Social Workers assess the social needs of individuals, families, and groups, assists and empowers people to develop and use the skills and resources needed to resolve social and other problems, and furthers human wellbeing and human rights, social justice and social development.

Skill Level

1

Specialisations

• Whanau Support Worker (Family Support Worker) (NZ)

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Social Worker is Australian Association of Social Workers Limited (AASW). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Criterion 1 – Qualification must be specific to social work
• Criterion 2 – Qualification must be regarded as a professional social work qualification in the country of training
• Criterion 3 – Learning outcomes of the social work qualification must be comparable to graduates of AASW accredited social work qualifications
• Criterion 4 – At least 980 hours of field education in at least two placements in two different practice areas AND one of those placements must be in direct practice
• Criterion 5 – A high level of English Language Skill
  • IETLS – minimum overall score of 7.0 AND a minimum score of 7.0 in each component and no component is below 6.5
• The AASW only accepts the IETLS test to demonstrate and fulfill the English Language Requirement.

Did you know?

The AASW have developed Country Assessment Guidelines which provides direction for applicants applying for a skills assessment from the following countries to assist in determining the likely outcome of their assessment:

Canada                                                              Norway

Chile                                                                   India

Ireland                                                               Netherlands

New Zealand                                                   Philippines

South Africa                                                     Switzerland

United Kingdom                                            United States of America

Assess the social needs of individuals, families and groups, assist and empower people to develop and use the skills and resources needed to resolve social and other problems, and further human wellbeing and human rights, social justice and social development.

Tasks

• Acting as a facilitator between clients in need and community services
• Assessing resources for health, welfare, recreation, housing, employment and other community services
• Providing leadership and assistance for the implementation of pilot projects in community development and self-help, and planning and implementing research projects to address client needs, organisation goals and social policy
• Cooperating with community organisations, social agencies and voluntary groups to improve services and develop new services
• Conducting individual and family case interviews to identify the nature and extent of clients’ problems
• Assisting clients to understand and resolve problems by providing information, acting as a mediator and referring them to community and self-help agencies
• Analysing, developing, promoting and implementing social policies through the use of practice experience, research, analytic frameworks, and negotiation skills to respond to social need through a fair, equitable and effective allocation of social resources
• Monitoring the progress of clients by maintaining contact
• Compiling case records and reports

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing may be required.

Occupations in this Group

• 272511 Social Worker