Social Worker
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$100,300
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Assesses the biopsychosocial needs of individuals, families and groups, assists and empowers people to develop and use skills and resources needed to resolve social and other problems, and furthers human wellbeing and human rights, social justice and social development.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Conducts biopsychosocial and risk assessments to assist individuals and families to resolve their presented problems
- Provides case management services, and negotiates and mediates strategies related to clients' needs
- Works with clients to develop and deliver individualised casework practice, group counselling and support plans
- Promotes clients' agency and rights to access resources and community services
- Supports clients in legal and administrative proceedings, including assessment reports and providing information or evidence in court
- Provides supervision and peer support to other Social Workers to address ethical dilemmas, gaps in practice and areas of avoidance
- Analyses, develops, promotes and implements social policies to respond to social needs
- Collaborates with government, community organisations, social agencies, volunteer groups and other stakeholders to improve and develop services, and address structural inequalities
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Community Services
Progression pathway
Graduate Certificate in Statutory Child Protection
Transferable skills
Graduate Certificate in Client Assessment and Case Management
Transferable skills
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
267
ACT · May 2026
36
VIC · May 2026
305
NT · May 2026
35
SA · May 2026
100
NSW · May 2026
273
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+15%
7,277 projected jobs
to 2035
+25%
12,615 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Social Worker.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - North West
1,576 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - North West
1,576 employed
WA
+22.08%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
1,442 employed
VIC
-16.02%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - Inner
1,360 employed
VIC
-17.68%
year on year
- 4
Adelaide - South
1,342 employed
SA
-4.96%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - North East
1,288 employed
VIC
-15.15%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
46,015
Moved in from another occupation
5,700
Moved to another occupation
2,735
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 261331
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.