Social work is a dynamic and fulfilling profession that supports vulnerable people in various social settings.
Social workers are health professionals who hold an accredited qualification with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). They provide services and resources for people experiencing personal difficulties, behavioural problems, mental illness, domestic violence and health issues.
As a social worker, you can significantly impact people’s lives and have the freedom to work in different roles throughout your career. This article covers the different types of social workers and what you should consider before choosing an area of social work.
Is social work in demand in Australia?
There are currently 44,200 social workers employed in Australia, with strong job growth of 23.2 per cent expected over the next five years. Social workers have been described as ‘Australia’s safety net’, providing essential and sometimes life-saving services to vulnerable individuals, families and communities. Social workers play an active role in rural and regional communities and help countless Australians navigate significant challenges in their lives, such as family violence, homelessness and addiction.
A 2023 New South Wales workforce modelling report reflects the ongoing demand for qualified social workers as an indispensable facet of Australia’s healthcare system. According to this data, demand is predicted to grow by up to 2.2 per cent each year by 2040.
If you’re considering a career as a social worker, job opportunities in many fields of social work are set to remain strong and continue to flourish as future demand for these skilled professionals also increases.
9 types of social workers
Australia's social work landscape is diverse and rewarding, with professionals working in various areas of social work across different sectors. Social workers can pursue careers in clinical roles that help individuals, families and the wider community. The field of social work also includes non-clinical roles such as engagement officers and policy advisors.
Below are some of the most common types of social workers, what each role entails and their earning potential.
Social worker
What is a social worker?
A social worker is a highly-trained health professional who offers counselling, emotional support and resources to help people manage and overcome personal challenges. Social workers can work in various settings, such as in healthcare or private practice and may adopt a professional title that reflects the nature of their work or clientele.
Examples of such types of social workers include healthcare social workers and clinical social workers. These titles are not protected, however, they were created by the AASW to help the community and others distinguish social workers who have gained specialist skills and experience in their relevant field of social work.
What does a social worker do?
Generally, a social worker helps coordinate and develop an appropriate plan to help clients get their lives back on track. They may connect clients with financial resources and legal aid if required. They may also collaborate with other healthcare professionals to optimise client care. The specific ways social workers offer assistance may depend on their niche area, workplace and client needs.
For instance, hospital social workers may provide grief counselling and emotional support for families experiencing health challenges. Clinical social workers may work one-on-one with clients, either in person or over the phone to offer counselling, resources and extra support depending on the client’s personal situation.
How much do social workers earn?
Social workers can earn an average annual salary of $93,000.
School social worker
What is a school social worker?
A school social worker operates in school systems providing a valuable support service to students. They may help students with learning difficulties, issues concerning inclusion and bullying or family-related concerns that may impact their schooling. School social workers can help identify barriers to learning, advocate for safety and aim to improve the educational outcomes of students.
What does a school social worker do?
A school social worker helps students address behavioural challenges that may impact their learning. These social workers can offer students individual and family counselling, providing strategies to overcome issues affecting their school life. A school social worker may liaise with a child and family support worker to further support students’ needs. They may coordinate extra resources for students and collaborate with parents, teachers and staff to ensure their developmental, social and educational needs are continually met.
How much do school social workers earn?
A school social worker can earn an average annual salary of $93,000.
Child and family support worker
What is a child and family support worker?
Child and family support workers are skilled in assessing the holistic needs of families and children to best support their welfare. They play an essential role in defending children's rights, promoting their social development and ensuring the safety of families in their care. Many child and family support workers are employed by government agencies such as child protection or foster care organisations.
What does a child and family support worker do?
A child and family support worker works with families and children experiencing poverty, violence and hardship in their homes or foster care and focuses on helping families improve these circumstances. These support workers in human services, government agencies or other organisations provide financial resources, medical support, emergency accommodation, legal aid and counselling services to families in vulnerable or complex circumstances.
How much do child and family support workers earn?
A child and family support worker can earn an average annual salary of $80,000.
