ANZSCO 272511 · CSOL · MLTSSL
Social Worker: ANZSCO 272511
Official Home Affairs skilled occupation list · checked 21 October 2026
Social Worker (ANZSCO 272511) is on the CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List) and MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List). It can be used for the 189, 190, 491, 485, 494, 482, 186 and 407 visas, and the skills assessment is done by AASW. Checked against the Home Affairs list on 21 October 2026.
Occupation lists
CSOL, MLTSSL
Core Skills Occupation List; Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
Permanent visa options
189, 190, 186
Visas that give permanent residence
Assessing authority
AASW
Australian Association of Social Workers Limited
Skill level
Level 1
Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience
The job
What a social worker does
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.
Specialisations
- Whanau Support Worker (Family Support Worker) (NZ)
Unit group 2725
Tasks of Social Workers
- 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
Qualifications and experience
Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
Registration or licensing may be required.
Assessing authorities check your duties against these tasks, so your experience must match them, not only the job title.
Visa options
Which visas ANZSCO 272511 can be used for
From the Department of Home Affairs combined list of eligible skilled occupations. Every visa also has its own points, age, English, experience and skills assessment rules.
| Visa | Eligible | ANZSCO version | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | |
| 190 Skilled Nominated (state) | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Needs a state or territory nomination |
| 407 Training visa | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Post-Vocational Education Work stream |
| 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | |
| 491 State Skilled Work Regional, state nominated | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Needs a state or territory nomination |
| 491 Family Skilled Work Regional, family sponsored | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Needs an eligible relative in a regional area |
| 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills stream | Yes | ANZSCO 2022 | |
| 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry | Yes | ANZSCO 2022 |
Skills assessment
Skills assessment for ANZSCO 272511
Most skilled visas need a positive skills assessment from the authority below before you can lodge. It must be for the same occupation you nominate.
Australian Association of Social Workers Limited (AASW)
We prepare your AASW assessment with you and check that your duties match ANZSCO 272511 before you apply.
States and territories
State and territory nomination
Social Worker is on a list that allows state nomination for the 190 (permanent) and for the 491 (regional, provisional). Each state then decides which occupations it will nominate, and on what conditions.
State lists, points cut-offs and residence or job offer rules change during the program year, and some states close streams once their places are used. Ask us which states are nominating social worker now.
Questions
ANZSCO 272511: common questions
What is the ANZSCO code for social worker?
What does a social worker do?
Which skilled occupation list is Social Worker on?
Can I get a 189 visa as a social worker?
Is Social Worker eligible for state nomination (190 or 491)?
Can an employer sponsor a social worker?
Who assesses social worker skills for Australian migration?
Talk to us
Is ANZSCO 272511 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, qualifications, experience and English scores. We will confirm the right occupation and the visas that fit.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, checked 21 October 2026. Descriptions: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0). General information only, not immigration advice.
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