This report provides unique insights into the social worker workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are fortunate to have such rich information shared by practicing social workers who completed the annual workforce survey as they renewed their practising certificates between May and July 2025. A huge thank you to all participants. Your responses provide invaluable insights into the composition of… Read more »
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News
Feedback received on the development of the draft Social Worker Workforce Strategy and Action Plan
What we’ve heard The feedback reveals both encouragement and clear areas requiring attention: Support for the Strategy focus.There is strong support for having a Workforce Strategy specifically dedicated to the social work profession. This cross-government approach is seen as long overdue and necessary. Te Tiriti commitment needs strengthening. A significant theme from the feedback is that… Read more »
Beyond ‘Any Job Will Do’:
Your new-grad social work survival kit by Amy Ross, RSW When you graduate and are looking for your first job as a social worker, it is really easy for the focus to be just on getting a job, any job. Fair enough too, given the cost of living, the financial pressures of study and the… Read more »
Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day professional development koha
Ngā Mihi! We celebrate social workers and the incredible mahi you do for whānau and communities. Day in and day out, you show up and make a difference. What you do matters. Thank you for your ongoing dedication and commitment to the social work profession. In recognition of Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day and Te… Read more »
Consultation on education fees 2025
The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) consulted on changes to the education fees charged to tertiary education organisations (TEOs) for the regulation of social work programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand. The consultation closed 22 October 2025. The context for this consultation Education fees had remained unchanged since 2019, during which time we have developed new… Read more »
Have your say on the review of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003
December 2025 Why this review matters This year we have been formally reviewing the Social Workers Registration Act, which we are required to do every five years. 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… Read more »
Developing the Social Worker Workforce Strategy and Action Plan 2025-2030
Your voice matters in shaping our profession’s future We’re developing Aotearoa New Zealand’s first cross-system Social Worker Workforce Strategy to address the sustainability challenges facing the profession. This isn’t something any one organisation can do alone – it requires all of us working together. What’s this about? Sustainable Social Work Pathways | Tauwhiro Ararau recognises that… Read more »
Registration compliance function transfer
From 1 July 2025, the Social Workers Registration Board is responsible for investigating concerns about unregistered people being described as social workers. This registration compliance function was previously the responsibility of Te Kāhui Kāhu, a business unit hosted by the Ministry of Social Development. Files relating to historic and current investigations were handed over to… Read more »
Social worker workforce report published to acknowledge “Matariki mā Puanga”
Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, kei ngā ringa raupā, tēnā koutou katoa To those of importance, those who work with communities, those with callused hands, greetings and acknowledgements to you. Nei rā he taonga mou — he whatu raranga nō ngā whakaaro, ngā wheako, me ngā ūpoko pakaru. E kore noa iho tēnei e… Read more »
Renew your practising certificate
Log in to your MySWRB portal to renew your PC and make your annual practising declaration before 27 June 2025.If you have any questions, please:a) watch the video tutorial on how to renew your PC – SWRBb) read the frequently asked questions about PC renewals – SWRBc) contact us at applications@swrb.govt.nz Remember to always include… Read more »
