All social work programmes must meet the current SWRB Education Standards (previously known as Programme Recognition Standards). Tertiary education organisations also have their own mechanisms, including external monitoring, for ensuring quality and national benchmarking.
On this page:
Introduction to the Education Standards
All social work programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand must meet the SWRB’s Education Standards to continue to be recognised.
The Education Standards enable us to prescribe qualifications for social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Board uses Education Standards to ensure education providers deliver a social work degree that:
- meets the principles under the Social Workers Registration Act and the scope of practice
- enables graduates to meet professional standards for entry into the social work profession such as the Code of Conduct and the Ten Core Competencies.
Only students who complete prescribed programmes leading to an SWRB–recognised qualification will be eligible to apply to become a registered social worker (unless applying through an overseas qualification that is assessed as equivalent to an Aotearoa New Zealand qualification).
Ensuring social work programmes meet the Education Standards
The SWRB visits all providers of social work programmes through a combination of in-person, online and desktop reviews to ensure that the education providers continue to meet the required standards for prescribed qualifications for social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Review of the Education Standards
The SWRB first developed Education Standards (previously known as programme recognition standards) for social work qualifying programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2005, following the introduction of the Social Workers Registration Act (SWRA) 2003. Education Standards reviews should occur every four years.
Read more about the Education Standards Review 2021-25
The 2020 review was delayed due to the impact of COVID-19.
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.
