Australian Association of Social Workers
Contact
Phone: (03) 9320 1000
Email: membership@aasw.asn.au
Website: www.aasw.asn.au
Address: Level 7, 14-20 Blackwood St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
About
Social workers partner with people to address personal difficulties and structural barriers, focussing on wellbeing and human rights. The AASW is the national professional body representing more than 17,000 social workers throughout Australia in a wide range of settings, locations, fields of practice and modes of delivery.
The AASW promotes the professional interests and meets the professional needs of members practising across all fields of employment and in all locations.
Vision & Mission
Our vision is for wellbeing and social justice in Australia.
Our mission is to champion the social work profession, drive professional growth and create a better future. We do this by setting the standards for social work qualifications, professional practice, and ethical conduct, providing comprehensive ongoing learning, building a connected and collaborative professional community, and by advocating for social justice, inclusion and human rights. This demonstrates our interconnected commitment to both the profession and the broader goal of creating a fairer, more just society.
Advocacy
Advocacy is central to all social work practice, and therefore, it is also central to the AASW’s work. In partnering with people to build their resilience, and address the challenges in their lives, social workers also advocate for their human rights. The AASW advocates to decision makers for recognition of its members’ expertise and their contribution to improved outcomes for the people with whom they work. That can include advocacy about pay parity, workforce composition and program structure. The AASW simultaneously advocates for reforms to the polices and programs that create obstacles to health and wellbeing of vulnerable and marginalised people.
Regulation / Accreditation
Social work is a self-regulating profession. Registration is not required for social workers, although as of July 2025, registration is required to deliver some social work services in South Australia. Membership of the AASW is voluntary, although eligibility for AASW membership is often required for employment in social work job positions.
Members who meet CPD requirements are eligible for formal accreditation as Accredited Social Workers, or as leaders in specialist fields of practice, such as Accredited Disability Social Worker, Accredited Older Persons Social Worker. The Accredited Mental Health Social Worker credential, which is accredited by the AASW, is required to access some funding sources, including the Better Access initiative and the Chronic Disease Management programs.