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 Ministry of Social Development has a role in enforcing compliance with the Act
Until 30 June 2025, MSD has a statutory role to obtain information for investigating and prosecuting people who are alleged to be offending under the Act. From 1 July, this responsibility will sit with the SWRB. This includes somebody presenting themselves as a social worker when they are not registered as one and presenting someone else as a social worker when that person is not registered as one.
Until 30 June 2025, if MSD becomes aware of any alleged non-compliance with the Act, it will contact the alleged offender to investigate events and take steps to resolve the situation, from 1 July onwards, the SWRB will carry out these investigations.
Any non-compliance with the Act can be reported to the Ministry or the SWRB
Reports can continue to be made to MSD until 30 June 2025. From 1 July 2025, all reports of potential breaches must be made to the SWRB, who will lead any investigations.
If anyone has concerns that somebody is presenting themselves as a social worker or is being presented by others as a social worker, and they are not registered as a social worker, it is important that the relevant authority is notified. Social workers who have not registered have not demonstrated to the SWRB that they are fit to practice, and therefore may pose a risk of harm to the public.
MSD will be following up on every notification received about persons not registered as social workers to ensure that legal requirements are upheld until this investigative function transfers to the SWRB on 1 July 2025
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:
Social worker representative organisations have been involved
The Ministry of Social Development has worked with the Social Work Alliance, a cross-sectoral group of organisations representing the interests of social workers, in the development of the legislative changes.
The Social Work Alliance is convened by the SWRB, and includes:
- Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers
- Tangata Whenua Social Workers Association
- Careerforce
- Council for Social Work Education Aotearoa New Zealand
- Social Service Providers Aotearoa
- New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services
- District Health Boards’ Health Social Work Leaders’ Councils
- Ministry for Children-Oranga Tamariki
- Social Workers Registration Board
- New Zealand Public Service Association.
Many of the legislative changes have come about due to advocacy from the social worker sector.
