Social Worker Registration
Social workers are essential frontline professionals who are part of the key workforce supporting our communities and improving the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
On this page, you can find out about what the Government is doing to strengthen the social worker workforce and their contribution as part of health and social services.
Registration of social workers is mandatory from 27 February 2021
Changes to Social Workers Registration Act 2003 mean that all people practising as social workers will need to be registered with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) from 27 February 2021.
These changes will ensure greater public safety and enhance the professionalism of social workers.
The Board has carried out an extensive information campaign over the two-year transition period to ensure that social workers and social worker employers are aware that registration is mandatory from this date.
Registration formally recognises social work as a valued profession, and ensures that social workers are appropriately qualified, competent, and fit to carry out their work, and receive ongoing professional development.
Mandatory registration will better protect the public by:
- ensuring that social workers are appropriately qualified to carry out their work
- requiring continuing professional development and specific competencies
- having processes in place to address any concerns about a social worker's practice through a complaints and disciplinary process
- ensuring that social workers who have had their registration cancelled are not able to practise social work again.
In the mandatory environment, the SWRB is urging anyone who is not yet registered to apply and begin the process.
The SWRB website has more information on mandatory registration and about professional standards and responsibilities for social workers and the sector.
The Social Workers Registration Board is now responsible for ensuring compliance with the Social Workers Registration Act
From 1 July 2025, the SWRB is responsible for ensuring that anyone who should be registered as a social worker has obtained registration or has applied for it. Between 21 February 2021 and 30 June 2025, MSD held this responsibility.
The SWRB has the statutory role to obtain information for investigating and prosecuting people who are alleged to be offending under the Act. This includes instances where an individual is presenting themselves as a social worker without being registered, and where someone is presenting another person as a social worker when that person is not registered.
The SWRB will investigate any alleged non-compliance with the Act and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation. The SWRB holds the formal powers under the Act to gather information, investigate offences, and take action as needed.
Any non-compliance with the Act should now be reported directly to the SWRB
Anyone can get in touch with the SWRB if they have concerns about a person presenting as a social worker when they are not registered.
The SWRB is the appropriate authority to receive and act on these concerns. Social workers who are not registered have not demonstrated their fitness to practice, and may pose a risk to the public.
Reports of unregistered practice can no longer be made to MSD. If MSD receives any notifications from 1 July, these will need to be referred to the SWRB for investigation.
Social workers who are eligible to be registered will be supported to comply with legal requirements.
If anyone has concerns about a registered social worker, including but not limited to their competence, their actions, or whether or not they currently hold a practising certificate, then it is important that the SWRB is notified. You can contact them through their website.
You can find out more on the legislative changes progressed through the SWRL Act:
