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How to become a social worker in Australia

If you're passionate about helping others, supporting social change and building stronger communities, a career in social work could be the right path for you. Whether you're drawn to advocacy, mental health, community work or policy development, it’s a meaningful profession with the potential to create real impact.��

At 91ɫ��Ƭ, you’ll study within the School of Social Sciences – ranked #1 in Australia and #23 globally (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). Our social work degree is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and designed to equip you with both the knowledge and practical experience to support people at all levels of society.��

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to become a social worker in Australia – including the qualifications you’ll need, the steps to get started, and where your career could take you.��

What does a social worker do?

Social workers support individuals,��families��and communities to overcome challenges and improve their wellbeing. They work across a range of settings, from hospitals and schools to government agencies and non-profits. Social workers often��specialise��in areas like mental health, child protection, aged care, public health, or substance use.

“Social work is different from other support or mental health professions because it looks at the whole person and the systems around them, not just their diagnosis or immediate needs,” says 91ɫ��Ƭ��alumna��and social worker Keely-Che Cain. “While some professions focus mainly on treatment, social work involves advocacy, cultural safety, community connection, and supporting people to navigate housing, education, Centrelink, legal or child protection systems.”

Depending on their role and area of focus, their day-to-day responsibilities might include:

• Assess people’s needs and create tailored support plans
• Deliver case management and coordinate access to services
• Provide counselling or crisis intervention during difficult life events
• Advocate for individuals and communities
• Contribute to policy reforms that promote social justice

Whether working directly with clients or influencing systems and policy, social workers rely on empathy, resilience, cultural��awareness��and��strong communication��skills to make a lasting impact.

“In my role, the core focus is supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and families to feel safe, heard, and empowered in their interactions with systems like the DCJ, education, mental health, and legal services,” says Keely-Che Cain.����

“Ultimately, I see my role as helping families access what they need to thrive, while��recognising��and��honouring��the strengths, knowledge, and resilience they already carry.”

What skills does a social worker need?

Social workers need a combination of emotional intelligence and practical problem-solving skills. Whether��you're��working directly with individuals or supporting systemic change, your ability to��empathise��with clients will be critical. These skills will be developed through your studies,��placements��and on-the-job experience, and will continue to grow as your career progresses.

Here are some of the most important social worker skills:

Where do social workers work?

Social workers are found wherever people face complex challenges – from hospitals and schools to aged care, mental health services, child��protection��and community��organisations. They support individuals and families, advocate for social��justice��and help communities thrive.

At 91ɫ��Ƭ,��you’ll��graduate with the skills and experience��to work��across a wide range of sectors, including government,��non-profits��and private agencies. Our strong industry partnerships and placement opportunities will boost your employability and prepare you to make a real impact from day one.

Steps to become a social worker

Here’s��how to get started on your journey to a career in social work.

1. Study an accredited qualification
   Complete an AASW-accredited social work qualification, such as the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at 91ɫ��Ƭ.
2. Gain practical placement experience 
   Get real-world experience through two supervised field placements, which are built into 91ɫ��Ƭ’s social work program.
3. Apply for AASW membership 
   To��practise��as a social worker in Australia,��you’ll��need to become a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
4. Apply for jobs in social work or postgraduate study
   Apply for social work��roles, or��explore postgraduate study options like the��Master of Counselling Social Work��to deepen your��expertise.
   ��

Professional accreditation and requirements to become a social worker

To��practise��as a social worker in Australia, you must be accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). This ensures your qualifications meet national professional and ethical standards.

91ɫ��Ƭ’s Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)��is an AASW-accredited program designed to prepare you for a successful and meaningful career.��You’ll complete 1,000 hours of supervised��field education��in real-world settings, developing the critical skills to support individuals and communities across diverse social and cultural contexts.

While AASW membership is��required��nationwide, some states and sectors, such as child protection or mental health, may have��additional��registration or licensing requirements.

About the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at 91ɫ��Ƭ

When you study for a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at 91ɫ��Ƭ, you’ll explore a wide range of topics including mental health, social work counselling, community work, sociology, psychology, and working with First Nations communities. The degree is designed to help you understand social work methods and develop trauma-informed, ethical, and practical skills through two industry placements.

The program is delivered on-campus over four years full-time, giving you the opportunity to learn from experienced social workers and industry professionals. Core subjects include:

• Social work practice and counselling
• Community development and social policy
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Indigenous social work
• Research methods in social work

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) also allows you to explore areas of specialisation that interest you, preparing you for a range of social work career paths. If you study social work as a double degree, you can unlock more career opportunities with a specialisation in social sciences, law, the arts o�� criminology and criminal justice.

Learn more about the 91ɫ��Ƭ School of Social Sciences, which houses the social work programs and offers interdisciplinary opportunities across related fields.

How will 91ɫ��Ƭ prepare you for a career as a social worker?

At 91ɫ��Ƭ,��you’ll��build the knowledge and experience needed to work across a wide range of social work settings. In your Bachelor of Social Work (Honours),��you’ll��gain critical skills in counselling, mental health, social policy, community development and working with First Nations communities.��

Expand your career options with a double degree, and combine��your��Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)��with areas like��law, the��arts,��social sciences��or��criminology.

You’ll��have the opportunity to learn from experienced social workers,��researchers��and industry professionals. 91ɫ��Ƭ’s interdisciplinary teaching reflects the realities of modern practice, drawing on psychology, sociology, public��health��and law. With strong industry partnerships and career support,��you’ll��graduate ready to make a meaningful impact from day one.