Social worker job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed social workers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed social workers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Persuading
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a social worker
A social worker’s job description can change from day to day depending on their clients.
Their duties can include:
- Identify client needs
- Connect clients with relevant community or health services
- Provide advice and mediation to clients
- Strategise, develop and run projects in the community
- Provide advocacy for clients in situations of inequality or injustice
- Work in collaboration with related organisations and agencies to improve community systems and services
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Makes a difference
The way you relate to and assist in the lives of some of the most vulnerable people can create unbelievably positive outcomes.
Learning opportunities
Working in the community with a diverse range of people, all with different situations and needs, creates opportunities for personal growth and learning every day.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a social worker
Growth in the job market for social workers is very strong.
Australia’s aging population, combined with pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic, are increasing the need for healthcare social services. For this reason, employment numbers in social work have been growing steadily. This trend is expected to continue by around 4,600 job openings per year, leading to a predicted 35,500 total employees by 2023.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
A fulfilling and exciting role in social work could be exactly where you want to stay. But an entry-level position could open up many job opportunities and a chance to progress down new career paths.
Some pathways for you could be:
Junior
-
Support worker
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Community Services
(CHC32015)
-
Volunteer coordinator
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
-
Youth support worker
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
Mid
-
Outreach worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315)
-
Family support worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (CHC40313)
-
Community development officer
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Development (CHC52115)
-
Youth worker
Most common qualification:Diploma of Youth Work (CHC50413)
-
Community corrections officer
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Correctional Practice (CSC40120)
Senior
-
Community development manager
Most common qualification:Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
-
Care manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
If you have a keen interest in the wellbeing of society and helping others, you already make a great candidate for a job as a social worker.
You can acquire many social working skills through time spent in the community or previous employment. Perhaps you already have a number of these skills at your disposal.
Communication
Effective communication with clients, teammates, and other key stakeholders in the community is one of the most crucial skills for a social worker.
Empathy
Being naturally compassionate towards others is essential in working with people in a caring role. It means you can build reports with clients and provide the best service to them.
Time management
A job in social work has varied tasks. It involves meetings, time spent in the community, and strict record-keeping processes. Good time management skills are crucial to ensure efficient job performance.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
Along with inherent skills that complement your entry into social work, you need specific skills and knowledge learned in a social work degree.
Some of the practical social worker skills you need are:
Social sciences
Policy development and research
People management
Human rights and social justice
Individual and family interview processes
Counselling and problem resolution
Case record and report management
Resource assessments
Project development
Case management
Substance abuse management
The social work course equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to advocate both on an individual basis and systemically to help people, communities, and society thrive and flourish. Social workers can work in many fields once they qualify, including mental health, child protection, family violence, homelessness, aged care, community development, academia and management.
Christine Craik
National President, Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
How to become a social worker
-
Study
As the minimum requirement to start work as a social worker, you must complete a Bachelor of Social Work through a registered training organisation. If you already have a degree in a related discipline, you can study a Master of Social Work program, which takes two years.
-
Join the AASW
The Australian Association of Social Workers is a community of over 14000 members. Joining allows you access to ongoing professional development and a range of products and services to help you evolve in your career as a social worker.
-
Get a Police Check and a Working with Children Check
In the recruitment process for jobs in community services, you are often required to have a police and working with children check performed, especially if you wish to work with a government or community agency.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate IV in Youth Work
Another pathway option, a Certificate IV in Youth Work (CHC40413) teaches skills in developing and facilitating programs for young people through a range of community-based programs.
The average course duration is one year, can be delivered online or in-class and involves a work placement unit.
You may be eligible for a government-subsidised fee, and payment plans are often available.
8 providers offer this course
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
A Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (CHC43215) provides the skills and knowledge you need to provide services and interventions to clients with alcohol and other drugs issues.
Work in this field can include withdrawal services, rehabilitation services and outreach services under the guidance of senior practitioners and professionals.
The average course duration is one year, can be completed in-class or online and is eligible for government funding if you meet the requirements.
8 providers offer this course
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
If you are not ready to take on a full-time degree, a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Community Rehabilitation) (HLT43015) provides the skills and knowledge for those who provide support to allied health professionals.
This qualification involves 120 hours of work experience and, on average, takes a year to complete. Coursework can be delivered online, on-campus or blended, and you may be eligible for fee assistance for course costs.
3 providers offer this course
Bachelor of Social Work
This degree provides the skills and knowledge for a career as a social worker.
The average time it takes to complete a Bachelor of Social work is four years full-time or part-time equivalent. Social work students are required to take industry-based placements under experienced social workers’ supervision. There are options for online or blended learning formats.
Most providers offer payment plan schedules, and you may be eligible for a government-subsidised fee. Enquire about a course to get more detailed information on entry requirements.
Related subjects
Jobs in community services come in many different shapes and forms. They all need a workforce of people who care about the community’s health and want to make a positive difference.
Some other careers to explore:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Samikshya
Sep 09 2021Overall rewarding job that has many benefits, helping people with disabilities.
What are the best parts of the job?
• Providing support to the people who have a permanent disability. • Empowering people, focusing on their strengths. • Communicating and working from a holistic approach. • Working with a multidisciplinary team in a multicultural environment. • Maximum outreach services to provide support to the people in community. • Meeting different people, listening their stories and assessing with proper a plan, implementation and review to achieve the goals.
What's the most challenging part?
• Situation handling • Communication is a challenging factor when English isn't your main language • Overwhelming and burnout as you have to listen pain, trauma and different stories. • Coordination with internal and external stakeholders • Liaising and working with the team
Divin
Sep 01 2021Satisfying and fulfilling role.
What are the best parts of the job?
I am very passionate about helping community and people in need. This jobs gives me satisfaction and fulfilment in my carreer.
What's the most challenging part?
Handling challenging behaviours from clients is the most difficult part of the job.
Pamela
Sep 01 2021Plenty of room to develop and further skills, but there's a lot of confronting information.
What are the best parts of the job?
I have a great team and opportunities to develop new skills.
What's the most challenging part?
Working with child abuse information becomes challenging and tiring.
Related articles
If you love the sound of the social work profession and are keen to know more, plenty of resources are available. Take a deep dive into industry information as well tips on how to get your foot in the door:
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
Social work is an industry that needs people with an abundance of compassion and empathy. That’s why the job is best suited to the career personality type of The Carer.
The Carer has a genuine concern for others, employs a humane approach to everything they do and thrives in a team environment.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are perfect for your personality type.
Frequently asked questions
What is a grade 1 social worker in Australia?
A grade 1 social worker has just completed their degree and is in an entry-level role.
What is the role of a social worker?
A social worker supports others in making changes to their lives that improve their general well being.
What does a social worker do in aged care?
Social workers in aged care work with the elderly and focus on preserving and improving their lives, psychological well being, and social abilities.
How much does a social worker earn in Australia?
A social worker earns an average salary of $95K per year in Australia.
What makes a good social worker?
Social workers who are able to empathise with their clients will be able to form strong, trusting relationships. A good social worker genuinely wants to understand their clients problems and help. They also have to have good organisational skills, listen actively and think critically.