Registration of social work in Australia
National registration for social workers through Ahpra
Protect the public. Title protection for the qualification. Uphold professional standards.
Social work is one of the few health professions in Australia that is not nationally registered through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Without National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) registration, anyone can call themselves a social worker.
This regulatory failure leaves vulnerable people at risk, creates inconsistencies between jurisdictions and undermines trust.
By joining the existing NRAS already regulating 16 other professions:
- The public will be better protected from harm
- Professional standards will be upheld and
- Only those who hold a social work qualification can use the title ‘social worker’.
The AASW has submitted its response addressing the criteria for entry to the Scheme to the relevant Ministers, and we continue to strongly advocate for the changes required.
National registration explained
National registration under the NRAS brings professions under a single, nationally consistent system of regulation. For social work, this would mean that the title ‘social worker’ is legally protected, and only those who meet agreed standards of education, practice, and ethics can use it.
The inclusion of social work within NRAS would create one clear standard across the country, replacing the current patchwork of regulatory systems. This Scheme has been in place since 2010 and is well established and widely regarded as a trusted system of professional regulation across Australia.
What the AASW is doing
The AASW’s Submission to Government
“What! …social workers are NOT registered…?”
Social workers play a unique role in advancing social justice, safeguarding community wellbeing, and upholding professional standards.
This submission highlights the risks of social work being an unregulated profession, including inconsistency in professional standards, fragmented accountability, and limited protection for people accessing social work services.
Registration through Ahpra is a vital safeguard for the public. Registration ensures that all social workers meet nationally consistent standards of education, practice, and accountability. In addition it strengthens trust in the profession and promotes better outcomes for individuals, families, and communities across Australia.
Transforming Health Professions Regulation in Australia: Independent Review Final Report
This report presents the findings from the Independent Review of Complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health practitioners.
The Review found:
1. That high risk professions should be assessed for immediate entry to NRAS. Social work stands as a clear example of such a profession.
2. That inclusion of social care professions is already permitted as per the existing Guidelines.
3. That broader risk factors should be included as part of consideration of entry to NRAS (aligning with the AASW’s submission).
“Many professions outside the Scheme arguably ought to be included, based on the presenting risks.”
”There is powerful ongoing advocacy for this, particularly from the social work profession”
Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) Regulatory Assessment
These guidelines explains the criteria and process for how new health professions can be added to Australia’s National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
Health Ministers Meeting (HMM) Communique
Australia’s Health Ministers met in September 2025. Health Ministers considered actions proposed in the Complexity Review by Independent Reviewer Sue Dawson to expand and grow NRAS to meet future needs.
They agreed to direct the Health Workforce Taskforce to review and revise the risk assessment method and process for assessing professions for entry to the Scheme by mid 2026.
Ministers also agreed to regulate audiology under the NRAS.
Why it matters
The case for registration rests on a simple principle: protecting the public. Social workers operate in complex, high-risk environments, from health and mental health services, family violence, disability, aged care and child protection, where decisions can have life-changing consequences.
We stress that most social workers practise in a safe, competent and ethical manner. At the same time, we have compiled in this submission what can only be considered overwhelming evidence of the need for greater public protection, with the many cases of egregious harm caused as a direct result of, or associated with, misconduct and /or failures of social work practice – patterns of harm that extends back over decades.
The Transforming Health Professions Regulation in Australia: Independent Review Final Report recognises how complex social work is. Action 2.4 of the Dawson Report recommends Ministers apply the existing risk-based method to assess further professions for inclusion in the NRAS, with jurisdictions responsible for identifying, ‘those professions where available evidence suggests a current and significant risk to public health and safety, such as to warrant consideration of immediate inclusion in the Scheme.’
Unregulated social work poses a significant risk to public health and safety.
We have undertaken a comprehensive study of the risk and regulatory requirements of the profession and are now seeking a decision by the Health Ministers.
Without national registration, regulatory failures continue to put people at risk across Australia. That’s why we are advocating for this reform and highlighting the risks of inaction. We will continue to campaign, engage with government, and provide evidence to ensure social work is recognised under NRAS.
Public safety
A public register of practitioners and protection of the title ‘social worker’ ensures that only those with accredited education and ongoing training can practice. The public is better protected from misconduct and poor standards of practice.
Professional capabilities
Registered social workers meet consistent, national standards. This means completing an AASW accredited degree, including at least 1,000 hours of supervised placement, maintaining supervision, and ongoing continuous professional development.
