We are pleased to release findings from two important surveys completed this year: the Public Trust Survey Update 2025 and the 2025 Social Worker Workforce Report.

You can read these reports in here:
2025 update on the public’s trust in social workers

2025 annual social work workforce report [link]

As both the occupational regulator and lead agency for workforce planning, we see an interconnected picture emerging from this research.

Social workers enter the profession to make a difference during life’s toughest moments—supporting children, families, the elderly, and others facing hardship. But for that support to work, people need to trust the person helping them.

Public trust matters because professions with higher trust achieve better outcomes. As the regulator, we need to understand trust levels in social work. We first commissioned research post mandatory registration in 2023, and this year completed a follow-up survey.

Findings show public trust in social workers remains steady at 55%, with greater understanding of the profession linked to higher confidence. People who know more about what social workers do are more likely to trust them.

Our annual workforce survey helps us understand the profession through information shared by practicing social workers. This year 4,257 responded, representing a 53% response rate. The findings provide valuable insights into the workforce, their roles, current practice issues, and sustainability challenges.

These findings reveal significant pressures: 85% of practitioners affected by workload and burnout, an aging workforce facing retirement, and a shift toward part-time work (now 25%, up from 12% in 2022). Yet there are encouraging signs: registration is strengthening professional identity, public awareness of standards is growing, and 71% of social workers would still recommend the career.

Our role is to support this dedicated workforce—particularly in managing increasing complexity—while building public understanding of social work’s professional standards and regulated status. This dual focus on workforce sustainability and public confidence is essential to ensuring New Zealanders can access the trusted, competent social work support they need.