In This Article
- What is a mental health social worker?
- Steps to becoming a mental health social worker
- What does a mental health social worker do?
- Where do mental health social workers work?
- Mental health social worker salary
- Differences between social workers and mental health social workers
- Mental health social worker skills for success
- Begin a rewarding career as a mental health social worker
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Social workers play an important role in Australia’s health and social care sector, supporting the welfare of individuals and communities alike. With one in five Australians experiencing a mental health disorder during their lifetime, the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 highlights the imminent demand for more qualified mental health professionals.
Mental health social workers are a unique type of social worker, playing a vital role in helping individuals with mental health conditions to achieve better outcomes and gain important resources they need to thrive.
In this article, you’ll learn how to become a mental health social worker, including the study pathways available, what the role entails, how it differs from other mental health professionals and the essential skills needed to succeed in this field.
What is a mental health social worker?
A mental health social worker is a social worker with advanced expertise in mental health and accreditation from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). This additional credential gives them an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) professional title.
Mental health social workers support people with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, addictions and depression. They provide an important service to people, helping with their recovery, welfare and long-term mental wellbeing.
Steps to becoming a mental health social worker
To become a mental health social worker, first, you should consider whether this path aligns with your career goals and interests. Next, you need to complete an accredited social work degree and join the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Following this, you can optionally complete postgraduate study in mental health to expand your knowledge of mental health conditions. Then, you need to gain a minimum of two years’ supervised experience in a mental health setting or field within the last five years and apply to the AASW to become an accredited mental health social worker (AMHSW). Lastly, you can explore private practice or organisational roles that interest you in this field.
1. Consider if this is the right career path for you
If you’re thinking about a career in this field, it helps to consider the time it takes to complete your social work degree, plus the additional training and accreditation needed to become a mental health social worker. Altogether, it may take between two and six years to become fully qualified as an accredited mental health social worker depending on your previous experience.
You should also consider your inherent strengths, interests and career goals. A role as a mental health professional can be rewarding and challenging at the same time. You’ll play a pivotal role in helping people achieve better mental health and improved quality of life through personalised support and counselling.
You may also work with people who have serious mental health conditions, such as addiction, depression or personality disorders. Provided you prioritise self-care, build your network and set healthy professional boundaries, you can enjoy a thriving career in this field.
2. Complete an accredited social work degree
Becoming a mental health social worker involves completing an AASW-accredited social work degree to initially become a social worker. The typical study pathways for this include a Bachelor of Social Work, which usually takes four years to complete full-time. Alternatively, if you have an undergraduate degree in a related field, you can complete a postgraduate social work degree as a fast-track option to qualify as a social worker.
For example, if you have already completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least one year of study in social and behavioural sciences, you may be eligible for an online Master of Social Work (Graduate Entry) through Flinders University, which is a postgraduate social work degree that’s also offered face-to-face. These courses are AASW-accredited, include hands-on experience through field placements and take two years to complete full-time.
If you have completed a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology, allied health, counselling, education or Indigenous studies, you may be eligible for the University of Canberra’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying) program. This AASW-accredited postgraduate degree includes core coursework units, intensive units and two field placements where you’ll learn from industry experts to consolidate your learning in real-world social work settings.
These courses equip you with the foundational skills and knowledge to excel as a social worker and to pursue further credentialing in mental health.
3. Join the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Becoming a member of the AASW enhances your professional credibility and supports the credentialing process to become a mental health social worker. It also provides professional development support and networking opportunities to expand your career prospects and future path in this field.
You can also pursue mentorship opportunities and explore resources for boosting your professional practice. This may be particularly beneficial if, as a mental health social worker, you want to establish a private practice and offer your services to clients in a clinical setting.
4. Optionally complete a postgraduate mental health degree
While not an essential step, completing a postgraduate degree in mental health can support the trajectory toward becoming a mental health social worker. You’ll be able to expand your skills and knowledge, learn from experts in the mental health sector and gain a deeper understanding of more complex or severe mental health presentations.
For example, Victoria University offers a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, which is available to professionals with a health-related bachelor’s degree. It comprises four core units, including Recovery-Oriented Mental Health, Biopsychosocial and Cultural Perspectives in Mental Health, Effective Trauma-Informed Care and Mental Health Foundations.
This graduate certificate is an ideal option to further your career with in-demand mental health skills ahead of your role as a mental health social worker. It also serves as a pathway into advanced study, with Victoria University's Master of Mental Health, which provides comprehensive skills in mental health assessment, interventions and research.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
Clinical and therapeutic skills in addiction rehabilitation, perinatal mental health and trauma-informed care can also equip you with expertise in a niche field to support your work in mental health social work.
