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ANZSCO 272511
Social Worker
General information, not immigration advice. Data as at 2026-10-22.
About this occupation
ANZSCO 2022Assesses 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)
Unit group 2725
Social Workers
Social Workers assess the social needs of individuals, families and groups, assist and empower people to develop and use the skills and resources needed to resolve social and other problems, and further human wellbeing and human rights, social justice and social development.
Indicative skill level
In Australia and New Zealand
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.
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
Show all 9 tasks
- 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
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022. CC BY 4.0.
ANZSCO 2022 (the edition the CSOL uses for the 482 and 186 visas)
Title in this edition: Social Worker, skill level 1
- Major group
- 2 Professionals
- Sub-major group
- 27 Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals
- Minor group
- 272 Social and Welfare Professionals
- Unit group
- 2725 Social Workers
The title and groups are the same in ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 and ANZSCO 2022.
Occupation Shortage List (2026)
- National rating
- No Shortage
- Confidence
- On-balance
- Rated on
- ANZSCO 2022
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List - 6 digit ANZSCO and OSCA, released 21 October 2026. CC BY 4.0.
Possible visa options
Visas that Social Worker may be eligible for through its skilled list placement. Being on a list is one requirement; each visa has others (points, age, English, nomination or sponsorship).
| Visa | Stay | MLTSSL | STSOL | ROL | CSOL | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested | Permanent | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 1 |
| Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) | — | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 2 |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored | — | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 1 |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | Permanent | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 3 |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated | — | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 4 |
| Training visa (subclass 407) | Temporary (Up to 2 years) | On MLTSSL | Not on STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/050, s 6 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream | Temporary (5 years) | On MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/219, s 5(1) |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) - Core Skills stream | Temporary (Up to 4 years) | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/089, s 6(3) |
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) - Direct Entry Pathway | Permanent | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/093, s 7(1) |
✓ the occupation is on a list this visa uses · ✗ this visa uses the list but the occupation is not on it · — the visa does not use this list. Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, visa pages, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Average salary, May 2025
Unit group 2725 Social workers (ANZSCO 2022). all employees, Average weekly total cash earnings.
| Average weekly earnings | Average age | |
|---|---|---|
| All employees | $1,928.40 | 42.4 |
| Males | $2,200.10 | 44.3 |
| Females | $1,900.40 | 42.2 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025: data cube 63060DO011_202505 (Table 1), released 23 January 2026. CC BY 4.0.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO (CC BY 4.0). Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skilled occupation list (CC BY 4.0). Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, SkillSelect invitation rounds, CC BY 3.0 AU. Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Search another occupation