The AASW does not currently accept the One Skill Retake Test. 

The IELTS Academic Test is the only English language proficiency test that is accepted to meet the AASW English Language Policy. The test is to be completed face to face in a supervised official IDP/British Council IELTS Testing Centre and completed as a computer based or paper based IELTS Academic Test.

The AASW does not accept online IELTS Tests.

Applicants must demonstrate evidence of English language proficiency in the IELTS Academic Test through one or two test sittings in six months, provided that:

• a minimum score of 7.0 is achieved in either one or two settings; and
• a minimum score of 7.0 is achieved in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking) in a maximum of two sittings in a six-month period, and no component score is below 6.5. Where a component score falls below 6.5, the test is not acceptable.

You may be exempt from sitting the IELTS Academic Test if you:

• completed your secondary education in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or USA, and
• you successfully completed the equivalent of three years or more of full-time tertiary study (at Bachelor degree level or higher) in English, in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or USA.

To qualify for an exemption, please submit one of the following:

• a certified copy of your secondary education results showing that you were taught and assessed in English, or
• a certified letter from your secondary school, or the relevant department of education in your country of study, confirming that your secondary education was successfully completed, taught and assessed in English.

If you are not able to provide either of the above documents but you can show that you tried to get them, you can provide a Statutory Declaration stating all of your secondary education results from Year 7—12.

Even with a Statutory Declaration, we may ask you to take the IELTS Academic Test to confirm your English language proficiency.

Read more about our English language proficiency requirements

You could submit:

• a certified copy of your secondary education results, or
• a letter from your Secondary School or the relevant department of education in your country of study, or
• a Statutory Declaration verifying that you successfully completed secondary education and were taught and assessed in English.

Your Statutory Declaration should include:

• the name of your secondary school and the country of study
• the grade level you completed
• the years you attended the secondary school
• confirmation that you were taught and assessed in English.

The AASW sets the professional standards for social work practice in Australia. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are important for safe, professional and accountable social work practice.

We will email the outcome of your application as soon as possible. The estimated time it takes for different application types is below:

• Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with New Zealand – three weeks
• Migration applications for new graduates who have completed study at an Australian accredited AASW social work course – three to four weeks
• International Qualifications Assessments (IQAs) and Skilled Employment (SE) applications – 12 to 15 weeks
• Skilled Employment (SE) applications – three to four weeks
• Renewal of previous migration assessments – two weeks
• Duplication of previous assessments for and/or eligibility for AASW membership for employment purposes – two weeks.

If you have questions about your application you can email AASW. Please provide as much detail as possible so we can fully answer your questions. 

We don’t provide progress updates but you will receive an email to advise that we received your application. This email will also let you know if we need any further information or if your application has moved to the pending assessment stage.

Fees vary depending on the application and are listed on the relevant application page.

We understand that you may need to submit additional documentation. Please note that an additional fee may be applicable. To avoid any extra charges, we recommend that you carefully review the checklist provided in each application form to ensure all necessary documents are included when you submit your application.

A Statutory Declaration is a written statement that allows a person to declare something to be true. If you intentionally make a false statement in a declaration, you can be charged with an offence. Please refer to the jurisdiction in your country for the requirements for preparing a statutory declaration. If you live in Australia, please read this information about statutory declarations.

A certified copy is a copy of an original document such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or proof of identity that has been signed (or stamped) as being a true copy of an original by an authorised person or agency. For a list of occupations that can certify documents in Australia, please visit: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying-online-or-on-paper/on-paper/certified-copy

Outside of Australia, the following people are authorised to certify documents: Justices of the Peace, Notaries Public, Australian Consular Officers or Australian Diplomatic Officers (within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1955) and employees of the Commonwealth or the Australian Trade Commission who work outside of Australia.

Each copy of a document must be certified separately and clearly show:

• the words “certified true copy of the original”
• the signature of the certifying officer
• the name and address, or provider/registration number, of the certifying officer clearly printed below the signature (the AASW may need to contact the certifying officer so please ensure the contact details are clear)

Each copy of a document must have the certification on the front page.

Please send the original certified copy, not a photocopy of the certified copy. Please do not send originals of documents.

You need to be a qualified social worker to apply to the AASW. If you are not qualified, you could contact one of the following professional associations to find out if they will assess you.

• Australian Psychological Society 
• Australian Community Workers Association

You need to be a qualified social worker to apply to the AASW. We can start your assessment after you provide a certified graduation certificate, or certified letter from your educational institution to confirm that you completed all course requirements. Please submit this letter along with the academic transcript and course outline.