ACWA Skills Assessment

Community workers are the skilled practitioners who work in community services to facilitate the welfare and well being of people and communities.

Occupations for ACWA Skills Assessment

ACWA provides skills assessment for Welfare Centre Manager, Welfare Worker, Community Worker, Disabilities Services Officer, Family Support Worker, Residential Care Officer and Youth Worker.

ACWA Skills Assessment Application Fee

Application fees for ACWA skills assessment is A$965.00

ACWA Skills Assessment Processing Time

The current processing time is approximately 16 weeks . Applications can take longer if, for example, there are complications verifying documents.

ACWA Skills Assessment for Welfare Centre Manager

Relevant Qualification

A relevant qualification comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree or higher and should be in community services, human services, welfare, social work, social services management, social policy or similar. It should equip an applicant with necessary knowledge in community services and welfare practice, social policy and organisational management. Qualifications with less focus on welfare and community services supported by significant amount of relevant work experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

Examples of qualifications which, supported by industry experience, have been found appropriate in the past include:

- Master and bachelor's degrees in community services, welfare, human services or social work
- Bachelor of Community Mental Health
- Master of Health Services Management
- Master’s degree in Community Development
- Master’s degree in Sociology
- Master of Public Health
- Master’s in Business Administration plus Diploma in Development Studies
- Master of Science (Knowledge Management) plus Diploma in Social Development and Administration

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Skilled Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of senior management with a focus on overseeing welfare services or projects. It is post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

Applicants need a minimum of 3 years of full time (or part time equivalent) industry experience which includes at least 1 year of experience in a welfare centre management role within the last 5 years. The minimum 1-year experience in a welfare centre manager must be within the last 2 years. Full time work will be considered where it is 30 hours or more per week.

Paid employment which involves the provision of senior management with a focus on overseeing welfare services or projects. It is post-qualification and must be at an appropriate skill level.

ACWA Skills Assessment for Welfare Worker

A welfare worker ‘Assists individuals, families and groups with social, emotional or financial difficulties to improve quality of life, by educating and supporting them and working towards change in their social environment.’ Common occupational titles in this category will be; Intake and Assessment Officer, Housing Officer, Counsellor (AOD, family, grief etc.) Case Manager/Case Worker, Multicultural Support Officer, Child Protection Practitioner, Community Corrections Worker, Parole Officer, Crisis Intervention Worker, Social Worker.

Relevant Qualification

Qualifications can be one of the following:

- An ACWA accredited qualification: ACWA accredited diploma or higher course.
- A recognised relevant qualification: A professionally accredited course recognised by ACWA as being equivalent to an ACWA accredited AQF level 7 degree or higher. A recognised relevant qualification meets all the following: is a bachelor degree or higher (equivalent to AQF level 7), and has a community and human services focus; and is professionally accredited by the source country’s professional body which has equivalent accreditation standards to ACWA. Professional accreditation is a process by which a course is validated by a professional body similar to ACWA.
- A relevant bachelor’s degree or higher qualification: A bachelor’s degree or higher qualification related to community services.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

- Sociology; social, political, economic structures and function
- Social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects
- General and specialised welfare services and systems
- Work with individuals, families, groups and communities
- Communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills

Additional subjects which could include child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence. In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Skilled Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to clients at an individual, group, family, or community level. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.
- ACWA accredited qualification or recognised relevant qualification: Applicants who have an ACWA accredited or recognised equivalent qualification are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their field placement requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
- Relevant bachelor’s degree: Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) industry experience within the last 4 years.
- Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways: holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old; or a minimum of least 3 months full time (or part-time equivalent) employment in a relevant current role at the required skill level; or at least 6 months relevant employment at the required skill level within the last 18 months.

ACWA Skills Assessment for Community Worker

A community worker ‘Facilitates community development initiatives and collective solutions within a community to address issues, needs and problems associated with recreational, health, housing, employment and other welfare matters.’ Common occupational titles in this category are Intake and Assessments Officer, Juvenile Justice Officer, Case Worker, Multicultural Support Worker, Parole Officer, Community Corrections Worker, Community Development Officer, Outreach Worker.

Relevant Qualification

Qualifications for skills assessment under this occupation can be one of the following:

- An ACWA accredited qualification: ACWA accredited diploma or higher course.
- A recognised relevant qualification: A professionally accredited course recognised by ACWA as being equivalent to an ACWA accredited AQF level 7 degree or higher. This recognised relevant qualification must meet all the following: is a bachelor degree or higher (equivalent to AQF level 7); and has a community and human services focus; and is professionally accredited by the source country’s professional body which has equivalent accreditation standards to ACWA. Professional accreditation is a process by which a course is validated by a professional body similar to ACWA.
- A relevant diploma or higher qualification: A diploma or higher qualification related to community services.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

- Sociology; social, political, economic structures and function
- Social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects
- General and specialised welfare services and systems
- Work with individuals, families, groups and communities
- Communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills
- Additional subjects which could include child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Skilled Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to clients at an individual, group, family, or community level. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

- ACWA accredited qualification or recognised relevant qualification: Applicants who have an ACWA accredited or recognised equivalent qualification are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their field placement requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
- Relevant bachelor’s degree: Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) industry experience within the last 4 years.
- Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways: holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old; or a minimum of least 3 months full time (or part-time equivalent) employment in a relevant current role at the required skill level; or at least 6 months relevant employment at the required skill level within the last 18 months.

