The fees vary for the different credentials. You can view the full schedule of fees here.

The Association is continually investing in the credentials program for members who obtain a credential. Investment has already been made in the following areas:

Focused Professional Development

The AASW has a dedicated Continuing Professional Development team who are creating new training content focused on the credentials. Some of this training is already accessible to credentialed members and can be viewed in the professional development section of the AASW web site.

Access to a community of other credentialed members

The AASW has recently launched the AASW Online Community Hub, known as Social Work Australia. All members are encouraged to join the hub and the specific groups in the same areas of interest as the credentials program.

The Hub will facilitate connection, community and collaboration amongst credentialed members in their area of specialty, enriching the skills and knowledge of members of the group.

Promoting credentialed members to the sector

The AASW has worked with and will continue to promote the credentials to the wider sector, including with major employers such as government departments, hospitals, the NDIS and private health insurers to create career opportunities for credentialed members.

Yes, social workers who meet the eligibility criteria for multiple AASW credentials are encouraged to apply for each that will benefit your work.

The AASW have worked closely with national Expert Advisory Groups to develop the Capability Frameworks. Members of the expert advisory group were experienced social workers engaged in public, government, non-government and academic capacities. Consultation was conducted with members and external stakeholders.

It is important that your capability assessment has the appropriate rigour so that clients, carers, the community, employers and other professions can confidently place trust in the credentialing process and credential holder.

Therefore, as part of the application process you will be required to complete a case study-based assessment to demonstrate your breadth of applied knowledge. This will be conducted at a date and time of your choosing which can be during working hours or on the weekend/outside of normal work hours.

You will need to nominate an invigilator who can observe you for the duration of the exam. Your invigilator cannot be a family member, spouse/partner or a direct report.

You may use a supervisor or manager in your workplace, a colleague outside your team, a Justice of the Peace (JP), or anybody who you can engage that you do not have a personal relationship with, such as an acquaintance.

The AASW makes contact with the Invigilator prior to the case study task to clarify their role and verify their identity. Both you and your invigilator will also be required to sign a declaration that the case study task conditions have been met.

For more information about the case study activity for AMHSW, please click here.

The clinical social work credential recognises advanced direct practice in a diverse range of practice settings. It recognises a breadth of practice and is broader than mental health.

Once you have successfully obtained your credential, you must maintain it by:

• Meeting your annual CPD requirements
• Meeting your recency of practice requirements
• Renewing your annual eligible AASW membership* and paying the associated fee each financial year
• Renewing your annual AASW credential membership and paying the associated fee each financial year.

* Please note that student and fully retired membership types are not eligible for AASW Credentials. You must be a Full, Reduced Fee or Graduate Member to be eligible.

There is no official process for putting your credential status on hold. Rather, if you choose not to renew your credential for any specific financial year, your credential membership will lapse, and you will be required to apply for reinstatement if you choose to renew it in the future.

If you need to re-instate your credential, you will need to follow the re-instatement process.

You can find information about the process and costs for reinstating your credential here.

We have created an e-guide called Everything you need to know about applying for a credential to assist you with the application process.   You can find links to the capability statements on page 6.  We recommend that you download the e-guide and save it to your desktop so that you can refer to it as you prepare to apply for a credential.

Access our free 45-minute webinar to gain a deeper understanding of why are credentials important, what’s involved in applying and how a credential sets you apart.

• Why the AASW has expanded the program and how social workers and employers benefit
• Hear from an AASW member and social worker on her experience of applying for a credential and how holding a credential has opened up opportunities
• What benefits employers gain when members of their team hold an AASW credential
• Tips for applying.

AMHSW Accreditation Resubmission Periods with AASW

Purpose: The resubmission periods within the AMHSW accreditation process ensure that candidates who do not initially meet the required standards have sufficient time to address deficiencies and improve their practice before reapplying. This helps maintain the high standards of the profession and ensures that accredited practitioners are fully equipped to provide quality mental health services.

Why a Resubmission Period:

1. Quality Assurance: Ensures that only those who meet the rigorous standards of the AASW can practice as AMHSWs, maintaining the integrity and quality of the profession.
2. Time for Improvement: Provides candidates with adequate time to address any deficiencies identified in their application or reassessment, allowing them to improve their practice and knowledge before reapplying.
3. Consistency in Standards: Helps maintain consistent standards across the profession by preventing repeated, immediate applications from candidates who have not yet met the necessary criteria.

Resubmission Periods for Unsuccessful Applications (Assessment and re-assessment process):

1. Failure in Practice Standards or Case Studies:
   • If a member fails either the practice standards or the case studies, they face a 3-month period before they can reapply from the date of the outcome letter
   • This period allows candidates to address specific deficiencies and improve their skills and knowledge.
2. Failure in Both Practice Standards and Case Studies:
   • If a member is unsuccessful in both areas, they must wait for a 6-month period before reapplying.
   • This ensures sufficient time for comprehensive improvement in both practice standards and case studies.
3. Unsuccessful Reapplication After Initial Exclusion:
   • If a member reapplies after an initial 3 or 6-month period and is still unsuccessful, they will face a 12-month exclusion period before they can reapply again.
   • This extended period aims to provide ample time for significant improvement and ensures that only those who meet the rigorous standards can achieve AMHSW accreditation.

By adhering to these structured waiting periods, the AASW ensures that AMHSW-accredited professionals are well-equipped to deliver high-quality mental health services, thereby safeguarding public welfare and upholding the standards of the social work profession.