Social Workers Society

About AASW

The Australian Association of Social Workers is the professional representative body of Social Workers in Australia, with 6,000 members nation-wide. The AASW is an incorporated company, guided by a constitution and nationally managed by a Board of Directors, elected from and by the membership. A Branch Management Committee, also elected from and by their respective Branch membership, manages each of our 10 Branches. We also have a vibrant community of national committees and practice groups further supporting the work of the association. The Chief Executive Officer leads our team of 30 staff working in the Branches and our national offices located in Canberra and Melbourne.

International Qualifications Assessment

Welcome to Social Work in Australia! The Australian Association of Social Workers is the official authority for assessment of overseas qualifications in social work, for the purpose of migration and employment in Australia. We also undertake assessment of overseas qualified Social Workers who are Australian citizens or residents and wish to gain AASW membership eligibility for employment purposes. There is no legal registration for Social Workers in Australia, however the AASW is the standard setting body and many positions require eligibility for AASW membership.

Purpose of International Qualifications Assessment

The purpose of the International Qualifications Assessment is to determine if your qualification/s meet the eligibility requirements for migration and/or employment in Australia. This is different from membership to the AASW. For further information on membership click here.

IQA is relevant to

• Non-Residents with an overseas social work qualification
• Non-Residents with an Australian AASW Accredited degree in social work
• Residents with an overseas social work qualification

Please note that you must hold a specific qualification in Social Work to be eligible for an assessment. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship have a new points test. To find out more click here.

The key changes relevant to social workers intending to migrate to Australia under one of the six visa categories to which the points test applies are:
• the awarding of points for the highest qualification attained; and
• the awarding of points of assessed skilled employment in the nominated profession.

English Language Requirement

For information about English Language Requirement click here.

Working Holiday
If you’re coming to Australia for a working holiday and you:

• DO intend applying for permanent residency in the future please refer to the Non-Resident Information Pack
• DON’T have any intention of applying for permanent residency in the future please refer to the Resident Information Pack

Welfare Workers
Refer to Australian Community Workers Association

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