AASW Skills Assessment Guide 2026

AASW Skills Assessment by the
Australian Association of Social
Workers
The AASW Skills Assessment is the mandatory migration assessment for overseas
social workers applying for skilled migration to Australia. Conducted by the
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as the government-approved
assessing authority, the assessment confirms that your social work qualification,
fieldwork hours, and English language proficiency meet Australian professional
standards under ANZSCO 272511. Without a positive AASW Skills Assessment
outcome, no Expression of Interest can be submitted and no skilled migration visa
application can proceed.

What Is the AASW Skills Assessment?
The AASW Skills Assessment is formally called the Migration and Eligibility
Assessment (MEA). It is conducted by the Australian Association of Social Workers
on behalf of the Australian Government and evaluates overseas social work
qualifications against the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation
Standards (ASWEAS). A positive MEA outcome confirms that your qualification is
comparable to an Australian Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work and
that you meet the entry-level standard for professional social work practice in
Australia.
AASW assessment outcomes are valid for 3 years from the date of issue. If your
assessment expires before your visa is granted, you must apply for a new
assessment. The MEA also determines eligibility for AASW membership, which is
required for employment as a qualified social worker in most Australian health and
community services settings.
Important Distinction: ANZSCO Code is assessed by (AASW). Other related
occupations like Community Workers, youth workers and welfare support workers
are assessed by(CWA – formerly ACWA not AASW). Ensure your correct ANZSCO
code matches before submitting your application to the right authority.
Who Needs the AASW Skills Assessment in
2026?
The AASW Skills Assessment is required for overseas professionals who meet the
following conditions.
● Your nominated ANZSCO occupation is Social Worker (272511).
● You are applying for a points-tested skilled migration visa including Subclass
189, 190, or 491.
● You completed your social work qualification outside Australia, or you
completed an AASW-accredited program inside Australia for certain visa
subclasses.
● You need to demonstrate eligibility for AASW membership for employment
purposes alongside migration purposes.
From 20 May 2026, AASW is accepting the IELTS One Skill Retake Test as part of
English language evidence. This must be taken within 60 days of the original full test
date. Confirm current English evidence requirements directly on the AASW portal
before lodging your application.

Australian Social Work Assessment Pathways
in 2026
AASW assesses social work qualifications through four main pathways depending
on where and how you qualified.
1. Pathway 1: International Qualification Assessment
For social workers who completed their qualification outside Australia. Your
Overseas Qualification Your degree (whether it is undergraduate or
graduate-level) must be the equivalent of an Australian Bachelor of Social
Work or Master of Social Work. AASW scrutinises your course for its content,
intensity and subject streams in relation to the ASWEAS standards. It is the
most popular option for overseas social workers immigrating under ANZSCO
272511.
2. Pathway 2: AASW-Accredited Australian Qualification
Completed AASW-accredited Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social
Work from a university located in Australia. (This also includes international
students undertaking studies at an Australian university. “Proof of completion”
and academic transcripts must be provided). Online lodgement is available for
this pathway.
3. Pathway 3: Skilled Employment Assessment
(Optional)
An additional optional assessment for those with post-qualifying social work
experience. Requires at least one year of post-qualifying social work
employment in Australia or at least three years of overseas post-qualifying
experience within the past ten years. This assessment supports claims for
employment points in the EOI points test.
4. Pathway 4: Doctorate Assessment (Optional)
For applicants who hold a Doctorate of Philosophy majoring in Social Work in
addition to a primary social work qualification already assessed by AASW.
This is an additional optional component and requires a previously completed
primary AASW assessment.

Supervised Fieldwork Hours Required for
Social Work Migration
Fieldwork hours are the most common reason AASW applications receive a negative
or delayed outcome. The requirements are strict and non-negotiable.
● Minimum 980 hours of supervised field education across a minimum of two
separate placements.
● Each placement must emphasise a different practice area or context.
● At least one placement must focus on direct practice with individuals, families,
or groups.
● Hours must be documented through official placement records from your
educational institution, self-declared hours are not accepted.
● Hours must have been completed as part of your accredited social work
program, not through general employment.
2026 Note: Some sources cite 1,000 hours as the minimum. AASW official
documentation from 2026 confirms the threshold is 980 hours. Confirm current
requirements directly on aasw.asn.au before preparing your application as policy is
subject to review.
English Language Requirements for Social
Worker Migration
All applicants must meet English language requirements unless exempt. Exemption
applies if you completed all secondary and tertiary education delivered and assessed
in English in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, or Ireland.
Test
Minimum Score
Notes
IELTS Academic
7.0 overall, no band
below 7.0
Results from two sittings within 6
months can be combined. IELTS
One Skill Retake accepted from 20
May 2026 within 60 days of original
test.
PTE Academic
Equivalent standard,
confirm current
minimums on AASW
portal
Check aasw.asn.au for current
accepted PTE scores
TOEFL iBT
Equivalent standard,
confirm current
minimums on AASW
portal
Check aasw.asn.au for current
accepted TOEFL scores

OET
Equivalent standard,
confirm current
minimums on AASW
portal
Check aasw.asn.au for current
accepted OET scores
English Test Validity: English test results must be current at the time of AASW
application. Results older than the accepted validity period are not accepted. Confirm
current validity requirements on the AASW portal before booking your test.
Documents Required for the Australian Social
Work Assessment
1. All Applicants
● Certified copy of passport or government-issued photo identification
● Certified academic transcript and degree certificate for all social work
qualifications claimed
● Course outline confirming program content, duration, and subject focus
against ASWEAS criteria
● Evidence of supervised fieldwork placements confirming hours,
placement settings, and supervisors
● English language test results where exemption does not apply
● Evidence of name change if applicable
2. International Qualification Applicants Only
● Official translation of all academic documents if not in English
● Confirmation from your educational institution that you met all course
requirements and have graduated or are eligible to graduate
● Where Required: evidence of professional registration or membership
in your country of qualification
Social Worker Assessment Fees and
Processing Times 2026
Assessment Type
Fee AUD 2026
Processing Time
Standard Migration and
Eligibility Assessment
(MEA)
Confirm current fee on
aasw.asn.au,
approximately AUD 700 to
AUD 900
Applications lodged 8 May
2026 are being assessed
from 20 July 2026,
approximately 10 weeks as
of mid-2026