More AASW members meet the Aged Care Rules definition of a social worker
The definition of a social worker in the Aged Care Rules 2025 has changed from a person certified by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as an Accredited Social Worker to “a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers”. This allows more AASW members to meet this definition of a social worker, supporting workforce capacity in aged care.
This change was enacted by an amendment to the Aged Care Rules 2025, which has resulted in renewed requirements for social workers delivering Commonwealth-funded aged care services.
The Aged Care Amendment (September Indexation and Other Measures) Rules 2026 – Federal Register of Legislation was registered on 18 September 2026, with the amendment to the definition of social worker taking effect on 20 September 2026.
This means AASW membership, rather than Accredited Social Worker status, is now the relevant requirement under the Rules where a person is required to meet the definition of a social worker.
Why has the definition changed?
The AASW has been working with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to review the definition of social worker in the Aged Care Rules 2025 to better reflect social work as a self-regulated profession and the AASW’s role in setting and maintaining professional standards for social workers in Australia.
The change:
- Enables more AASW members to meet the definition of social worker under the Aged Care Rules 2025.
- Continues to ensure quality and safety of aged care service provision, as social workers are subject to professional standards, ethical requirements and professional oversight through AASW membership.
- Brings the definition into closer alignment with approaches to recognising social workers in other Commonwealth regulatory frameworks, including the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (Operational Standards for Rehabilitation Program Providers) Determination 2020, relevant Health Insurance Act instruments and the NDIS Practice Standards.
What does this mean for social workers?
The change applies in the context of funded aged care services regulated under the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025. It does not create a general requirement for all social workers who work with older people or provide privately funded services to be AASW members.
Funded aged care services are delivered within the registered provider framework established by the Aged Care Act 2024. Social workers may deliver services as employees or practitioners engaged by a registered provider. These changes therefore do not necessarily require every individual social worker delivering services to become a registered aged care provider.
Social workers and providers should continue to ensure that they meet any other requirements applying to the particular aged care program, service, provider registration category or role in which they are working.
Updated AASW guidance
The AASW is updating its guidance and resources for social workers on the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025 to reflect the amended definition and provide further information about what the new aged care framework means for social work practice.
Further information will be provided to members as these resources are updated.