Youth worker
What is a youth worker?
A youth worker is a social worker who specialises in working with young people and adolescents. They provide active support for the wellbeing of young people as they navigate social, behavioural and developmental challenges at school, with peers or in family life. Youth workers may work in schools, community centres and healthcare or rehabilitation centres.
What does a youth worker do?
Youth workers are skilled in working with the complex and evolving needs of teenagers and children as they traverse a range of challenges during this time in their lives. They may work with young people who struggle with gender identity, sexuality, social isolation, substance abuse, addiction, pregnancy, family violence and homelessness.
Youth workers may focus one-on-one with clients or work in group settings to provide practical, emotional and psychological support for their overall wellbeing and safety. This may include resources for confidence and self-esteem building, alternative accommodation, health services, support for staying in school or employment services if applicable.
How much do youth workers earn?
A youth worker can earn an average annual salary of $75,000.
Community worker
What is a community worker?
A community worker is a type of welfare social worker who supports people in communities struggling with issues such as unemployment, social disadvantage, inequality or homelessness. These social workers advocate for positive social change and may work in community centres and local councils. They are actively involved with community members to encourage change where it’s needed.
What does a community worker do?
A community worker is directly involved with identifying gaps in the socio-economic needs of a community. Community workers help ensure appropriate access to healthcare, employment, housing and other essential services are available to the public. They may liaise with community groups, welfare agencies, public services and private businesses to advocate for and raise awareness of issues affecting the local community.
Public or private agencies, charities or not-for-profit organisations may employ community social workers. A key part of a community worker’s role is delivering outreach programs that address local community needs. This career path can open opportunities within non-clinical social work, such as education or public policy development.
How much do community workers earn?
A community worker can earn an average annual salary of $80,000.
Mental health social worker
What is a mental health social worker?
A mental health social worker is a qualified professional who specialises in supporting individuals dealing with mental health issues like anxiety, depression and substance abuse. They may hold additional mental health credentials to become an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW). They provide therapy and counselling and help clients access mental health resources and support networks. Mental health social workers may work in various settings, including youth centres, rehabilitation clinics, community organisations and private practice.
What does a mental health social worker do?
The role of a mental health social worker is critical in helping people experiencing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder. Substance abuse and addictions are complex and supporting clients in their recovery requires a unique skill set that mental health social workers possess. They also work to promote mental health awareness and reduce the negative connotations related to mental health challenges.
The majority of social workers are not registered as allied health professionals under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This means that their services are not recognised by Medicare and rebates do not apply. However, accredited mental health social workers holding AASW membership are eligible to provide mental health services under Medicare, and accordingly, patients can claim a rebate for these services. Mental health social workers can work in the public system and in private practice, servicing a broad demographic and providing tailored support to clients.
How much do mental health social workers earn?
A mental health social worker can earn an average annual salary of $73,000.
Case manager
What is a case manager?
Case managers are also known as case workers. They are social workers who oversee the ongoing care of complex clients, particularly those with chronic illnesses, mental health issues, addictions or other personal struggles.
What does a case manager do?
Case managers are responsible for coordinating client care and ensuring they can access necessary services and support, such as employment assistance, accommodation and financial aid. A case manager will interview and evaluate clients' needs, develop their treatment programs and connect them to appropriate services.
They advocate for clients and act as an intermediary if conflicts arise between clients and service providers. Case managers are also responsible for monitoring client progress and referring to other health professionals where needed to ensure the client’s needs are met.
How much do case managers earn?
A case manager can earn an average annual salary of $85,000, with job growth in this social work area expected to increase by 25.2 per cent by 2029.
Engagement officer
What is an engagement officer?
An engagement officer builds relationships between an organisation and its community or stakeholders. Engagement officers can be found in various settings, including government agencies, mental health facilities, not-for-profit agencies and crisis support centres.
What does an engagement officer do?
