AASW

The AASW assesses an international social work qualification by comparing it with a qualification from a social work course it accredits in Australia. All five criteria must be met. The AASW states that a related qualification, such as one in sociology or psychology, is not accepted unless it also includes a professional qualification in social work. Field education placements must be taken over at least two academic years. Where the hours fall between 500 and 1,000 across two or more placements, the alternatives the AASW lists include a professional statement on experience since qualifying. The assessment for a graduate of an accredited Australian course has three criteria: identity, English, and completion of the qualification. A letter of completion is accepted where the degree has not yet been conferred.

The English language policy took effect on 20 May 2026. A score of 7.0 in all four components can be reached in one sitting, or across no more than two sittings in six months with no component below 6.5, or in one sitting with 7.0 in three components and a One Skill Retake of the fourth taken within 60 days. The test must be sat in person at an official test centre, and results must be no more than three years old when the application is made. The AASW notes that its English requirements are in some instances higher than those of the Department of Home Affairs.

Applications are lodged online through a MyAASW account, and payment is taken before the application can be submitted. Identity documents are not uploaded to that account. The AASW invites the applicant to verify identity through a separate service, with at least three identity documents, the passport among them. A document in a language other than English is lodged with a NAATI translation. An optional skilled employment assessment is open to a social worker with at least one year of post-qualifying employment in Australia or three years overseas, within the past ten years, and only after the qualification has been assessed positively. Priority assessment can be requested by an employer and not by the applicant.

An unsuccessful applicant has up to three steps, set out on the AASW’s review page. A reassessment is for an international qualification only, on new evidence, within 12 months of the outcome. An internal review is for error in the assessment or in the handling of the application, within 30 days, and is made by a staff member not involved in the original decision. An external appeal follows only an unsuccessful internal review, on the ground that the assessor did not accurately assess the evidence; new evidence is not a ground. Each step can be taken once, and the appeal fee is returned if the appeal succeeds.