How to Become a Social Worker in Australia?

If you are passionate about helping people and looking to build a meaningful career in this domain, then becoming a social worker in Australia could be the perfect pathway for you. With high demand across the country and clearer routes to permanent residency, social work is highly recognised across the nation.

To know more, this guide breaks down everything you need to know to start your journey as a social worker in Australia.

Who is a Social Worker?

A social worker in Australia supports individuals and communities in improving their well-being, managing crises, and providing valuable resources. By choosing this profession, you can get the opportunity to work in hospitals, schools, government agencies, or NGOs. As a social worker, you must be empathetic, culturally aware, and possess strong communication skills to effectively support the diverse population.

Also Read: How to Apply for a Work Permit in Australia: An Essential Guide

Study Social Work in Australia

To make your career as a social worker, you need to complete an accredited qualification. For international students, studying social work in Australia offers robust educational programs for both undergraduate and postgraduate streams.

These courses are approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Migrating to Australia as a social worker becomes easier with such recognised qualifications.

Also Read: Top 10 Common Reasons for Australian Student Visa Rejection

Choosing the Right Social Work Course

There are two primary pathways available to qualify yourself as a certified social worker, which are a Bachelor’s of Social Work and a Master’s of Social Work.

Bachelor of Social Work

These courses are ideal for beginners, and it is a 4-year program. Within this course, you will learn about human development, social policy, and other related curricula to social work courses in Australia. Moreover, this program equips students with essential skills like communication and advocacy to be more empathetic towards people.

Master of Social Work

This qualification is suitable for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree. This two-year program offers an accelerated path into the profession and includes intensive coursework and practical assessments. To ensure you meet Australian standards, only enrol in an AASW-accredited master’s in Social Work Australia program.

Also Read: How Difficult Is It to Obtain a 189 Visa in Australia in 2025?

Qualification Assessment for Migration

Before you apply for a migration visa, your qualification must be assessed by AASW. This step confirms that your education meets Australian social work standards.

To be eligible for a Social Work PR Australia, you should provide these documents:

• Your academic qualifications
• English test results
• Passport and ID

You may be required to submit more documents, depending on your visa and test results. Also, this assessment is a mandatory step in the social worker skilled migration process in Australia.

Understand PR Points for Social Work

In order to apply for General Skilled Migration (GSM), you must meet the pr points for social work in Australia. Social work is listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which helps to determine your eligibility for several skilled visas. For most of the skilled work, the PR points threshold is 65 points.

Also Read: Aus Point Calculator 2025: How to Improve Your AUS PR Points?

Pathways to Social Work Permanent Residency

There are three main visa options available for you after you become a qualified social worker, each of them are designed to provide employment opportunities for international students.

These include:

• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 attracts New Zealand citizens and eligible Hong Kong or British Nationals. You can apply for this based on your skills and PR points score. To be eligible for this, you must have passed a positive skills assessment from AASW, score a minimum of 65 points on the PR test, and be under 45 years of age.
• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): The Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 also offers 5 years’ residency, but you need a nomination from a state or territory. Each state may have specific criteria or a priority occupation. After you receive the nomination, you must live and work in that state for a minimum of two years.
• Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): The 491 visa Australia is a 5-year temporary visa, which requires you to be nominated by an Australian region. After 3 years of living and working in that region and meeting income requirements, you can apply for permanent residency in Australia.

Also Read: What Is The Minimum Points Requirement For Australia PR Eligibility?

Employer-Sponsored Pathways

If you have received a job offer in Australia, then the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482 Visa Australia is a suitable option for you. This visa requires employer sponsorship and comes in two streams, one is short-term for 2 years, and the other is medium-term for about 4 years.

As a social worker, you may fall under the medium-term stream, which offers a pathway to permanent residency.

Work With a Registered Migration Agent

Due to the complex structure of student visa programs, you can take external support to help you navigate such situations. To help you with this, a Migration Agent Perth can provide tailored solutions according to your needs. They make sure that your application fulfils all legal requirements for increasing the chances of a successful visa outcome.

They can assist you with the following aspects:

• Points and eligibility assessments
• Skills assessment preparation
• Visa application support

Also Read: Skills in Demand Visa Australia: All You Need to Know

Conclusion

Social work in Australia offers a fulfilling career with strong migration support for international students. By studying an accredited course to become a social worker and understanding your visa options, you can smoothly move towards permanent residency and get social work jobs in Australia. With a growing demand for qualified professionals in Australia, being a social worker provides you with excellent long-term career stability.