July – August 2025
Why this review matters
Every five years, the Social Workers Registration Board | Kāhui Whakamana Tauwhiro (SWRB) is required to review the operation of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 (the Act) to ensure it is still fit for purpose. This is the first review since mandatory registration was introduced in 2021, making it an important opportunity to check that the Act is doing what it was designed to do – both now and into the future.
The Act protects the title of Social Worker and contains a range of mechanisms to ensure social workers are competent to practise and accountable for the way in which they practise. The Act also established the SWRB and gave it a key role in ensuring members of the public have access to safe, quality social work services and to enhance the professionalism of social workers.
This review is about strengthening the Act to ensure it supports safe, effective, and accountable social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand and builds public trust and confidence in the profession.
Have your say
We want to hear from you to help shape the advice we provide to the Minister for Social Development and Employment on the operation of the Act. This includes listening to social workers, employers, educators, students, and those who use social work services. We are also engaging with peak bodies, professional associations and others with a deep knowledge of the social work and social services sector more broadly.
Throughout this engagement we will be guided by our values of Matatika – we will align with best practice, Manaaki – we are respectful of our stakeholders, Mahitahi- we are collaborative, and Māia – we are brave and courageous.
How to get involved
You can tell us what you think via the following ways:
- Watch the webinar recordings
Wednesday 6 August 2025 – Watch a recording of the webinar (YouTube)
Wednesday 27 August 2025 – Watch a recording of the webinar (YouTube) - Give us your feedback through this online feedback form.
This form includes questions to help prompt your thinking and includes space to raise any other points you believe are important.
Please submit your feedback before Tuesday 30 September 2025 so that it can help shape the advice we provide to the Minister for Social Development and Employment. - You may want to get together with your colleagues, support networks, local association branch or other peers and provide joint feedback. You can submit this feedback or ask any other questions via submissions@swrb.govt.nz
We will also draw on what you’ve already told us through workforce, employer and education provider surveys. For example, many who responded to the workforce survey referred to the increase in accountability for safe and effective practice that registration brings. They also commented that registration upholds the integrity and mana of the profession, as well as protecting the mana of clients.
If you’d like to read and refer to the legislation itself, you can find the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 on the New Zealand Legislation website.
What happens next
Your feedback will be summarised and key themes shared in the final report that we will present to the Minister for Social Development and Employment in December 2025. This will include our recommendations for any changes to the Act. The Minister will table our report in Parliament, likely in the new year. We will also share a summary and the key themes we’ve heard through the SWRB Onboard newsletter and website after the final report is submitted.
The SWRB does not make decisions on changes to legislation, however, the report will help inform any next steps. Any changes will be considered through a government policy and parliamentary process led by the Ministry of Social Development.
Want to know more or have any questions?
Contact us via submissions@swrb.govt.nz
Page updated 15 September 2025