Overview  

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is the Australian authority to conduct skill assessments for social workers aiming to migrate to Australia or seeking employment in social work roles. The AASW skill assessment is to evaluate the qualifications and experience of social workers against Australian standards to determine their suitability for migration or employment.  

What are AASW skill assessment requirements?     

Group 1: International students studying an AASW accredited social work program in Australia  

If you are international students who have completed a AASW accredited social work program in Australia, you are likely to meet the requirements for AASW skills assessment. All documents you need to submit are:   

  • Identity documents, such as passport or evidence of name change (if applicable)  
  • Evidence that you have completed an AASW accredited social work qualification, such as completion letter and academic transcription. Please note that your program must be accredited by AASW (Australian Association of Social Work).   

English language requirement:

  • You must obtain a minimum score of 7.0 and no band score is under 7.0. If you can’t achieve these requirements in one test sitting, you can combine the test results of two sittings within six months. Please note that you must achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall AND a minimum score of 7.0 in each component in both sittings AND no band score under 6.5.   
  • AASW only accepts English test from IELTS. No other tests are accepted.   
  • You can be exempt from IELTS test if you have completed your high school in English in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, the UK, South Africa or Ireland. And you have completed at least 3 years full-time tertiary study in these countries.   

Group 2: International Qualification Recognition   

If you obtain the qualification from overseas, then you must meet the following requirements:   

  • Your qualification overseas needs to be a specific qualification in social work.   
  • Your qualification must be recognized as a professional social work certification in the country where it was obtained.   
  • Your learning outcomes of the professional social work qualification should be equivalent to those expected from graduates with AASW-accredited social work qualifications.  
  • You must have a minimum of 980 hours of field education across two placements, each emphasizing different practice areas, with one specifically focusing on direct practice.  

English language requirement:   

  • You must obtain a minimum score of 7.0 and no band score is under 7.0. If you can’t achieve these requirements in one test sitting, you can combine the test results of two sittings within six months. Please note that you must achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall AND a minimum score of 7.0 in each component in both sittings AND no band score under 6.5.   
  • AASW only accepts English test from IELTS. No other tests are accepted.   
  • You can be exempt from IELTS test if you have completed you high school in English in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, the UK, South Africa or Ireland. And you have completed at least 3 years full-time tertiary study in these countries.   

To know if you are eligible for an AASW skill assessment, contact our Migration Agent today on 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.net.   

How to apply for a Skill Assessment AASW? 

Step 1: Complete the application form  

Step 2: Submit your application  

  • You must send the completed application form together with all required documents and application fee to AASW address:   

Postal address:  

Australian Association of Social workers 
MEA Program 
PO Box 2008 
Royal Melbourne Hospital VIC 3050  

Courier address  

Australian Association of Social workers 
MEA Program 
Level 7 
14-20 Blackwood Street 
North Melbourne VIC 3051  

  • Online application is not applicable for AASW. You must apply via post.   

Need help with an AASW application? Contact our experienced migration agents today on 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.net. Our team will reply to us within 24 hours at the latest.   

FAQs

What is the AASW skill assessment fee?  

For international students who have completed an AASW accredited social work in Australia  

Application    Fee (in AUD dollar)  
For AASW student members if correspondence address is within Australia    315.00  
For AASW student members if correspondence address is outside Australia    286.36  
Skill assessment fee if correspondence address is within Australia    420.00  
Skill assessment fee if correspondence address is outside Australia    286.36  
Skilled employment assessment for 1-3 positions if correspondence address is within Australia    404.00  
Skilled employment assessment for 1-3 positions if correspondence address is outside Australia   367.27  
Skilled employment assessment fee per additional position if correspondence address is within Australia   173.00  
Skilled employment assessment fee per additional position if correspondence address is outside Australia   157.27  

  

For those who obtained a social work qualification from overseas   

Application    Fee (in AUD dollar)  
Skill assessment fee if correspondence address is within Australia    2,079  
Skill assessment fee if correspondence address is outside Australia    1,890  
Doctorate Degree assessment if correspondence address is within Australia   520  
Doctorate Degree assessment if correspondence address is outside Australia   472.72  
Skilled employment assessment for 1-3 positions if correspondence address is within Australia    924  
Skilled employment assessment for 1-3 positions if correspondence address is outside Australia   840  
Skilled employment assessment fee per additional position if correspondence address is within Australia   173.00  
Skilled employment assessment fee per additional position if correspondence address is outside Australia   157.27  

What is the AASW skill assessment IELTS requirement? 

  • You must obtain a minimum score of 7.0 and no band score is under 7.0. If you can’t achieve these requirements in one test sitting, you can combine the test results of two sittings within six months. Please note that you must achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall AND a minimum score of 7.0 in each component in both sittings AND no band score under 6.5.  
  • However, you can be exempt from IELTS test if you have completed you high school in English in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, the UK, South Africa, or Ireland. And you have completed at least 3 years full-time tertiary study in these countries.   

How long does it take to get the result for AASW skill assessment?  

  • For international students studying an AASW accredited social work course in Australia, the time to get the AASW skill assessment result is quick, only 4 weeks from the date you lodge the application.    
  • If your qualification is obtained from overseas, the processing time will be much longer, approximately 12 – 15 weeks.   

I completed a three-year degree in social work, am I eligible for an AASW skill assessment? 

If you have completed your degree, including the field work placement, then AASW can assess your social work qualification. However, if your degree has not met the AASW learning outcomes, then you may need to provide additional information and documentation, such as your relevant study or your paid work experience in social work.   

What if my social work qualification is from a non-Australian institution? 

AASW can assess international qualifications. They evaluate whether the qualification aligns with Australian social work standards. In this case, you need to select the “International qualification recognition” scheme when submitting your skill assessment application.  

Do I need work experience to apply for the skill assessment? 

If you are an international student who have completed a AASW accredited social work degree in Australia, then no work experience is required. However, if you get your qualifications overseas, and especially if your degree doesn’t meet the Australian learning outcomes, then your work experience is often required.   

How can SOL Migration help you to obtain a positive skill assessment?      

SOL Migration has a strong team of 4 experienced Registered Migration Agents. Our Registered Migration Agents will assess your eligibility and guide you throughout all the application process. We will assist you in preparing all the relevant documents for your application.  

Contact us today on 07 3003 1899 or fill out the enquiry form. Our team will contact you within 24 hours at the latest!   

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