Social Work
The social work profession is committed to the pursuit and maintenance of human wellbeing. Social work aims to maximise the development of human potential and the fulfilment of human needs through an equal commitment to:
• working with Australia’s First Peoples• working with and supporting people to achieve the best possible levels of personal and social wellbeing • working to address and redress inequity and injustice affecting the lives of clients, client groups and socially disadvantaged • working to achieve human rights and social justice through social development, social and systemic change, advocacy and the ethical conduct of research.
What is a Social Worker?
Social workers help people to deal with personal and social problems, either directly or by planning or carrying out programs that benefit groups or communities.
Social workers provide a wide range of services to help people who are distressed or overwhelmed by problems such as poverty, substance abuse, homelessness, conflict or parental difficulties.
With its focus on helping people in need, social work is a profession committed to social justice and respect for human rights.
Many social workers contribute to policy development, evaluate programs, and lobby to change social welfare policies and procedures in the pursuit of social justice for all members of the community.
What does a Social Worker do?
engage in interpersonal practice including casework, counselling, clinical intervention
support individuals, families or groups through a crisis or disadvantage such as death or illness, relationship breakdown, disability, homelessness, domestic violence, social isolation or other reasons .
provide clients with information on services to assist them
provide letters of referral or reports that will help clients to obtain other services such as crisis accommodation or social security benefits
guide small groups of people to share their experiences, support each other and learn social skills
Social workers typically do the following things:
help community groups to plan and carry out programs to help themselves (e.g. assisting newly arrived immigrants to form an association)
research community problems, needs and solutions through client contact and records of welfare and health agencies
contribute to policy development and evaluate programs. Lobby to change social welfare policies and procedures in the pursuit of social justice for all members of the community
manage and train staff
work with individuals, families, partnerships, communities and group
Social Work Specialisations
Supporting people with addictions
Helping in aged care situations
Ensuring child protection
Coordinating disability services
Advocating for social justice
Facilitating access to medical and
health care
Providing interventions and support to psychiatric and general mental health care
Engaging vulnerable Youth
Personal Attributes of a Social Worker
Has a strong commitment to social justice and human rights
Has strong emotional maturity
Has keen analytical abilities
Enjoys working with people
Is able to view other people's problems objectively
Good organisational and communication skills
Is able to work independently or as part of a team
Is able to manage complex human situations in which people in significant distress
Is non-judgmental of others
Work Situations of a Social Worker
Some social workers travel to visit clients, including home visits, or run group meetings. In country areas they may travel long distances. They may also be involved in private practice, research or teaching.
Some social workers are self-employed, working as counsellors, therapists and consultants.
With their broad academic and practical training, qualified social workers may also work in areas including as project officers, policy makers or administrators.
Some social workers manage and lead organisations, get involved in politics and advocate for particular groups or social issues.
Employment OpportunitiesSocial workers may be employed in:
Hospitals
Government and private welfare departments (such as employment services, child protection, justice, housing and youth services)
Community and mental health settings
Disability and aged care centres
Schools
Many other locations...
InternationalAustralian qualified social workers are highly regarded internationally, and can practice around the world, in both developed and developing countries.Although they share common social work values, knowledge and skills, there are different types of employment access processes and procedures.
Education & Training
To become a Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work degree (either a BSW or MSW (Q)) at an Australian University.
Requirements for university entry may vary between universities, and some institutions also specialise in different fields of Social Work.
Many courses require a period of field education. There is an expectation that students participate in at least two field placements.
You should research a number of courses and ensure you undertake the best option that suits you based on location and the programs offered. Wherever you choose to study, it’s key to ensure that the course is an AASW Accredited Social Work degree.
Your AASW Accredited Social Work degree is just the beginning of professional learning. Learning continues in the workplace and many social workers continue to learn through Continued Professional Development.
Postgraduate study options enable social workers to specialise in many fields. Advanced Practice Master degrees allow graduates to pursue research interests and gain further professional research skills.
Professional Standards & Ethics
As the professional association for social workers, the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is the standard-setting body for Social Work in Australia and many jobs require eligibility for membership of the AASW.
Australian Association of Social Workers
The Australian Association of Social Workers is the professional representative body for social workers in Australia.
The AASW is a member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).
We have almost 6,900 members nation-wide
There are 10 branches located in every state and territory.
We also have a vibrant community of national and practice groups further supporting the work of the Association.