An engagement officer’s primary job is to align their organisation’s offerings with public needs and develop community awareness of what the organisation provides. This may involve arranging community events for promotion to the groups who could benefit. Engagement officers may also create engagement initiatives and partner with like-minded businesses to enhance the organisation’s community and social impact.
How much do engagement officers earn?
Engagement officers can earn an average annual salary of $85,000.
Policy advisor
What is a policy advisor?
Policy advisors are involved in writing, researching and analysing existing policies that impact social groups. They make recommendations for changes according to the needs of individuals, families and the community.
What does a policy advisor do?
The role of a policy advisor includes providing strategic advice on regulatory issues in public sectors of government and services and also private sectors like healthcare. Policy advisors can oversee and support the implementation of their recommendations and seek feedback from stakeholders in the community.
For example, a policy advisor may assess the needs of individuals or groups in situations of extreme weather events or natural disasters. They may develop and implement policies for resources and services that support the health and wellbeing of those affected by such events.
How much do policy advisors earn?
Policy advisors can earn an average annual salary of $105,000.
What to consider when choosing an area of social work
Choosing a specialisation in social work is an important decision that should align with your interests, skills and career goals. Here are some factors to consider:
Personal interests
Take the time to think about what lights you up about social work. Do you enjoy working with kids? Are you interested in supporting people with mental health conditions? What about older adults or those with a disability?
Before deciding what area of social work you may want to pursue, it helps to reflect on your personal interests and how they may fit within this healthcare field. Your passions can help drive the future success of your career while making a difference in people’s lives.
Skills and strengths
Knowing your strengths and current skills can help narrow your focus into a particular field of social work. If you’re an excellent communicator with great interpersonal skills and empathy, you already possess some essential skills that social workers need to succeed.
If you have critical analysis and research skills, you may be more suited to a welfare advocacy or policy development role in social work. Your inherent strengths may align with encouraging social change on a local or systemic level.
You may also find that as you move through your career you can develop new skills and strengths according to your role. It's also possible to move into different areas and discover other fields of social work to continue to enhance your expertise in this profession.
Education requirements
Consider the time it takes to complete your education to become a qualified social worker.
In Australia, social workers must hold a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s or a two-year master’s degree in social work accredited by the AASW. Overseas equivalent qualifications may be accepted if approved by the AASW, which may fast-track your entry into the social work field.
The eligibility criteria for a Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is typically prior relevant education in social and behavioural sciences.
While you can enter the field of social work with a bachelor’s degree, obtaining a master’s degree in social work can equip you with advanced skills and open up career opportunities in senior roles or education.
Career opportunities
Spend some time researching the demand for different types of social workers in Australia. Depending on your location, ideal workplace setting and career aspirations, various work opportunities in different fields may be available. Explore social work job vacancies in both rural and metropolitan areas to see what roles or areas of social work pique your interest the most.
Once you consider your interests, skills, education requirements and career potential, you’re better equipped to make an informed choice about which areas of social work may be suitable for you to pursue.
Do I need to know what area of social work I want to be in before studying a social work course?
If you’re wondering whether you need to choose a specific area of social work before commencing study, the answer is no. If you undertake a Bachelor of Social Work or a Master of Social Work (Qualifying), you’ll complete 1,000 hours of field placement.
The placement component of social work courses gives you the opportunity to work with different clients and in varying settings to determine what field of social work may best align with your career goals.
You can also work in different areas of social work throughout your entire career. This means you can explore both clinical and non-clinical roles and enjoy an evolving and dynamic career as a social worker.
Support people in need by launching your career in social work
Understanding the different types of social workers and the areas in which to specialise means you can make an informed decision about your career path. If you want to play a significant role in the lives of individuals, families and the greater community, you may be ready for a rewarding career as a social worker.
For a head start in this profession, enquire with a Student Enrolment Advisor about the University of Canberra’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course today. This online, flexible course gives you the requisite skills to embark on a meaningful and fulfilling career as a social worker.
Are you curious about postgraduate study? Explore courses from GlobalHealth Education's university partners across social work, public health, counselling, nursing, psychology, leadership and mental health.
