Australian Community Workers Association Inc. (ACWA) is the designated assessing authority to do Skills assessment for;
- Welfare Centre Manager ANZSCO 134214
- Welfare Worker ANZSCO 272613
- Community Worker ANZSCO 411711
- Disabilities Services Officer ANZSCO 411712
- Family Support Worker ANZSCO 411713
- Residential Care Officer ANZSCO 411715
- Youth Worker ANZSCO 411716
About Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement for Aged or Disabled Carer ANZSCO 423111
All applications are assessed against 3 criteria: qualification; English language; and industry experience and currency.
Community Worker ANZSCO 411711 - Skills assessment criteria
A community worker is a person who is qualified and experienced in working with individuals, families, and communities to address barriers which prevent them from accessing basic human needs such as housing, health services, employment, education, and recreation.
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
Intake and Assessments Officer, Juvenile Justice Officer, Case Worker, Multicultural Support Worker, Parole Officer, Community Corrections Worker, Community Development Officer, Outreach Worker
PLEASE NOTE: having your occupational title listed does not necessarily mean your work experience is relevant. Please refer to all relevant information.
Assessment criteria
All applications are assessed against 3 criteria: qualification; English language; and industry experience and currency.
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)
- has a community and human services focus
- 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 is one which adequately prepares graduates to perform community work in Australia. It 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.
Please note:
- 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.
- Some courses do not contain the breadth of core content required to prepare graduates for practice e.g., graduate certificates and graduate diplomas. These qualifications must follow a relevant undergraduate or additional related qualification, otherwise they will not be considered sufficient.
- ACWA will not accept qualifications which are unduly short. Unduly short qualifications do not provide students with sufficient time to gain the required skills and knowledge.
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
The 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.
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 diploma 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 diploma or higher:Applicants must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) industry experience within the last 4 years.
Currency
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
Glossary of terms
ACWA accredited course
An applicant is deemed to have graduated from an ACWA accredited course if the course and campus was accredited by ACWA for the entire duration of the applicant’s study. If the course gained ACWA accreditation during the applicant’s study period, applications will be assessed on a case by case basis under this category. ACWA accredited courses are listed here.
Industry experience
Employment which involves the provision of professional community and human services. It is paid work, post-qualification, and must be at the skill level appropriate to the qualification.
Full time work
Paid employment of 30 hours or more per week.
Skill level
The range and complexity of the tasks performed in the occupation require a qualification equivalent to AQF Level 5. Please note: some support worker roles take place in the same setting as this occupation but only require a certificate level qualification (AQF Level 3/4). Employment at this skill level will not be considered.
Document checklist
1. Identity (minimum three documents)
- Certified copy of biography page of passport
- Certified copies of at least two (2) other official identity documents including one official photo bearing ID such as:
- Birth certificate
- Australian visa or Immicard
- Driver license or ID card issued by country of citizenship
- If applicable, certified copy of evidence of name change
2. English proficiency (one of the following):
- English language test results
- Certified copy of qualification (or letter of completion)
- Letter from employer stating English was the primary means of communication for the work performed and that the employer was satisfied with the applicant’s English language proficiency
3. Qualifications
- Certified copy of qualification (or letter of completion) showing the start date and end date the applicant was deemed to have completed the course
- Certified copy of transcript of results
- For graduates of ACWA accredited courses and recognised relevant qualifications, a certified copy of letter from your education provider showing details of field placements (evidence of total hours in at least two different placements)
- For graduates of ACWA accredited courses and recognised relevant qualifications, fieldwork placement reports. These can be in the form of workbooks completed during the placements.
- For overseas applicants, is it recommended that you submit a detailed course outline/syllabus
4. Industry experience
- Resume including 2 referees with contact details, one of whom must have been your workplace supervisor
- Position descriptions for all relevant work experience
- Statement of service or letter from employer which states the details of the position including title, type, whether part-time or full time, and start and end dates. The letter must be on company letterhead and must include the full name, job title and contact details of the manager/HR officer who has signed the letter. You must provide this evidence for all work experience claims made.
- For applicants nominating Welfare Centre Manager, copy of organisational structure for all relevant management positions
5. Industry currency (one of the following)
- Evidence of qualification awarded within the last 4 years
- Position description for the industry experience
- Letter from current employer showing details of the position including title, type, whether part-time or full-time, and start and end dates
6. Agent authorisation
- If appointing a migration agent, a signed Agent-authorisation-form
7. Other supporting documents
- If applicable, evidence of professional registration/membership in your country of training or a country you have worked in. Evidence can include a certified copy of registration certificate or an online registration verification number
PLEASE NOTE: ACWA reserves the right to seek additional evidence to support or supplement claims. This may include copies of salary pay slips, bank account statements or a third-party verification