How to become a social worker

Want to know how to become a social worker in Australia?

Social work students society meeting of students discuss ideas.

If you're interested in human relationships, helping others, and promoting social change, then you might be considering a career as a social worker.

A career as a social worker offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities. In Australia, becoming a social worker involves completing an accredited degree, gaining hands-on experience through placement and registering with the AASW. Whether you're driven by empathy, advocacy or a passion for social justice, this guide outlines the steps, qualifications and pathways you need to start your journey in social work. 

To help you choose if it's the right path for you, let's look at how to become a social worker in Australia, the qualifications you need and where your career might take you.

Steps to becoming a social worker

Understand the role of a social worker
Complete an accredited social work degree
Gain practical placement experience (integrated in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours))
Apply for AASW membership 
Explore postgraduate or specialist options 
Start your career in social work

What does a social worker do?

Social workers support and empower individuals, families, and communities overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. They can work directly with clients or advocate for social equality and justice, often specialising in areas such as:

Medical and public health
Mental health and substance abuse
Clinical social work
Non-clinical social work

On any given day, a social worker might:

Assess clients’ needs and develop tailored support plans and deliver effective case management
Connect people with healthcare, housing, or community services
Provide counselling, intervene in crises and offer guidance during crises or life transitions
Advocate for clients’ rights and contribute to social policy improvements

Whether they’re working in hospitals or community organisations, social workers rely on empathy, resilience, strong communication, cultural competence and a commitment to fairness and social justice to make a real difference in people’s lives.

What degree do you need to become a social worker?

So, what do you need to be a social worker? There are specific qualifications in Australia. Social workers must register with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). To register, you must satisfy the AASW education requirements. The social worker education requirements are either a bachelor's degree in the discipline or an approved undergraduate degree and a master's degree in social work.

When you study for a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at UNSW, 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 or criminology and criminal justice.

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

Professional accreditation and requirements

Accreditation through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is essential for practising as a social worker in Australia, as it recognises your qualifications and ensures you meet professional and ethical standards. While AASW membership is required nationally, some states or territories may have additional registration or licensing requirements for certain areas of practice, such as child protection or mental health services. Meeting these standards ensures you are fully recognised as a qualified social worker and can practise safely and professionally across different sectors.

Where do social workers work?

Social workers are needed wherever people face complex social, emotional, or practical challenges — particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, older adults and people experiencing disadvantage. They work across a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, aged care facilities, child protection services, mental health organisations and community agencies.

At UNSW, you’ll be prepared for these diverse environments through real-world placements that build confidence and practical experience. The university’s interdisciplinary teaching approach brings together insights from psychology, sociology, law and public health—reflecting the realities of modern social work practice. With AASW-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs, strong research expertise and comprehensive student support services, UNSW equips graduates to work effectively across sectors and make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

FAQs about becoming a social worker

Social work is a deeply rewarding career that allows you to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. As a social worker, you play a vital role in promoting wellbeing, human rights, and social justice — helping individuals and communities navigate challenges and build better futures.

It’s also a flexible profession, offering opportunities to work across many settings and specialisations, from child protection and mental health to hospitals, schools, and aged care. This variety means you can continue to grow and explore new areas throughout your career.

Social workers are in high demand across Australia, with employers ranging from government agencies to community organisations and private practices. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, demand for qualified social workers is expected to grow significantly over the next decade, making it not only a meaningful but also a stable and future-focused career choice.
To get the qualifications needed to be a social worker in Australia, you can expect to study full-time for four to six years. At a minimum, an undergraduate bachelor’s degree will take four years of full-time study. A postgraduate master’s degree is an additional two years of study.
It is possible to study social work courses or subjects associated with social work in related degrees (such as social welfare or community services). However, to become a registered social worker, you need to complete a bachelor's or master's degree in social work.

Drive change in your community

Discover a range of career options across many sectors, including private and government agencies, social welfare support organisations and community groups.

UNSW’s strong industry partnerships and placement opportunities will elevate your professional recognition and employability upon graduation.

Study social work