Would you like to be a Social Worker?

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.

For more information:

Visit: www.aasw.asn.au

Call: 1800 630 124

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.