Recognising qualified social workers
As the professional representative body for social workers in Australia, the AASW sets the benchmark for professional education and practice standards of social workers. The legally protected Collective Trade Mark allows social workers who meet these standards to distinguish themselves to clients, employers and the general public as professionals with legitimate credentials.
How the AASW collective trade mark benefits employers and clients
You can find out if you are employing or accessing the services of a legitimate, professionally trained social worker, by asking them if they are registered for an AASW trade mark and requesting to see their Trade Mark Registration Certificate. Alternatively, you can check their registration on the AASW's public register. Employers recruiting for professional social work positions can also look for applicants displaying the logo.
The trade mark is exclusively available to members of the AASW and instantly identifies and credentials a social workers using it as a degree-level, qualified professional who is accountable to the AASW Code of Ethics. As well as providing a mark of quality, the trade mark also provides increased protection and safety for clients accessing social work services.
Find out more about what the AASW now offers employers by accessing the Employer Benefits Information Sheet
What should I look for?
Accreditation is the gold standard. The AASW has two types of accredited trade marks:
- Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Trade Mark
The two accredited trade marks indicate formal accreditation with the AASW and therefore represent the gold standard in professional recognition of social workers.
Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark
The Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark identifies professionally qualified Social Workers who are accountable to the AASW Code of Ethics and who have committed to, and completed a minimum amount of ongoing, annual, continuing professional development. This trade mark is a gold standard in professional recognition for social work and users of this trade mark are considered by the AASW as preferred employees/service providers.
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Trade Mark
The Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Trade Mark instantly identifies professionally qualified Social Workers who have been assessed by the AASW, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, as having specialist expertise in the field of mental health, are accountable to the AASW Code of Ethics and who have committed to, and completed a minimum amount of ongoing, annual, continuing professional development. This trade mark is also a gold standard in professional recognition for social workers working in the field of mental health.
In order to be eligible to become an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, applicants need to be members of the AASW, need to have demonstrated specific skills, knowledge and experience in the field of mental health and need to complete, and commit to a minimum amount of ongoing, annual Continuing Professional Development of which a prescribed amount must be mental health related.
Social Worker Trade Mark
The Social Worker Trade Mark identifies professionally qualified Social Workers who are accountable to the AASW Code of Ethics 2010.
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More information
Please download our information sheets for more information.
- Accredited Social Worker and Social Worker Trade Marks information sheet
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Trade Mark information sheet
In the absence of formal registration and legal protection of title for the social work profession, using the Trade Mark immediately identifies social workers who are legitimate, professionally trained and bound by a Code of Ethics, and distinguishes them from others using the term 'social worker' who may not have legitimate credentials.
As well as implementing the AASW Collective Trade Marks, the AASW is continuing to pursue formal registration of the profession. Read more information about the AASW registration campaign
