Social Worker – ANZSCO 272511

Social Worker (ANZSCO 272511) is a skill level 1 occupation assessed by AASW for Australian skilled migration. It is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists and can be used for subclass 189, subclass 190, subclass 491, subclass 491F, subclass 485, subclass 482, subclass 186, subclass 494, subclass 407. 7 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 272511
Skill level: 1 – Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: AASW
Occupation lists: MLTSSL, CSOL
English test for skills assessment: Check with the authority
ANZSCO unit group: 2725 Social Workers

Social Worker job description and duties

Assesses the social needs of individuals, families and groups, assists and empowers people to develop and use the skills and resources needed to resolve social and other problems, and furthers human wellbeing and human rights, social justice and social development. Registration or licensing may be required.

Specialisations: Whanau Support Worker (Family Support Worker) (NZ)

Tasks include

Acting as a facilitator between clients in need and community services
Assessing resources for health, welfare, recreation, housing, employment and other community services
Providing leadership and assistance for the implementation of pilot projects in community development and self-help, and planning and implementing research projects to address client needs, organisation goals and social policy
Cooperating with community organisations, social agencies and voluntary groups to improve services and develop new services
Conducting individual and family case interviews to identify the nature and extent of clients' problems
Assisting clients to understand and resolve problems by providing information, acting as a mediator and referring them to community and self-help agencies
Analysing, developing, promoting and implementing social policies through the use of practice experience, research, analytic frameworks, and negotiation skills to respond to social need through a fair, equitable and effective allocation of social resources
Monitoring the progress of clients by maintaining contact
Compiling case records and reports

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration or licensing may be required.

Visa options for Social Worker

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Social Worker

7 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

New South Wales: 190 Yes, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore NSW residents, offshore Yes. NSW Skills List — unit group 2725.
Victoria: 190 Yes, 491 Not yet open, onshore VIC residents, offshore Yes. All 190-eligible occupations (no state list).
Queensland: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore QLD residents, offshore No. Onshore list: 190 & 491.
South Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore SA residents, offshore Yes. SA Graduates: 190 & 491; Skilled Employment in SA: 190 & 491; Outer Regional Skilled Employment: 190 & 491; Offshore: 190 & 491.
Western Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore WA & interstate, offshore Yes. General – WASMOL Schedule 1: 190 & 491; General – WASMOL Schedule 2: 190 & 491; Graduate stream (WA study): 190 & 491; Priority WA industry sector.
Tasmania: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore TAS residents, offshore No. Living in Tasmania: Skilled Employment, Graduate or Established Resident pathways; Overseas 491 (OSOP) closed for 2026–27.
Australian Capital Territory: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore Canberra residents, offshore Yes. ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Northern Territory: 190 Closed, 491 By exception, onshore NT grads/residents only, offshore No. 491 onshore only, by exception for NT Graduate or Resident applicants with urgent visa or age deadlines.

Based on each state's official 2026–27 lists and program pages. Being listed does not guarantee an invitation.

Skills assessment for Social Worker

This authority assesses whether your qualifications (and, for some occupations, registration or work experience) meet the Australian standard for this occupation. Requirements are set by the authority and approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

The process

Confirm the authority: Check that this body assesses your occupation for your visa.
Check criteria: Read the qualification, registration, experience and English requirements.
Prepare documents: Qualifications, transcripts, ID and any registration or employment evidence.
Apply and pay: Lodge with the authority, usually online.
Outcome: Use your outcome letter for your EOI and visa.

What you need for this occupation

AASW sets the criteria for this occupation. Requirements usually cover qualification level and field, any registration or licence, and in some cases work experience and English.

Documents checklist

Passport
Qualification certificates and full transcripts
Registration or licence evidence (if applicable)
Employment references (if applicable)
English test results (if required)

English language requirement

For the AASW skills assessment

AASW sets its own English rule for this occupation. Many professional and registration bodies ask for IELTS Academic 7 or equivalent, so check before you book a test.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Social Worker?

The ANZSCO code for Social Worker is 272511. It is a skill level 1 occupation.

Who assesses Social Worker for Australian migration?

Social Worker is assessed by AASW. You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Social Worker apply for?

Social Worker is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists, so it can be used for: 189 Skilled Independent; 190 Skilled Nominated; 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored; 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work; 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream; 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate Social Worker?

7 of 8 states and territories currently list Social Worker: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the Social Worker skills assessment?

AASW sets its own English rule; check its website. The visa itself needs at least Competent English (for example IELTS 6 in each band).

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, AASW and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.