical and appropriate use of self in professional social work practice by engaging in critical reflection, reflexivity, and self-care strategies to develop awareness of cultural positioning, power, and diversity, for culturally responsive, socially just, and ethically informed accountable practice.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
