Introduction
Migrating to Australia as a qualified social worker can be a rewarding pathway to build your career and enjoy a high quality of life. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you understand the key stages—from confirming your occupation on Australia’s skilled lists, through skills assessment and visa application, to settling in and finding work.
1. Confirm Your Occupation on the Skilled Occupation Lists
You need to make sure that Social Worker (ANZSCO code 272511) is included on the list for the visa that you are targeting. As of May 2025, Social Worker may be eligible for the below visa:
The first three visas are points-tested and require you to achieve at least 65 points (check your points here), based on factors like age, qualifications, work experience and English proficiency. The last visa subclass is an employer sponsor visa, which means you need the sponsorship from an approved employer in order to apply for this visa.
There are many opportunities to migrate to Australia as a social worker. However, you must become a qualified Social Worker in Australia first before you can apply for these visas.
2. Become a qualified Social Worker in Australia
To become a social worker in Australia, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Qualification: You need to obtain a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in Social Work from a university in Australia. Please note that you must choose a program that is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- AASW Membership: After getting an accredited qualification, you must apply for membership with AASW. To become a member, you will need to provide proof of your social work qualification and meet the membership criteria set by the AASW.
- AASW Skills Assessment: This assessment is necessary for you to apply for certain visas. The AASW assesses your social work qualification, educational background, and work experience to determine whether or not you meet the required standards for social work practice in Australia.
- Registration: In some Australian states or territories, social workers are required to register with the relevant regulatory authority. As part of registration process, you may need to complete an application, provide proof of qualifications and AASW membership, and pay the necessary fees.
3. Obtain a Migration Skills Assessment from the AASW
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is the assessing authority for social workers. You must demonstrate that your qualification and professional experience meet Australian standards.
To apply for a skills assessment for social worker, you must include the following information and documentation in your application.
- Degree: Attach certified copies of your degree certificates. If you have completed a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree, you should also provide your undergraduate degree documents.
- Academic transcript: Attach certified copy of your academic transcripts. The transcript should include all the details of the educational courses that you have completed, for examples, subjects, results/marks, the duration of study, and whether it was conducted on a full-time or part-time basis. If you have completed a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree, you will also need to submit evidence of your undergraduate qualification.
- English proficiency: As a social worker, you will need to have a high level of English language proficiency. You need to prove that you meet the English language requirements specified by the AASW.
- You must achieve an IELTS Academic result with a minimum overall band of 7.0 (no band below 7.0), or equivalent.
- You will be exempt for English language requirement if you complete all secondary education, taught in English, in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America, and successfully completed the three years or more full- time tertiary program (at Bachelor Degree level or higher), taught in English, in one of these countries.
- Other documentation:
- Certified copy of the identity page of your passport.
- If applicable, provide evidence of a change of name. This may include a certified copy of the change of name document, such as a marriage certificate.
- If applicable, include an agent’s authorisation form. This form grants authorization to an agent or proxy who will lodge the application and deal with the AASW on your behalf.
Typical processing times are around 3–4 weeks after your application is complete.
4. Apply for a visa to stay and migrate to Australia
This visa subclass lets approved Australian employers sponsor skilled workers to fill labour shortages when they can’t find qualified local candidates. Although it’s a temporary visa, it allows you to stay in Australia for up to four years, and it also provides you with a pathway to permanent residency via 186 visa.
Skilled visas (189, 190, 491): If you can’t find an employer who is committed to sponsor you, you can apply for one of the following skilled visas:
- Visa 189: It is a permanent, points-tested visa for skilled migrants who aren’t sponsored by an employer or state/territory. To apply for this visa, you need to obtain a score of at least 65 points, and the points will be calculated based on age, English, qualifications, experience and other factors.
- Visa 190: It is also a permanent, points-tested visa but requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. The 190 visa holders have the same benefits as the 189 visa, but they need to commit to living and working in the nominating region for at least 2 years.
- Visa 491: It is a five-year provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory in a designated regional area. The 491 is a points-tested visa like the 189/190 visas, but the visa holders must live and work in the regional area for at least 3 years. It provides a pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191) after three years of meeting residence and income requirements.
If you wish to help with student visa applications, contact our experienced Migration Agent today on 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.com. Our team will instruct you through all the process.