The Social Workers Registration Scheme has been established to regulate and ensure high standards across the social work profession within South Australia.  The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB, the Board) are responsible for developing the Scope of Practice which will help define the requirements of registration. The scheme is the first of its kind in Australia.

The scheme is expected to be operational by 1 July 2025, and all relevant staff will need to register by 31 December 2025. The Board is still working through the requirements of registration and who will be required to obtain registration.

This information is intended for SA Health staff to support understanding of the scheme, information share, and provide responses to frequently asked questions.

About the scheme

The scheme will have three key functions:

• Registration – determining registration requirements and ensuring only practitioners who have the skills and qualifications to provide safe care to the South Australian community are registered to practice as a social worker.
• Accreditation – developing accreditation standards in collaboration with education providers, so that social workers benefit from a comprehensive and improved range of career development supports.
• Investigation – investigating registered social workers who are considered to pose a significant risk to the public, either via a referral or the Board’s ‘own motion’.

What does this mean for SA Health and in-scope employees?

ASHO continues to bring together a range of stakeholders to identify and communicate with in-scope staff and to work towards a smooth transition, ensuring critical services can continue to be delivered to South Australian consumers. Each Local Health Network will work with in-scope employees to understand what this change will mean for them.

At this stage, there is no action required of employees, and further information will be provided to those identified as in-scope. If you have questions about if you’re in scope, please speak with your line manager.

Registration details and dates are to be confirmed by the Board, thus at this stage, ASHO can share what has been provided by the Board and will continue to do so as further information becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To support information sharing the following FAQs have been prepared based on questions received from across SA Health. These will be added to as further questions are asked and greater information is made available.

We recommend reading these FAQs alongside the Social Workers Registration Act 2021 and information contained on the Social Workers Registration Board (South Australia) website.

What is the purpose of registration?

• The South Australian government established the scheme to regulate the social work profession and ensure high standards across social work within South Australia.
• Social workers work with vulnerable people in the community who are entitled to high standards of practice and ethical conduct.
• The South Australian Social Worker Registration Scheme aims to enhance public safety, increase accountability, and raise standards of professional practice.

Who will need to register and by when?

• All people who have a qualification in social work who work within the definition of social work services* will need to register if they want to practice as a Social Worker in South Australia.
• All people who fit the criteria above will be required to register within six (6) months of the Scheme’s operation date, i.e. it is expected that all relevant staff complete registration by 31 December 2025.
• Graduates with a new social work qualification intending to practice within the definition of social work services in South Australia, will need to register once the scheme is operational.
• People who have another qualification and/or extensive experience in social work services may be required to provisionally register by 31 December 2025, while they are assessed and the relevant pathways to enable registration are communicated to them.  This provides time to consider and attend to the requirements of the relevant pathway.  More details about pathways will be made available.  People in this category will have over 12 months to decide if they would like to take up this option. 

Are there any exclusions for Social Worker registration?

• The Board is currently finalising exclusion criteria for professional and paraprofessionals.  When this information becomes available, this will be communicated.

I’m not a Social Worker (AHP), but I have a case load, do I need to register?

• The Board is currently finalising regulations and policies to inform eligibility criteria for registration.  We have been advised that this information should be available in early 2025.
• Generally, if you hold a social work qualification and are delivering social work services, you will need to register from 1 July 2025, and at latest 31 December 2025.

What do continuous professional development (CPD) requirements look like?

• Registered Social Workers will be required to undertake several hours of professional development annually as part of the CPD requirements.
• The Board is determining the details of CPD requirements.

What does the Practice Experience Pathway (PEP) mean for me?

• The Board is finalising the regulations and policies associated with PEP.
• If a person delivers social work services* and has no Social Work qualification, but a great deal of experience, they will have the option to apply for PEP.
• The Board will provisionally register them while they continue to work in their role.
• They will be assessed as to whether they meet standards for registration, and if they are successful, they will be entitled to full registration.

How much will registration cost and will my Local Health Network (LHN) contribute to the cost?

• The cost of registration is yet to be approved by the Board and Treasury.
• LHNs do not cover or contribute to the cost of registration for other registered professions, and as such will not contribute to the cost of registration.

* Definition to be published by The Board soon

How can I find out more information and obtain support?

Further information about social work registration, including a list of FAQs, is available on the Social Workers Registration Board website, and the Australian Association of Social Workers website.

Your line manager is available to discuss your personal circumstances and best answer any questions you may have about the scheme. Please note, we can share as much information as has been confirmed by the Board, and some questions may be taken on notice and addressed once further information is available.

All questions that cannot be addressed locally, will be referred to ASHO, for referral to the Board on behalf of SA Health.

ASHO will continue to provide regular updates regarding social work registration via the ASHO website.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available to all SA Health employees and their immediate families to assist employees to address work related or personal issues that may affect their personal wellbeing, work performance, health, or their safety.