What We Do
Country Assessment Guidelines
STEP 1: Read Introduction
STEP 2: Read Country Guidelines
STEP 3: Read Possible Assessment Outcomes
STEP 4: Download Information Pack
STEP 1: INTRODUCTION
Country assessment guidelines have been developed as a guide only - they are not a substitute for a formal membership eligibility assessment by AASW of an individual's qualifications. It is important to note the following:
- The AASW alone can assess the AASW membership eligibility of a person with overseas qualifications, following submission by that person of a formal application for assessment. Other organisations or persons may form opinions, but it is the AASW who undertakes the assessment of membership eligibility. If the country guideline indicates that membership eligibility is likely, a formal membership eligibility assessment by AASW still needs to occur to determine eligibility or the appropriate program of further study.
- AASW can change the following country assessment guidelines at any time. This may be on the basis of AASW research or as a result of an appeal by an applicant.
- The AASW welcomes responses to these guidelines, particularly from overseas professional social work associations.
- We have not as yet developed specific guidelines for qualifications from many countries. Qualifications from these countries, and from any countries which are unlisted in the country assessment guidelines as yet, are assessed individually using assessment criteria and precedents. To satisfy AASW requirements, overseas qualifications need to be assessed as meeting the Five Essential Criteria.
STEP 2: COUNTRY GUIDELINES
- Canada
- Chile
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Philippines
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Yugoslavia (States of the Former)
STEP 3: POSSIBLE ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES
The guidelines refer to the following possible assessment outcomes:
- Usually assessed as meeting AASW membership eligibility requirements
The guideline does not bind the AASW if the particular qualification has not been completed in the usual way. - Supplementary education program usually recommended in order to meet AASW membership eligibility requirements
This means that AASW will usually specify subject areas to be studied in an AASW-accredited Australian Bachelor of Social Work degree program, usually one, two or three subject areas. - One year program usually recommended in AASW-accredited Australian Bachelor of Social Work degree program
This means that AASW will usually recommend study amounting to a full year in AASW-accredited BSW program, successful completion of which will lead to membership eligibility. - Appropriate study program recommended in order to meet AASW membership eligibility requirements
This means that AASW will specify the further study required in an AASW-accredited Australian Bachelor of Social Work degree program - it will usually take the form of a supplementary education program or of a one year program, depending on the individual assessment. - Seek advanced standing in AASW-accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree course usually recommended
This means that, in order to meet AASW membership eligibility requirements, an applicant with a qualification listed in these guidelines as leading to this outcome, would usually need to approach a school of social work at an Australian university offering an AASW- accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree, in order to seek advanced standing into that degree program and complete requirements for the award of that degree.
Information relating to each of the above outcomes is given in the individual assessment.