What We Do
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions currently being updated, below are some of the most frequent questions however not all links are live yet, this will be completed shortly, sorry for any inconvenience caused while we update this page
Is there a difference between an AASW membership eligibility assessment and a skills assessment for migration purposes?
I'm not sure which application form I should use, residents or non residents?
How much does the assessment cost?
I'm ready to start my assessment, what should I do?
What documents do I need to supply for assessment of my overseas social work qualification?
Is there a difference between an AASW membership eligibility assessment and a skills assessment for migration purposes?
A membership eligibility assessment is required for those who wish to join the AASW as a member or require evidence that they are eligible to join the AASW. Many employers require evidence of eligibility for membership of the AASW as a basic selection criterion when recruiting a social worker. The criteria for membership eligibility assessments and for a skills assessment under the occupation code 'Social Worker' 272511 are the same. The same information is required for both assessments. However some non residents may require an additional assessment of skilled employment in the past 10 years and will be required to submit comprehensive evidence verifying this skilled employment.
I'm not sure which application form I should use, residents or non residents?
The criteria for choosing which form applies to you depends on the purpose of your assessment. If your application is in any way connected to a visa application or if there is the potential of a future visa application you should use the Non-Resident Application Form. This assessment provides you with a notice confirming your eligibility for membership of the AASW which is required by many employers of social workers in Australia and it will result in a skills assessment which can be used for migration purposes verifying that you are eligible to migrate under the occupation code 'Social Worker' 272511.
The Residents application form is for anyone who has the legal right to work in Australia and only requires the assessment for membership eligibility purposes.
How much does the assessment cost?
Please click here for access to our fee schedule
I’m on a working holiday visa and therefore have the legal right to work in Australia, which form should I use?
If you are visiting Australia on a working holiday visa while you will have the legal right to work in Australia for 1 year it may be wise to use the Non Residents form as you may wish to pursue other visa options at the end of your 1 year visa. It is worth noting that the process and the cost of a residents and a non resident assessment is the same.
I am an international graduate of the Australian AASW accredited course in social work, which form should I use and what documentation should I attach?
You should use the Non resident’s application form and attach the following;
• Certified copy of the award certificate and academic transcript or a letter from the university confirming successful completion of all course requirements.
• Application fee
I'm ready to start my assessment, what should I do?
Visit our main page entitled International Qualifications Assessment. [Link] You can review the information on this page and at the bottom of the page there is a section ‘For more information or to start your assessment’ you can then choose to:
1. Read Country Assessment Guidelines which provides a summary of some of the common qualifications which we assess. This is far from an exhaustive list. There are numerous social work courses available worldwide and many pathways to a professional qualification in social work, so to provide a complete list is very difficult but it is a good starting point if applicants wish to commence comparing their qualifications.
2. If you are intending to complete the Non Residents application form, review Document 1 'Guide to Completing the Application Form' and Document 2 'Guide to Assessment Criteria' then download Document 3 'Application for Assessment of Social Work Qualifications for non-residents'
OR Australian residents can download the Resident Application Form and Information Kit
What documents do I need to supply for assessment of my overseas social work qualification?
You must include the following information with this application, failure to submit all required documentation may delay your assessment:
• A certified copy of your qualification papers and university transcripts or diploma supplement
• Course outlines must be included for all qualifications to be assessed. Failure to include course outline normally requires follow up contact from AASW following receipt of application and causes a delay in assessment – only complete applications can be assessed.
• Written references of any work experience in the 10 years after qualifying which may be required to compensate for any educational deficits.
• Written material verifying work experience within the past 10 years overseas or past 10 years in Australia which you are seeking to have assessed for the purposes of having points awarded by the DIAC. This can include written references on agency letter head, position description, pay slips, tax documents etc
• Academic IELTS test results (if applicable) – please refer to the English language policy [put in LINK to English Language Policy]
• Current registration or license to practice (if applicable) – certified copy
• Certified translation in English of any documents originally issued in a language other than English
• If applicable evidence of change of name or agent’s authorisation