Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers - BRIEF SKILLS ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
This Institute is responsible for assessment of qualifications and experience in WELFARE WORK ONLY in connection with applications for migration to Australia under the skilled migration scheme and for the assessment of overseas qualifications for admission to membership of the AIWCW.
There are two pathways which may be used to assess suitability for welfare work. These are BRIEFLY described below:
PATHWAY A
Graduates of a course which is equivalent to one with AIWCW Basic Approval – such courses will generally:-
1. be at lease equivalent to an Australian Qualification Framework 2-year Diploma
2. have a curriculum which includes:
A. Studies of society, including:
(i) the link between the individual and social and political structure
(ii) patterns of family and community life (e.g., including introductory sociology, family studies, politics, economics, human geography)
B. Studies of individual human structure and function, including:
(i) a range of physical, social and psychological aspects (e.g., including introductory psychology, biology, health studies)
C. A range of welfare services, including:
(i) the ongoing provision of services, service development, and the rights and interests of clients
(ii) studies which relate the practical application of aspects of welfare services (e.g., Aged Care, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Child Protection, Community Work, Community Housing, Mental Health, Youth Work, or Disability, and the like)
D. Foundations of welfare work, including:
(i) work with individuals (case work)
(ii) work with groups
(iii) work with communities
(iv) ecological, systems and structural approaches, values and ethics, and the development of welfare systems
(v) Skills acquisition (including some experiential work separate from field education; such as videoed or role-played counseling, meetings, group leadership experiences, and field study of communities, either during or separate from formal class sessions)
E. Research and evaluation
F. At least 400 hours of professionally supervised field work, in two separate placements, which is included and assessed as part of the academic qualification
G. At least 52 weeks of full-time study over two calendar years OR at least 1000 hours of class contact.
PATHWAY B
The following may also be used for assessment:-
Graduates with an Other Relevant Qualification who have at least three years of relevant professional experience and who can satisfy the AIWCW Core Competencies Requirements.
1. Other Relevant Qualification – at least equivalent to an Australian Qualification Framework 2-year Diploma which has a curriculum relevant to a closely related occupation, e.g. work with disabled, youth, aged, nursing, physiotherapy, and the like, OR which is equivalent to at least a bachelor degree with a major in Psychology or Sociology. Other Bachelor degrees need not be vocationally or occupationally oriented, but must be in the Social Sciences or a similar discipline – e.g., a degree with a Politics or Economics major, plus at least one year of either Psychology or Sociology; or a degree in English Literature or History with a year of Social Science; or a degree in Theology; may be acceptable, but would depend upon the subjects and the content of the subjects included in the degree (e.g. substantial content of Pathway A assessment requirement)
2. Relevant Professional Experience – Can be paid or voluntary but must average at least 30 hours per week for a total of three years during the past 10 years. Voluntary work must be supervised by a professional person. Relevant occupations may include psychologist, nurse, community worker, social policy analyst/planner, residential care worker, teacher, pastor, social researcher, and the like.
3. Core Competencies – 35 questions which must be satisfactorily answered (and supported with appropriate evidence) using your background knowledge and experience.
If you think that you can satisfy the requirements for a positive assessment using either Pathway A or Pathway B, then you should obtain the appropriate application form and more detailed information from our website (www.aiwcw.org.au) or request that the information be emailed or posted to you. You should also obtain information about the General Skilled Migration scheme from your nearest Australian Embassy.
The AIWCW is not an employment agency and we do not maintain records or details of job vacancies. However, you could perhaps have a look at the following websites – www.mycareer.com.au , www.careerone.com.au, www.seek.com.au , www.jobguide.detya.gov.au.
The AIWCW does not organise or run training courses for international students – these are undertaken by
the various educational organisations/institutions throughout Australia.
If not already done, you should consult the “General Skilled Migration” booklet which is available from the Australian Embassy or the Immigration Department website (www.immi.gov.au), for details about how to apply for assessment using your particular qualifications and experience, occupation, and other information, if you are intending to make application to migrate to Australia as a skilled migrant.
(Deane Welsh)
Overseas Assessments
AIWCW
PO Box 42, FLINDERS LANE 8009
MELBOURNE VIC Australia
Phone: +61 3 9654 8287 Facsimile: +61 3 9654 1081 Email: info@aiwcw.org.au Website: www.aiwcw.org.au