If you hold an overseas social work qualification, and wish to apply to register in New Zealand, there are two pathways:
- An Australian social work qualification, accredited by the AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers) or
- Other overseas social work qualifications

Step 1 – Registration
Both pathways require you to create an account in MySWRB.
There are a number of steps in your application for registration.
- Check your Australian social work qualification is AASW-accredited. If not, please choose the overseas qualification pathway (below)
- Create a MySWRB account
Create an account and fill out the details. - Choose the Australian qualification pathway
- Follow the prompts and upload your required documents.
- Complete your competence assessment documents and email to applications@swrb.govt.nz. There are two types of competence assessment so choose the one that applies to you, and fill out the documents:
- Less than six months social work experience in NZ
- More than six months social work experience in NZ
There are competence assessment guidelines available. The competence assessment and registration application fees apply to this pathway.
There are a number of steps in your application for registration. Create an account in MySWRB. Fill out the details.
- Choose your pathway option, ie Overseas qualification pathway.
- Upload your completed overseas qualification assessment document and pay your assessment fee:
Assessment of overseas qualification form
Overseas assessment guide notes
- Assessment of your overseas social work qualification
Your overseas social work qualification will be assessed by the SWRB to see if it is equivalent to an SWRB-recognised NZ social work qualification. (An NZQA assessment is not accepted, only the SWRB overseas qualification assessment.) - You are contacted
You will be advised by email whether or not the assessor accepted or declined your qualification as equivalent. - Log back into MySWRB
If your qualification is deemed equivalent, log back into MySWRB to continue your registration application. - Upload your required documents.
There are two types of competence assessment so choose the one that applies to you, and fill out the document:- Less than six months social work experience in NZ* *If your registration application is successful, you will be required to do a full competence assessment based on your practice in Aotearoa New Zealand within 6 months of receiving your Practising Certificate.
- More than six months social work experience in NZ
Competence assessment application
Full Competence Assessment Template (1-10)
There are competence assessment guidelines available. The competence assessment and registration application fees apply to this pathway.
If your qualification was completed in a language other than English, please check our English language policy.
Registration
If you’ve been successful in your application to register, you will either be:
- fully registered or
- provisionally registered.
If you have been given provisional registration, there are further requirements to become fully registered.
Step 2 – Practising Certificate
Once you are registered, you are required by law to hold a valid Practising Certificate when you are working as a social worker.
- Log into MySWRB, click Apply for Practising Certificate
- fill out your declaration
- pay your fee
- download and print your PC in A4 or wallet size.
You must renew your Practising Certificate each year for it to be valid. If you do not intend to practise, please log onto MySWRB and declare yourself not practising.