All social work programmes must meet the SWRB Education Standards . Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) also have their own mechanisms, including external monitoring, for ensuring quality and national benchmarking.
On this page:
Introduction to the Education Standards
The Social Workers Registration Act (2003) enables the SWRB to set standards for social work education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
All social work tertiary education programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand must meet the SWRB Education Standards to deliver, and continue to deliver, prescribed social work qualifications.
The Board uses Education Standards to ensure education providers provide a social work degree that:
- delivers on the purpose of the Social Workers Registration Act (2003)
- reflects the content of the SWRB’s General Scope of Social Work Practice
- enables graduates to meet professional standards for entry into the social work profession such as Fitness to Practice requirements, the Code of Conduct and the Core Competence standards.
Ensuring social work programmes meet the Education Standards
The SWRB monitors all providers of social work programmes through a combination of in-person, online and desk reviews to ensure that the education providers continue to meet the required standards for prescribed qualifications for social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Social work education reports
The SWRB compiles a report at the end of each academic year that provides information on student numbers and demographics, as well as field education activities.
Browse the social work education reports
Education resources:
Pou and narrative for the SWRB Education Standards
Prescription and Monitoring Framework _ April 2026
Education glossary and definitions
3.3.3 Guidance on Field Education Placement Exceptions different settings - July 2026
3.3.3 - Field Education Placement Exceptions - Template - June 2026