You may consider pursuing postgraduate study in youth mental health if you’re interested in a career working with younger clients. For example, Victoria University’s Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health delivers a foundational approach to supporting the mental health of children and adolescents. You’ll learn from mental health experts on how to work with younger clients, their families and community to achieve optimal mental health outcomes.
This course provides a pathway into the Master of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, which offers more in-depth knowledge and evidence-based mental health interventions, including supporting younger clients from vulnerable and diverse backgrounds.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
5. Gain hands-on experience in mental health settings
Getting experience in mental health environments is an important next step to becoming a mental health social worker. The AASW provides guidelines for professionals seeking accreditation, which include gaining a minimum of two years of supervised post-qualifying social work experience in a mental health setting in the last five years.
Further criteria you must meet include completing case study activities, continuing professional development requirements and validation of your mental health work experience from a supervisor or employer. Once you have accumulated the experience necessary for accreditation, you can apply for a mental health social worker credential through the AASW.
Provided you meet the AASW’s criteria to demonstrate your competency, you’ll become an accredited mental health social worker (AMHSW) and obtain a Medicare provider number, giving you a broader scope of practice, increased client reach and expanded career opportunities.
6. Explore mental health social worker jobs
Now that you’ve gained the AMHSW credential, you can search for job opportunities that interest you. You might reach out to your previous supervisors to see if there are job openings in any of the workplaces where you gained your mental health experience. You can also explore job boards such as SEEK, LinkedIn, Indeed or government websites for roles relevant to mental health social work.
As an AMHSW, you might consider starting your own private practice, either as a sole practitioner or in a part-time capacity alongside other social work roles. You have the unique opportunity to build something of your own in a specialised area of practice. You may wish to specialise in perinatal mental health, substance abuse and recovery or provide general mental health and counselling support to clients with your advanced credential.
Consider joining professional mental health organisations such as the Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) to stay up-to-date with industry trends and connect with like-minded practitioners in your area. These networks can provide future job and learning opportunities. Similarly, the AASW has nine branches around Australia. These branches offer you the chance to connect with other social workers either online or in person to share resources, professional interests or practice tips.
What does a mental health social worker do?
A mental health social worker provides counselling and support to people with mental illnesses, such as substance abuse, alcohol addiction, depression, anxiety and psychiatric disorders.
Recognised for their clinical expertise and advanced skills in mental health, AMHSWs are eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). As mentioned, this means that practitioners can offer services that attract Medicare rebates, provided their client has a referral from their general practitioner.
These professionals apply a sociological approach to care, focusing on the broader social factors that may affect a person’s mental health and wellbeing. Their role may encompass a combination of client support, case management and social justice or advocacy work.
Some responsibilities of mental health social workers may include:
- Assessing the client’s mental health and social wellbeing to determine an appropriate treatment plan
- Delivering counselling and psychotherapy to individuals or groups with mental health conditions Offering Medicare-rebatable services as a mental health professional with specialised expertise
- Coordinating client care and facilitating access to resources for accommodation, employment, legal and financial aid
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, allied health professionals and community services
To learn more about the diverse and dynamic role of social workers, read about a day in the life of a social worker, which explores Anne’s experience in mental health social work, supporting women’s health and wellbeing.
Where do mental health social workers work?
Mental health social workers can work in various settings and in a range of niche areas. Some common environments include hospitals, schools, non-government organisations, correctional institutions, rehabilitation centres and community health services.
Many professionals may choose to work in private practice, either solely or as an adjunct to other social work roles. This provides improved accessibility to mental health services for clients.
Australian mental health workforce data from 2024 indicated that 85 per cent of accredited mental health social workers reported they work in private practice and about 73 per cent reported working in a sole trader capacity.
The option to work in private practice offers career diversity, allowing for greater flexibility, autonomy and the opportunity to specialise in a niche area of interest. For instance, possible health areas could include men’s mental health, women’s mental health or adolescent mental health.
Mental health social worker salary
The salaries for social workers in Australia can vary depending on location, experience level and the sector in which they work.
The average annual salary for a mental health social worker in Australia is $107,000. Salaries may start from $86,000 per year for entry-level positions. More experienced mental health social workers can earn up to $121,000 annually.
