To work as a social worker in Australia, you are required to be accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). The AASW sets professional education, and practice standards enacted by social workers across Australia. Social workers can distinguish themselves as legitimate professionals by accreditation with the Social Workers Accreditation Australia. Social workers are now accredited with trademarks that the AASW developed. These trademarks consist of the following:
- Accredited social worker trade mark
- Accredited mental health social worker trade mark
- Social workers trademark
Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark
This trade mark identifies social workers are being accountable to the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), as well as their educational standards, codes of ethics and professional development. Social workers with an accredited social worker Trade Mark are recognised as the preferred providers of social work services.
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Trade Mark
Social workers who have been accredited by the Mental Health and Social Worker Trade Mark have been assessed by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) on behalf of the Commonwealth government. This assessment recognises that the social worker has socialist knowledge in mental health, and are therefore held accountable to AASW’s educational standards, codes of ethics and professional development. This accreditation is recognised as the gold standard for mental health social workers.
To be eligible for the accredited mental health social worker trade mark you must meet the following:
- You must be a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers
- Demonstrate skills in the mental health field
- Demonstrate knowledge in the mental health field
- Demonstrate experience in the mental health field
- You must undertake ongoing continually professional development
Social Worker Trade Mark
The Social Worker Trade Mark identifies professionally qualified social workers who are held responsible to the Australian Association of Social Workers, and their code of ethics. However, this is not a gold standard of accreditation. If you would like a gold standard accreditation, then please refer to the above Trade Mark types.
Australian Association of Social Workers Membership
If you are a professionally qualified social worker, then you may be eligible for membership with the AASW. Membership with the AASW is available to social workers who have been professionally qualified with an approved AASW qualification from an Australian tertiary institution. Overseas qualified social workers can receive membership with AASW, if they have a comparable qualification approved by the AASW. If you have been internationally qualified, then your qualifications must be assessed by the AASW. If you are a social worker student in an approved programme of study, you are also eligible for membership.
For more information pertaining to the accreditation process for social workers in Australia, or you wish to become a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) please refer to the AASW website. If you are a qualified social worker seeking employment opportunities, please refer to the social worker job vacancies here. If you would like our help in securing a social worker job please contact us, and submit an enquiry here. At HealthStaff Recruitment we can help you secure the right job for you, and we can also assist you with the accreditation process, and get your career underway today!