Social work: a purposeful and high-demand career with strong growth ahead

• Overview of social work
• Job growth projections over the next five years: 23.2 per cent
• 47,400 employed social workers in Australia
• Average annual salary: $100,000
• Annual employment growth: 1,700

What is social work?

Social workers support individuals, families and communities by helping them navigate and overcome difficulties. Some of these include financial disadvantage, employment or housing needs, where social workers will assess their situation, connect them with essential services and offer counselling and guidance. Social workers can also work closely with community organisations and government services to improve support systems, advocate for social justice and ensure people have access to the resources they need to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

What are the current and future key trends influencing the growth of social work?

Jobs and Skills Australia data projects a major shift toward services-related industries over the next five to 10 years, with the health care and social assistance sector experiencing the strongest growth.

In 2025, around one in every six people worked in this sector, making it a significant part of the national workforce. As social work falls within this employment category, it offers strong current and future career opportunities in a field that plays an essential role in improving people’s welfare.

The social work sector currently employs around 47,400 professionals and is expected to grow by approximately 23.2 per cent over the next five years. This industry needs qualified and passionate professionals to help meet the needs of vulnerable communities throughout the country, especially as workforce shortages are most pronounced in South Australia, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and regional Victoria.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s 2025 report highlights several key factors contributing to the high demand for social workers. Challenges with housing affordability have intensified, with more people seeking social housing, placing an increased risk of homelessness among these populations. Financial stress is also prevalent, with around one in five people aged 15 and over experiencing financial difficulty – the highest rate in over a decade. 

Meanwhile, rising mental health challenges are also increasing the need for skilled mental health professionals, including counsellors, psychologists, as well as social workers to provide appropriate care and therapeutic support.

Social workers are also essential in providing trauma-informed and culturally-aware care to marginalised individuals and members of the community. This may include people experiencing family violence requiring welfare support and child protection services, those struggling with addictions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who need support with necessary services.

Australia’s ageing demographic and the expansion of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) also mean more older adults and individuals with disabilities can seek and receive support from social workers, to help them build capacity, maintain independence and assist with daily living tasks for improved quality of life.

Diverse opportunities and career pathways for social workers

If you’re considering a switch into social work, the future is positive with strong workforce demand and a unique opportunity to pursue a career that helps some of the most at-risk people and populations.

You can shape your social work career to align with your strengths and interests by working in a variety of social work roles. Whether it’s working in schools, correctional facilities, women’s health or social policy development, you’ll find an area that suits you.

You can also gain additional credentials to become an accredited social worker, where you’ll apply your advanced knowledge and expertise to help support a niche client group, such as those with disabilities, older adults or people with diagnosed mental health conditions. This can open doors to work in private practice or alongside multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive client support.

Social workers can find work in a variety of settings, including non-profit organisations, refugee support, government agencies, rehabilitation centres, legal systems, public and private hospitals, family welfare agencies and aged care as examples.

Discover what a social worker’s role entails with this day in the life article here.

How you can be part of this expanding field

To become a social worker in Australia, you need to complete a social work degree accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). This can be either a Bachelor of Social Work or a postgraduate qualification in social work, such as a Master of Social Work as a pathway into this field. 

Completing a master’s degree in social work is ideal if you already hold an undergraduate degree and want to leverage your skills, education and experience and qualify as a social worker sooner. For example, the University of Canberra's Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is suitable if you have a prior bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as allied health, behavioural science, human resource management or education.

Alternatively, the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at Charles Darwin University provides a pathway into social work if you have a bachelor’s degree in any field plus the equivalent of one year of full-time study in behavioral or social science units at a tertiary level. La Trobe University also offers a Master of Social Work, which suits those with a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and weighted average mark of 60 per cent.

These courses typically take two years to complete full-time and include a blend of theoretical learning and practical field placements where you can integrate and apply your knowledge in real-world social work settings. Once you’re qualified, you can join the AASW to enhance your professional credibility, build your network and continue your professional development as you grow your career.

Step into a future-proof career in social work

A social work qualification can help broaden your career prospects, giving you the chance to improve the lives of vulnerable people and communities at an individual, local and society level. If you're ready to discover what this rewarding field has to offer, explore the range of Master of Social Work programs and choose a course that suits you.

 GlobalHealth Education also lists an extensive range of healthcare courses from various reputable Australian universities, including our university partners. There are flexible graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master’s degrees that deliver job-ready skills to help you advance your healthcare career.