Differences between social workers and mental health social workers
Below is a comparison table that highlights some key differences between social workers and mental health social workers in Australia.
| Social worker | Accredited mental health social worker | |
|---|---|---|
| What are their qualifications? | Social workers typically hold a Bachelor of Social Work (4 years) or a Master of Social Work (for those with prior relevant degree). Social workers must complete approximately 1000 hours of practical placement to gain experience in real-world social work settings. They may also optionally join the AASW. | AMHSWs hold a degree in social work plus an AASW accreditation in mental health. As mentioned above, to obtain this credential, AMHSWs need at least two years of supervised post-social work qualification experience in a mental health setting. Additional AASW requirements must be upheld with this credential, including CPD. |
| What types of clients do they see? | Individuals, families and communities facing social, economic, relational or systemic issues can be supported by social workers in various roles. For example, youth workers support young people navigating behavioural and social challenges at school, with peers or in the home. | These professionals consult with individuals struggling with mild to complex mental health conditions. This may include people with a history of trauma, anxiety, personality disorders, substance use, family violence and associated social challenges. Their accreditation also gives clients access to Medicare-rebatable services. |
| What’s their approach to care? |
Depending on their role and workplace setting, social workers can support a broad range of clients with various social issues. This may include assessing their clients’ needs and connecting them with services and resources, such as housing or financial aid. It may also include advocacy work, case management to provide coordinated care and generalised counselling and mental health support. Social workers adopt a holistic, sociological approach that is recovery-oriented and takes into account a person’s environment and life context to address any barriers to their welfare. |
Mental health social workers adopt the same sociological lens when supporting clients, while providing a level of clinical mental health support targeted to their needs. AMHSWs conduct mental health assessments and can diagnose mental health conditions using psychosocial assessment techniques. They can support clients with counselling and evidence-based psychological interventions, commonly in private practice. The care that AMHSWs provide can be in one-on-one or in group sessions. They bring a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approach to care, focusing on mental health recovery and management. |
Mental health social worker skills for success
Aligned with some of the core skills social workers need, there are a range of valuable skills that mental health social workers should build to be successful in their role. These include being:
Resilient
Mental health social workers support people who are navigating emotionally demanding situations and life circumstances. Their clients may be recovering from substance use, addictions, severe mental illness or trauma. This means cultivating resilience is essential to help mitigate the risk of work-related stress, burnout and to stay grounded while supporting clients.
Compassionate
Being compassionate is an important soft skill to develop in this role. As part of your work, you’ll need to build trust, provide care and show empathy to your clients. This helps reassure them that with the right resources, knowledge and support, they can recover and improve their lives. Moreover, the therapeutic relationship you build with your clients can improve their healing trajectory.
A great communicator
Effective communication helps you understand your client’s needs and helps them understand what types of support you can offer. Communicating well with healthcare teams, families or other professionals relevant to your role also ensures seamless and efficient client care. Practise active listening and remember you can adapt your communication style to suit the needs of your patient and the situation.
A client advocate
A core part of social work is advocating for vulnerable people and their basic welfare needs. Your job with a mental health credential enables you to ensure your clients receive the right services, equitable support and restored dignity while also providing tailored mental health interventions. You’ll play a key role in helping your clients get back on their feet and enjoy a better quality of life.
Culturally sensitive
In some cases, you may be working with culturally-marginalised groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Building your cultural competency allows you to engage respectfully with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. To provide more inclusive care, you should develop awareness of the interplay between systemic inequality, cultural identity, your client’s individual experience and their mental health outcomes.
Trauma-aware
A core tenet of social work involves being trauma-informed. This means you recognise the impact that trauma has on a person’s mental health, behaviour and life. In order to provide appropriate care to clients, you’ll endeavour to foster emotional safety, trust and an empowering environment for your clients. This helps promote recovery for those who have been abused, neglected, socially disadvantaged or had other traumatic experiences.
Collaborative
You may work collaboratively with other healthcare providers, professionals, community partners and organisations as needed. For example, you can refer clients to professionals like occupational therapists or work closely with their GP to provide holistic care. Being collaborative means you can provide a client-centred service that takes care of their social, practical, emotional and mental health needs.
Begin a rewarding career as a mental health social worker
Mental health social workers have advanced skills and knowledge to support a wider range of clients, including those struggling with mental health challenges. If you’re interested in a career that helps people enjoy a better quality of life through mental health support, this field could be a fulfilling path to consider.
Take the first step by exploring Master of Social Work courses, select a course and enquire with our Education Consultant, who can help you with your enquiry. Many Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degrees, such as the University of Canberra’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying) are AASW-accredited. If you’re entering social work from another field, these courses provide a pathway for you to pursue further study and training in mental health to become an accredited mental health social worker.
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If you’d like to enrol in a social work course or learn about postgraduate healthcare degrees, book a free professional development strategy call with our Education Consultant, Catriona, who is ready to help you make your next career move.
