How do I have my overseas qualifications assessed?
How do I apply for a Visa?
How do I find work?
Introduction to Australia
Australia is a large, and diverse country with each State and Territory enjoying its own culture, landscape and climate. For more detailed information about Australia’s culture, climate and lifestyle visit www.australia.gov.au or the Government website of each State/Territory listed below.
Moving to a new country whether for a short period of time or permanently is a major decision . We recommend that you follow the three Ps – Plan, be Patient and Persevere!
To begin, ask yourself the following questions:
Why do I want to move to/work in Australia?
Do you want a short-term ‘adventure’ or are you thinking more long-term? Are you more interested in the kind of work you’ll be doing, rather than where you would be living? Where does this fit in your long-term career plans?
Where would I like to live/what do I want to experience?
Australia is a LARGE country. Do you want to live in a capital city, in a regional area, or somewhere rural or remote? Do you want to experience 4 seasons, or would you prefer a mild or hot climate all year round? If you’re coming for a short time (e.g. 2 years or less) do you want to be able to travel whilst you’re here? To get a sense of distance Brisbane to Sydney is a 10 hour drive or a 1 hour flight.
Know why you want to move to/work in Australia before you start your research. We find the more specific you can be the better.For example, don’t say “I’ll live anywhere, I’ll work anywhere”. Get specific, where in Australia would you prefer to live? What kind of work would you really like to be doing? Use the four-phase process outlined in Creating YOUR Social Work Career as this framework will provide you with a pro-active model to identify your career needs and build connections.
How do I have my overseas qualifications assessed?
To work as a Social Worker in Australia you will need to have your qualifications assessed by the Australian Association of Social Workers. For full details please visit www.aasw.asn.au
Please note although Horizon Career Centre is an AASW program, only the AASW International Qualifications Assessment Officer can provide you with information about this process (it can be quite complex, and we don’t want to give you incorrect info!). If after reading the detailed information outlined on www.aasw.asn.au you still have queries about the process, please contact the IQA Officeraaswiqa@aasw.asn.au
How do I apply for a Visa?
Information on Visas is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website www.immi.gov.au
How do I find work?
There are a variety of methods to research employment options for Social Workers. A great starting point is to focus on getting connected to the Social Work community. We recommend going through the four-phase process outlined in Creating YOUR Social Work Career as this framework will provide you with a pro-activemodel to identify your career needs and build connections.
To access a list of current vacancies, visit our Jobs page. Additionally, you can sign up to receive our free weekly Job Alert and monthly e-News, informing you of the latest positions available and offering you some support and encouragement in your job search! Vacancies will also be listed in major newspapers around Australia and on State/Territory and Federal Government department websites.in national office on +61 2 6273 0199 or e-mail
Introduction to Australia