The AASW exists to: Promote the profession of social work
Enhance the public and professional recognition and identity of social work
Establish, monitor and improve practice and ethical standards
Contribute to the development of social work knowledge and research
Develop, review and accredit the education standards for social workers
Advocate for the pursuit of social justice and changes to social structures and policies in order to promote social inclusion and redress social disadvantage
Promote and facilitate members’ professional development and life-long learning
Represent and advocate for the interests of members as a group
Our Members
AASW members are employed by commonwealth, state and local governments, not for profit organisations and as private practitioners.
They work in a diverse range of settings including health, mental health, income security, child and family welfare, housing and disability services. Some members are also employed as academics, researchers and teachers.
Education & Training: Australian Capital TerritoryTo become a professional Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work qualification (BSW or MSW(Q)).To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. The various universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Courses are also offered via distance education. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information.
The following ACT university offers a Bachelor of Social Work, 4 years full time or equivalent.
AASW Accredited Social Work Qualifications in ACT:
Australian Catholic University
PLEASE NOTE: Courses are subject to change from time-to-time. Please check with the university concerned for up-to-date details.
Education & Training: New South WalesTo become a professional Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work qualification (BSW or MSW(Q)).To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. The various universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Courses are also offered via distance education. Contact the following NSW universities you are interested in for more information.
AASW Accredited Social Work Qualifications in NSW:
Australian Catholic University
Charles Sturt University
University of New England
University of New South Wales
University of Newcastle
University of Sydney
University of Western Sydney PLEASE NOTE: Courses are subject to change from time-to-time. Please check with the university concerned for up-to-date details.
Education & Training: Northern TerritoryTo become a professional Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work qualification (BSW or MSW(Q)).To get into the course below you usually need to gain your NTCET. Courses are also offered via distance education. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information.
AASW Accredited Social Work Qualifications in NT:
Charles Darwin University
PLEASE NOTE: Courses are subject to change from time-to-time. Please check with the university concerned for up-to-date details.
Education & Training: QueenslandTo become a professional Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work qualification (BSW or MSW(Q)).To get into the courses below you usually need to gain your QCE with English. Applicants may also be required to provide a written statement and/or references. The various universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Courses are also offered by distance education.
AASW Accredited Social Work Qualifications in QLD:
Australian Catholic University
Central Queensland University
Griffith University
James Cook University
Queensland University of Technology
University of Queensland
University of the Sunshine Coast
PLEASE NOTE: Courses are subject to change from time-to-time. Please check with the university concerned for up-to-date details.
Education & Training: South AustraliaTo become a professional Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work qualification (BSW or MSW(Q)). To get into the course below you usually need to gain your SACE. Courses are also offered via distance education. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information.
AASW Accredited Social Work Qualifications in SA:
University of South Australia
Flinders University of South Australia
PLEASE NOTE: Courses are subject to change from time-to-time. Please check with the university concerned for up-to-date details.
Education & Training: TasmaniaTo become a professional Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work qualification (BSW or MSW(Q)). To get into the courses you usually need to gain your TCE and complete at least part of a relevant degree. The University also has flexible entry requirements. Contact the University of Tasmania for more information.
AASW Accredited Social Work Qualifications in TAS:
University of Tasmania
PLEASE NOTE: Courses are subject to change from time-to-time. Please check with the university concerned for up-to-date details.
Education & Training: Western AustraliaTo become a professional Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work qualification (BSW or MSW(Q)). To get into the courses below you usually need to gain your WACE at Stages 2 and 3. The universities have different prerequisites and may have flexible entry requirements. Courses are also offered by distance education. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information.
AASW Accredited Social Work Qualifications in WA:
University of Western Australia
Curtin University
Edith Cowan University
PLEASE NOTE: Courses are subject to change from time-to-time. Please check with the university concerned for up-to-date details.
Education & Training: VictoriaTo become a professional Social Worker you need to complete an AASW Accredited Social Work qualification (BSW or MSW(Q)). To get into the courses below you usually need to gain your VCE with English. The universities have different prerequisites and may have flexible entry requirements. Courses are also offered by distance education. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information.
AASW Accredited Social Work Qualifications in VIC:
Deakin University
La Trobe University
Monash University
RMIT University
University of Melbourne
Victoria University of Technology
PLEASE NOTE: Courses are subject to change from time-to-time. Please check with the university concerned for up-to-date details.