Professional accountability
Registration includes statutory powers to investigate misconduct and place conditions on practice or ban a social worker from practising – to keep the public safe.
Workforce mobility
National registration (as opposed to state-based) makes it easier for social workers and employers to work across states and territories. This provides consistent protections for the public but also supports workforce mobility across Australia.
What you can do
The future of regulation of social work through Ahpra is decided by federal, state and territory Health Ministers.
Help us put the pressure on! Use our template to write to your Health Minister.
We’re calling for you to get involved, raise awareness, share experiences, and lend collective strength to the call for national registration. Your voice makes a difference!
Email your Minister
Use the templates below to call for social work to be included in Ahpra’s national registration scheme.
To make it easy, you’ll find the details of your local health minister and their email attached in the template. Simply add your details and send directly to the minister.
Spread the word on socials
Help spread the message that the title of social worker should be protected and why registration will support safe and high quality care. Tell people what your social work degree means to you.
Post in your own words with the hashtags #SocialWorkRegistrationNow #SocialWorkInNRAS #AASW #Ahpra #SocialWork and tag AASW so we can share your story.
Be sure to also tag your Health Minister and the Federal Health Minister.
Find my local Health Minister
| State / Territory | Minister | Template |
| Federal | The Hon Mark Butler
Minister for Health and Ageing Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme |
Download |
| ACT | Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith
Minister for Health Minister for Mental Health Minister for Finance Minister for the Public Service |
Download |
| NSW | The Hon Ryan Park
Minister for Health Minister for Regional Health Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast |
Download |
| NT | Hon Steven Edgington
Minister for Health Minister for Mental Health Minister for Alcohol Policy Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development Minister for Essential Services |
Download |
| QLD | The Hon Tim Nicholls
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services |
Download |
| SA | The Hon Chris Picton
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Mental health |
Download |
| TAS | The Hon Bridget Archer
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister for Ageing Minister for Aboriginal Affairs |
Download |
| VIC | The Hon Mary-Anne Thomas
Minister for Health Minister for Ambulance Services |
Download |
| WA | The Hon Meredith Hammat
Minister for Health and Mental Health |
Download |
Why National Registration Through Ahpra?
The top five reasons social workers should be nationally registered:
Consistency – Ahpra already regulates 16 other professions and has done so for over a decade.
Allied health – social work is an allied health profession and Ahpra already regulates other allied health professions.
Protection of the public – Ahpra has been the regulator of other professions for over a decade protecting the public.
The qualification – once transition is complete, only social workers with a qualification can register with Ahpra.
Title protection – only those people with a qualification in social work and registered with Ahpra will be able to call themselves a social worker.
More about the AASW’s push for change
We invited members to join us for a webinar on the critical issue of national registration for social workers in Australia. The session provided an update on the AASW’s advocacy for national registration with Ahpra.
Featuring:
Jim Arneman ASM ACT Ambulance Service Intensive Care Paramedic and Duty Officer (Operations).
Jim, former Secretary of the Australasian Council of Ambulance Unions, provides his insightful perspective on the paramedic journey to national registration in 2017.
Cindy Smith AASW CEO
Cindy shares the campaign efforts and actions we are taking to progress national registration for the social work profession.
Dominic Szeker AASW Senior Policy Advisor
Dominic provides an overview of NRAS and what national registration would look like.
Social Work Focus
This special edition of Social Work Focus highlights the critical importance of national registration for social workers.
It gives readers a clear picture of why regulation matters to protect vulnerable communities. Drawing on coroners’ reports, workforce data, and international comparisons, the articles collectively demonstrate how the absence of consistent statutory regulation leaves gaps in accountability, training, and public protection.
Through case studies, updates on political advocacy, and voices from across the sector, the magazine shows both the progress being made and what still needs to be done. It’s a valuable read for anyone who wants to understand the stakes, support the push for reform, and see how social workers themselves are shaping the future of their profession.
Join the conversation
We are getting the word out. Join us on social media, and make it clear that #SocialWorkRegistrationNow #SocialWorkInNRAS #AASW #Ahpra #SocialWork
Contact us
For media enquiries, please contact the AASW media team: [email protected]
For enquiries related to national registration, please contact the AASW Social Policy and Advocacy team: [email protected]
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
For more information, visit our FAQs page
Left to right: Cindy Smith CEO, Dominic Szeker Senior Policy Advisor, Jamie Ling Social Policy & Advocacy Officer, Sue O’Sullivan GM Social Policy & Advocacy