International Qualification Recognition

International Qualification Recognition

Assessment of International Social Work Qualifications for migration and/or employment purposes

If you are migrating to Australia and seeking recognition as an internationally qualified social worker for migration and/or employment purposes, we can help you.

On behalf of the Australian Government, as a nominated assessing authority, we assess academic social work qualifications by assessing your qualification for migration purposes.

We also assess your international social work qualification for AASW membership eligibility for employment purposes.

The MEA Team is looking forward to assisting applicants and will be available to guide you through the new online process if you’re planning to migrate to Australia and need recognition as a qualified social worker for migration and/or employment purposes.

How will it all work?

The AASW website through a MyAASW account will be where you will link into the online process

To assist you with lodging your application online, a series of Guides for specific types of applications have been developed. The Guide for your specific application will help you with your application.

Criteria

1: The qualification must be a specific qualification in social work.

2: The qualification must be regarded as a professional social work qualification in the country of training.

3: The learning outcomes of the professional social work qualification is comparable to the learning outcomes that graduates of AASW accredited social work qualifications must demonstrate.

4:  At least 1000 hours of field education in at least two placements and with two contrasting practice foci, with a requirement that one placement must be in direct practice.

5: A high level English language skill (as per the AASW English language policy) is demonstrated.

Complete your application

Please complete the online application below.

You will receive email notification acknowledging the receipt of your application.

Note: This form includes a section for two optional assessments:

  • A skilled employment assessment in social work assessment for those with at least one year of post qualifying social work experience in Australia or at least three years of post qualifying social work experience overseas.
  • A Doctorate Degree assessment in social work assessment.

Applicants are required to have their social work qualification assessed prior to applying for the optional assessments.

Online Application
Processing times

Please allow 14-16 weeks for your application to be processed from the date it was deemed pending assessment (pending assessment is the date that the AASW deems your application is complete and ready for assessment).

Fees
Description FY 2025 – 2026 Fees
(Pricing effective from 1st July 2025)
1.1) Assessment fee if correspondence address is outside Australia AU $ 2,123.64
1.2) Assessment fee if correspondence address is within Australia AU $ 2,336.00 (includes GST)
1.3) (Optional) Skilled employment assessment for 1-3 positions if correspondence address is outside Australia AU $ 943.64
1.4) (Optional) Skilled employment assessment for 1-3 positions if correspondence address is within Australia AU $ 1,038.00 (includes GST)
1.5) (Optional) Skilled Employment fee per additional (4+) employment position if correspondence address is outside Australia AU $ 176.36
1.6) (Optional) Skilled Employment fee per additional (4+) employment position if correspondence address is within Australia AU $ 194.00 (includes GST)
1.7) (Optional) Doctorate Degree assessment if correspondence address is outside Australia AU $ 530.91
1.8) (Optional) Doctorate Degree assessment if correspondence address is within Australia AU $ 584.00 (includes GST)
FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions