Social Worker’s Pathway To Australia
Exclusive Australian Immigration News, Updates & OpportunitiesIf you are migrating to Australia and seeking recognition as a qualified social worker for migration and/or employment purposes, the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) acts on behalf of the Australian Government to assess academic social work qualifications by assessing your qualification against the IQA criteria set out below. The AASW also assess post-qualifying work experience for migration purposes.
Criteria for assessment – IQA
Criterion 1: The qualification must be a specific qualification in social work.
Criterion 5: A high level English language skill (as per the AASW English language policy) is demonstrated. The AASW reserves the right to ask an applicant to take the Academic IELTS examination if there is uncertainty about their level of English proficiency. NOTE: The AASW ONLY accepts Academic IELTS.
General information for all applicants
A Doctorate Degree Assessment is another OPTIONAL additional assessment that applicants can apply for: (the applicant must have had their SW qualification assessed prior to this).
The Dept of Home Affairs may award 5 additional points to those holding a doctorate degree level qualification and is included as part of their migration application. Applicants holding a doctorate degree relevant to social work may apply to have this degree assessed by the AASW
The AASW is unable to provide migration advice, and recommends contacting the Department of Home Affairs for further information regarding visa options, points tests and other visa related questions via their website: www.homeaffairs.gov.au
Migration & Eligibility Assessment
The AASW website through a MyAASW account will be where you will link into the online process
To assist you with lodging your application online, a series of Guides for specific types of applications have been developed. The Guide for your specific application will help you with your application.
- International Qualification Recognition
- New Zealand Mutual Recognition Agreement Guide
- International Students Studying AASW Accredited Social Work Course in Australia Guide
- Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 for international student graduate of an AASW accredited social work course in Australia Guide
- Renewal and Reissue of Skills Assessment Guide
- Optional Migration Assessment Guides
Please apply via the online portal
Further helpful links
- AASW Country Assessment Guidelines – These Guidelines provide potential applicants with an indication of the likelihood of a positive outcome for migration or AASW membership eligibility purposes following completion of an overseas social work qualification from a number of listed countries.
These are Guidelines only and do not preclude applicants from other countries making an application.
How to Apply for your Skills Assessment
• You may obtain further information on how to apply for your ‘Skills Assessment’ via simply clicking on the blue links located on ‘page 8 and 9’ of the APPLICATION GUIDE’ (located in Step 4).