Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent visa (Points-tested stream)
Submitted EOIsAt least 1,451
Most common submitted EOI points †75 points
Recent invited-status presence<20*
Visa applications lodgedAt least 187
Social Worker - ANZSCO 272511
Skilled occupation profile
Social Worker
ANZSCO 272511Social Worker assesses 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.
MLTSSLCSOLSkilled Employer Sponsored Regional Occupations
Recent SkillSelect information
Recent SkillSelect information for Social Worker
SkillSelect information published for May 2026 provides a historical snapshot of available EOI activity for Social Worker, ANZSCO 272511. Selected published indicators relevant to this occupation are shown below.
Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated visa
Submitted EOIsAt least 1,686
Most common submitted EOI points †75 points
Recent invited-status presence<20*
Visa applications lodgedAt least 139
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – State or Territory nominated
Submitted EOIsAt least 1,078
Most common submitted EOI points †85 points
Recent invited-status presence<20*
Visa applications lodgedAt least 48
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Family Sponsored
Submitted EOIs<20*
Recent invited-status presenceNo published EOIs with invited status appear
Visa applications lodged<20*
* <20: the official source published a small-number value below 20. The exact number is not shown by the official source.
† PointsView-calculated indicator: calculated from the published SkillSelect points distribution where sufficient data is available.
This information gives historical SkillSelect EOI information. It does not predict invitation chances, guarantee visa outcomes, or state a minimum invitation score.
Occupation guide
Occupation details and migration pathways
This guide brings together the key occupation tasks, possible visa pathways and skills assessment information for Social Worker ANZSCO 272511.
Typical tasks and duties
Social Worker may perform the following tasks:
- 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
- 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
Possible visa pathways
This occupation appears on MLTSSL and CSOL and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Occupations. The right visa pathway depends on factors such as your age, English level, qualifications, work experience, skills assessment, points score, nomination options and employer sponsorship.
Skilled Independent visa subclass 189A permanent skilled visa for invited applicants who may be able to apply without state, territory or employer sponsorship.Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190A permanent skilled visa for applicants nominated by an Australian state or territory government.Skilled Work Regional visa subclass 491A provisional regional skilled visa for applicants nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member.Skills in Demand visa subclass 482A temporary employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers where an Australian employer cannot find a suitably skilled Australian worker.Employer Nomination Scheme visa subclass 186A permanent employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa subclass 494A provisional regional employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
Skills assessment
For skilled migration purposes, Social Worker may require a suitable skills assessment. The correct assessment pathway depends on the visa stream and your personal circumstances.
Additional occupation-specific assessment information
The assessment authority for this occupation is the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and the AASW skills assessment will assess if your educational qualifications and work experience are at a professional level and closely related to your nominated occupation for migration purposes.
You are required to receive a positive assessment for your qualifications and work experience from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) if you are planning to migrate to Australia through skill migration program.
All applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English when they apply for skills assessment for migration as a social worker.
The following English language test is acceptable:
The following table indicates the minimum scores for each module:
Test results must be obtained within three years prior to submitting the assessment application to AASW .
You are exempt from providing evidence for your English language proficiency where:
- you have completed all your academic training at a Bachelor Degree level or higher at institutions in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada or the USA where programs are conducted in English AND
- you have completed all secondary education in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada or the USA where programs are conducted in English
Legacy subclass 187 pathway
Do you currently hold, or have you previously held, a subclass 457 or 482 visa?
If you have worked for a sponsoring employer in regional Australia, please note that Social Worker — ANZSCO 272511 was included in the legacy Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) occupation list. The subclass 187 Direct Entry stream is closed to new applications, but the Temporary Residence Transition stream may remain available to certain transitional subclass 457 and subclass 482 workers. Eligibility is limited and depends on your visa history, relevant dates, sponsored regional employment, employer nomination, age, English and other requirements. Being included on this occupation list does not establish eligibility.
If this may describe your circumstances, we can assess whether the subclass 187 transitional arrangements may still apply to you.
Check your options
Check your skilled migration options
If Social Worker is your nominated occupation, complete our skilled visa assessment form so we can review your possible migration pathways.
PointsView report available
Social Worker historical SkillSelect report
The current PointsView report includes historical SkillSelect data through June 2026 for ANZSCO 272511.
View report detailsPurchase full report
Historical information does not predict invitations, visa outcomes or migration eligibility.
Reviewed by Principal Migration Consultant
Reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi
This occupation page has been reviewed for migration context by Shada Migration Services. Mohammad has assisted clients with Australian migration matters since 2009 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law from the Australian National University.
Last reviewed: July 2026
