How to become a social worker in Australia

Social worker with a group of people
Social worker with a group of people
Social Work

If you feel drawn to a career that drives positive change for individuals and society, social work may be for you.

Social workers support individuals and families through a variety of roles and settings, helping them navigate challenges by providing personal and social level support, connecting them with essential services and advocating to improve their well-being.

To become a social worker in Australia, you need to complete a recognised qualification, like a Bachelor of Social Work or a Master of Social Work. You must also gain practical experience through field placements during your studies. Joining the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) can also enhance your professional credentials.

Curious about how to become a social worker? There are many pathways, and the right one depends on your qualifications and experience. Social work is a deeply rewarding career, offering personal fulfillment and the chance to make a positive impact on people's lives.

This article will outline the exact steps to become a social worker in Australia, from gaining the right qualification to entering the profession.

How to become a social worker in Australia

Social workers are trained professionals who support people to navigate challenges and improve their wellbeing and lives. In Australia, the demand for qualified social workers has been rising for years, especially since the pandemic, so there is no shortage of job opportunities. In fact, there are an increasingly wide range of career opportunities available to social workers across various sectors and specialisations.

The path to becoming a social worker involves a mix of formal education, practical experience, and professional registration. Professional accreditation through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is essential for social workers in Australia, as it ensures your qualifications meet industry standards and enhances your employability. AASW membership alsi provides access to exclusive job opportunities, professional resources, and networking that can enhance your career prospects and professional influence.

Now, let's explore each step to becoming a social worker in more detail.

Step 1: Complete a formal qualification

Because social work deals directly with individuals’ wellbeing, specific educational requirements - tat minimum at bachelor degree level - are necessary for professional practice. Many aspiring social workers choose to study a bachelor degree in social work, however qualifications in human services or social sciences can also provide alternative entry pathways into undergraduate or postgraduate social work programs. Social work programs include core subjects, research projects and placements, all of which focus on developing practical skills through theoretical and hands-on learning.

Bachelor’s degree

If you’re finishing high school or haven’t previously completed a university degree, you’ll likely need to start you social worker career journey with a Bachelor of Social Work. The minimum requirement to practice as a social worker in Australia is an AASW-accredited bachelor degree, which includes at least 1,000 hours of mandatory field education placements. This undergraduate degree typically takes four years of full-time study and combines academic coursework with practical field placements to prepare you for professional settings. The degree equips students with the essential skills in address client nneds across case management and community work settings, which are fundamental areas of practice in social work. Upon graduation, career outcomes include a range of job titles such as social worker, case manager and community worker, reflecting the diverse opportunities and professional pathways available in the field.

Graduate certificate

If you’re already a qualified social worker and want to specialise, a graduate certificate could be the right next step. This postgraduate qualification provides foundational knowledge in a specific area, such as child protection, aged care, family violence, community development, youth work, policy development, or trauma informed care. It can take anywhere from six months to a year of full-time study.

Graduate certificates can also prepare social workers to work in legal services or within the justice system, equipping them with the skills needed to support clients navigating legal and justice-related challenges.

Master’s degree

A Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is ideal for people who have an undergraduate degree in another field and want to pivot to social work. For individuals who already hold a degree in a related field, such as psychology or sociology, a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) offers an accelerated pathway to professional practice. This advanced postgraduate program equips graduates to practise as qualified social workers through a combination of theoretical studies and practical experience, and prepares them for positions in community services, providing leadership expertise to assist social agencies in meeting their organisation goals.

Field education placements

Practical experience is an essential part of any social work qualification and provides aspiring social workers with first hand insight into what it means to work in community services assessing resources, implementing research projects, working with teams to improve services and deliver social resources to clients.

Accredited programs, like the University of Canberra’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying), require students to complete professional in-person placements in settings like health, aged care, community services and mental health. These placements are developed to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) governed by the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) to ensure students graduate with the experience necessary for professional qualifying practice in Australia.

Field placements often take place in community organisations, providing valuable hands-on experience and exposure to pilot projects and grassroots community development iniatives. This hands-on approach means less time in a classroom and more time gaining real-world experience. Field placements are also a great opportunity to explore specialisations and expand your professional network.

Step 2: Get registered and meet professional standards

To practise as a social worker in in Australia, you’ll need to be recognised as an Accredited Social Worker by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the main professional body for social workers in Australia, which sets the standards for practice and ethics.

If you graduate from an AASW-accredited degree, like you can begin practising as a social worker immediately. For example, graduates of the University of Canberra’s online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) are automatically considered accredited by the AASW.