ACWA Skills Assessment for Disabilities Services Officer

A disability services officer ‘works in a range of service units which provide education and community access to people with intellectual, physical, social and emotional disabilities’.
Common occupational titles in this category are Disability Services Officer, Disability Case Worker, Client Services Coordinator – Disability Services, Developmental Educator, Disability Liaison Officer, Disability Case Manager, Disability Advanced Case Manager, Assessment Officer, Disability Justice Officer, Care Manager.

Relevant Qualification

Qualifications can be one of the following:

- A relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in disability services.
- An ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in disability services so that the course must be both ACWA accredited and specialised in disability services. An example is the Bachelor of Social Science (Ageing and Disability) offered at University of South Australia.
- A relevant qualification (non-specialised) related to community services and comparable to AQF level 5 or higher.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

- Sociology; social, political, economic structures and function.
- Social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects.
- General and specialised welfare services and systems.
- Work with individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills.
- Additional subjects which could include child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Skilled Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to people living with a disability. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

- Relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in disability services: Applicants must have at least 12 months full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a disability services setting; and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).
- ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in disability services: Applicants who have completed an ACWA accredited diploma or higher are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their field placement requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
- Relevant qualification (non-specialised): Applicants must have 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a disability services setting and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).

ACWA Skills Assessment for Family Support Worker

A family support worker ‘assists the work of social workers and welfare workers by providing services and support to families.’ Common occupational titles in this category are Family Support Worker, Family Therapist, Family Wellbeing Officer, Child and Family Support Worker, Child and Family Officer, Crisis Response Worker (including family violence), Family Services Case Manager, Case Manager, Case Worker.

Relevant Qualifications

- A relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in family services or children and families.
- An ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in family services or children and families.
- A relevant qualification (non-specialised): A relevant qualification related to community services and comparable to AQF level 5 or higher.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

- Sociology; social, political, economic structures and function
- Social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects
- General and specialised welfare services and systems
- Work with individuals, families, groups and communities
- Communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills
- Additional subjects which could include child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Skilled Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to families and children in a family support service setting. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

- Relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in family services or children and families: Applicants must have at least 1 year of full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a family support service setting; and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).
- ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in family services or children and families: Applicants who have completed an ACWA accredited diploma or higher are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their practicum requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
- Relevant qualification (non-specialised): Applicants must have 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a family support setting and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).

Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways:

- Holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old.
- A minimum of least 3 months full time (or part-time equivalent) employment in a relevant current role at the required skill level.
- At least 6 months relevant employment at the required skill level within the last 18 months.

ACWA Skills Assessment for Residential Care Officer

A residential care officer is a professional who ‘provides care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care’. Common occupational titles in this category are Residential Care Officer, Residential Care Intake and Assessment Officer, Residential Care Case Worker, Client Services Coordinator-Residential Care, Care Manager.

Relevant Qualifications

- A relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation: Specialisation must be in residential care services, health and well being, disability services, or youth work.
- A ACWA accredited diploma or higher with specialisation: Specialisation must be in residential care services, health and well being, disability services or youth work.
- A relevant qualification (non-specialised): A relevant qualification related to community services and comparable to AQF level 5 or higher.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

- Sociology; social, political, economic structures and function
- Social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects
- General and specialised welfare services and systems
- Work with individuals, families, groups and communities
- Communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills
- Additional subjects which could include child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Skilled Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct practice to clients in a residential care setting. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

- Relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation: Applicants must have at least 1 year of full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a residential care services setting; and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).
- ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation: Applicants who have completed an ACWA accredited diploma or higher are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their practicum requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
- Relevant qualification (non-specialised): Applicants must have 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a residential care services setting and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).

Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways:

- Holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old.
- A minimum of least 3 months full time (or part-time equivalent) employment in a relevant current role at the required skill level.
- At least 6 months relevant employment at the required skill level within the last 18 months.

ACWA Skills Assessment for Youth Worker

Relevant Qualifications

- A relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in youth work.
- An ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in youth work.
- A relevant qualification (non-specialised): A relevant qualification related to community services and comparable to AQF level 5 or higher.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

- Sociology; social, political, economic structures and function
- Social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects
- General and specialised welfare services and systems
- Work with individuals, families, groups and communities
- Communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills
- Additional subjects which could include child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Skilled Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to young people. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

- Relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in youth work: Applicants must have at least 1 year of full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a youth services setting and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).
- ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in youth work: Applicants who have completed an ACWA accredited diploma or higher are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their practicum requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
- Relevant qualification (non-specialised): Applicants must have 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a youth services setting and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).

Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways:

- Holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old.
- A minimum of least 3 months full time (or part-time equivalent) employment in a relevant current role at the required skill level.
- At least 6 months relevant employment at the required skill level within the last 18 months.

ACWA Skills Assessment English Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

- English language test results. Results must be within 3 years of application and, for IELTS only, you can submit multiples tests as long as they are from within a period of 12 months. The acceptable tests and required scores are:

IELTS (general or academic) = 7 in each band
PTE Academic = 65 in each band
Advanced (CAE) = 185 in each band
TOEFL iBT PTE = Listening 24, Speaking 23, Reading 24, Writing 27.

- Study conducted in English from a country with English as its main language. Completed study either: at the level of bachelor’s degree, masters or Ph.D. or completed all secondary education and diploma; and that study must have been delivered and assessed in English in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.

- Two years of relevant industry experience in an English-speaking country. Completed at least 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment at the required skill level with English as the primary means of communication in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.

- A suitable skills assessment that expired within the last 6 months. Applicants who received a suitable skills assessment and are applying for the same occupation can submit a copy of their original outcome to establish English proficiency.

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