Overview
Social policy is one of seven methods of change used in social work practice. This unit explores the historical, political and normative dimensions of social policy and policy-making in Australia and the international context. You will explore concepts such as the welfare state and neo-liberalism and you will examine and critically analyse social policy that is relevant to human service contexts.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
120 credit points of study must include SOWK13009 and SOWK13010
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 and staff feedback
There were issues related to a late availability of the unit. This impacted student access to resources and learning materials.
The staffing issues have been addressed. Following a review of the curriculum, adjustments and improvements should be made to address resource issues.
Feedback from Student and staff feedback
There were problems with the text book and delays with orders
These issues have been addressed as staffing allocated and library resources ordered in a timely manner.
- Analyse the historical development of social policy in Australia and the wider international context of social policy
- Evaluate the inherent value-judgements associated with social policy development and implementation
- Critically reflect on social policies that are relevant to the human services
- Evaluate theories of policy development as they apply to social policy making in Australia.
- Articulate the strategies that social workers can engage in to influence policy development and advocate for positive policy reform
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Essay - 35% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Essay - 35% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
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.
h.hickson@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Overview of unit and assessments.
Introduction to social policy for social workers
Critical thinking and policy analysis, social justice
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Welcome and Unit Introduction.
Weekly lecture/tutorial.
Activity: Access the General
Discussion page and introduce
yourself to your colleagues by
providing your name and maybe
why you are studying this unit and
course.
Assessments: Review the
assessment tasks and make a
study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity
Program: Complete your annual
program.
Announcements and Discussion
Forums: Check for posts and
updates.
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Concepts: meaning of welfare states, welfare ideologies.
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessment 1 – Start your
literature searching and preparing
assessment.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Neoliberalism and the third way, the influence of ideas on social policy
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Census Date is next week. If you
are struggling, please contact your
Unit Coordinator for help.
Assessment 1 – Read the literature
to identify the credibility of the
evidence and continue preparing
your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
History of Australian Social Policy.
How policy is made and changed
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4
Assessment 1 – 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.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
The institutional context for policy decision making.
Taxation: Paying for policy
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessment 1 – Check the
originality of your assessment
through Turnitin and make
relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your
originality report.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Critical Analysis for advocacy
Critical frameworks.
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity: Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessments: Review the
assessment tasks and make a
study plan.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Indigenous Australians and Social Policy
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity: Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessments: Review the
assessment tasks and make a
study plan.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Policy examples:
Social security policies including Income security and unemployment.
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity: Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessments: Review the
assessment tasks and make a
study plan.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Critical analysis of a social policy topic Due: Week 8 Wednesday (9 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Policy Examples: Housing, Health, Education, Climate change.
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity: Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessments: Review the
assessment tasks and make a
study plan.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Advocacy: Policy networks, peaks, and NGOs.
Kingdon's windows and streams.
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity: Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessments: Review the
assessment tasks and make a
study plan.
Don’t forget – check your unit enrolments for next term
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Advocacy and policy practice strategies.
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Hoefer, R., (2008) Policy Practice and Advocacy in Midgley, J.O., & Livermore, M.M. (eds) 2008, The Handbook of Social Policy, SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity: Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessments: Review the
assessment tasks and make a
study plan.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experience in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Changes and Challenges
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity: Tutorial and unit
content and assessments
Assessments: Review the
assessment tasks and make a
study plan.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates.
Student email – Check your
student email at least twice per
week for important
communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.’ and ‘Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Develop a Social Policy Brief 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 their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and 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 to unit knowledge and your 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 Online Quiz(zes)
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of social policy.
Extensions: Not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Academic Integrity
· Quiz questions are drawn from a bank and will be randomised.
· 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.
· The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators.
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.
3
Other
There are three quizzes
Results will be available as soon as the quiz has been completed
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site
- Analyse the historical development of social policy in Australia and the wider international context of social policy
- Evaluate the inherent value-judgements associated with social policy development and implementation
- Evaluate theories of policy development as they apply to social policy making in Australia.
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
2 Essay
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your ability to critically analyse the 2026 Federal budget, focusing on the implications for social work
Extensions: Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
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:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. 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:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
Week 8 Wednesday (9 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit assessment online in word format
Week 11 Wednesday (30 Sept 2026)
Results will be available online
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site
- Analyse the historical development of social policy in Australia and the wider international context of social policy
- Evaluate the inherent value-judgements associated with social policy development and implementation
- Critically reflect on social policies that are relevant to the human services
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
3 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of social policy analysis and develop your ability to advocate for positive policy reform
Extensions: Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
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:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. 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:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a minimum grade of 49.5% to pass this assessment.
· 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 assessment online in word format
Assessments will be returned by Wednesday 28th October
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site
- Critically reflect on social policies that are relevant to the human services
- Evaluate theories of policy development as they apply to social policy making in Australia.
- Articulate the strategies that social workers can engage in to influence policy development and advocate for positive policy reform
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Social Innovation
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?