Before you enrol in a social work program, it’s crucial to check that your chosen degree - whether it’s a bachelor’s or a master’s - is accredited by the AASW to ensure you satisfy the requirements for recognition upon graduation. Most employers in Australia expect social workers to hold AASW membership as a baseline requirement for employment.

Other essential checks for social work candidates include a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check. The profession of social work in Australia is currently self-regulated, but some states are introducing mandatory registration. As of July 2025, certain social work services in South Australia will require registration through the Social Workers Registration Board of SA.

Step 3: Gain experience

Practical experience is vital for a career in social work. While theory is important, the ability to apply that knowledge to help others in a real-world setting is what the job is all about.

Gaining experience opens up a wide range of career opportunities and career outcomes for social workers across health care, mental health services, government agencies and community work. Social workers are in high demand in areas such as child protection, health, social justice, aged care, and mental health.

Many degrees include pathways to practical experience. If you’re interested in a particular area, gaining experience is a great way to confirm your interest and improve your job prospects.

There are many ways to gain experience in social work, including:

Volunteering

Volunteering is a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience, strengthen your CV, and expand your network. Volunteering with community organisations or voluntary groups in a specific field is especially valuable, as it allows you to gain practical experience and build professional networks within your chosen social work sector.

Internships

Internships offer comprehensive, real-world experience and professional development. They are available in various settings, including schools, community services, aged care and government organisations. Internships are often structured for a set period and provide valuable on-the-job mentorship from a licensed supervisor. These placements help students develop practical skills essential for professional practice and are an excellent way to put theoritical learnings into action in real-world settings. In many cases, they can lead to permanent employment.

Under the Australian Government's Fair Work Act, an internship must be paid unless it is part of a course or with a non-profit organisation.

Step 4: Secure a job

Once you have the necessary qualifications and professional recognition it is time to secure your first job as a job as a social worker . The demand for qualified social workers in Australia is strong and the Health Care and Social Assistance sector is projected to add 585,000 workers by 2034, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in Australia.

According to Seek, the average annual salary for social workers in Australia ranges from $90,000 to $110,000, with the highest average salary in the Australian Capital Territory at $115,000, followed by Northern Territory at $105,000, and a projected growth rate of 23% over the next five years.

There are many career paths available for Australian social workers, each with their own unique requirements. Job boards like Seek, LinkedIn, and Indeed list opportunities for social workers across various job titles and settings.

Examples of where social workers work

The demand for social workers in Australia is strong. Social workers are needed to support people in a wide range of settings, including:

  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Mental health clinics
  • Government agencies
  • Aged care facilities
  • Correctional facilities
  • Private practices
  • Child and family services
  • Legal services
  • Justice system
  • Community organisations
  • Youth work
  • Child protection services

Examples of social worker roles

Social workers support individuals, families and communities and help resolve social challenges, making it a deeply rewarding career with a positive impact on individuals' lives. While social workers can work across various settings, the range of job titles across the field is extensive. Some examples of social worker roles in Australia include:

  • Substance abuse counsellor: Work with individuals struggling with addiction and provide support and resources for recovery. These roles are found in both private and public health settings, where social workers provide services conducting individual crisis support.
  • Direct care worker: Provide hands-on support and assistance to individuals who need help with daily living activities due to age, disability, illness or cognitive impairment.
  • Family advocate: Provide guidance, support and representation to families navigating complex systems and experiencing a range of challenges across legal, child protection, social services, mental health or healthcare settings.
  • School counsellor: Work with young people to support social and emotional development, providing guidance, promoting wellbeing and acting as a safe space young people to navigate challenges while collaborating with teachers, parents and the community.
  • Case worker: Work closely with clients and their families to identify client needs and help them access support services and practical support, including counselling, financial assistance, mental health services or housing.
  • Community outreach worker: Collaborate with community organisations to develop programs and services that address the needs of vulnerable populations.
  • Child welfare specialist: Coordinate services for children and young people in need of protection or foster care, and work to ensure their safety and well-being.

These job titles reflect just a small range of the career paths available for qualified social workers.

Empower your passion and transform lives

Ready to start a fulfilling and rewarding career in social work? The University of Canberra’s online Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is your next step. This professionally accredited degree equips you with the specialised knowledge and hands-on skills to create real, positive change in people's lives. Our program is fully accredited and prepares students for AASW membership, which is highly valued by employers in the social work sector.

You'll gain practical experience through field education placements and develop the skills needed to make a meaningful impact from day one.

Take the first step toward a rewarding career in social work. Contact a Student Enrolment Adviser on 1300 471 770 to learn how the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) can help you achieve your goals.