Register social work. Nationally. Fairly.
In Australia, anyone can call themselves a social worker. That isn't the case in the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada or the United States. South Australia legislated a registration scheme in 2021, then abandoned it in June 2026 before it began, blaming the cost of a fee that was never set. We think registration is affordable, if it's done nationally and done fairly.
Cost isn't the deal-breaker
states or territories that register social workers today
likely yearly cost of national registration for most social workers, after tax
what many already pay each year for voluntary AASW membership
of social workers belong to the AASW, the only body with a code and a complaints process
Three plain-English guides
Why do Australian service users and vulnerable children deserve less protection?
How other countries protected the title, eleven years of Australian recommendations, and who is exposed without a register.
What would social work registration really cost you?
A fact check of why SA dropped its scheme, what other professions and overseas social workers pay, and what a fee would cost after tax.
Registering social work in Australia: how it could work
Four ways a national scheme could work, whether social work is really "low risk", what England learned, and how the AASW's role might change.
Done nationally. Done fairly.
One national scheme
Not a state patchwork. A single-state fee hurts recruitment. A national scheme shares the running costs and gives recognition in every state.
Fee caps and hardship discounts
So rises like England's 33% jump can't happen without scrutiny. SA's design already included a 50% hardship reduction.
Employer contributions
Especially in government child protection, where registration protects the employer as well.
Clear value for the fee
A protected title, public accountability and recognition that moves with you across states.
Three things you can do
Know your numbers
Compare what you pay today with what registration would likely cost after tax.
See the after-tax costsTell your federal MP
Tell them registration is affordable, if it's done nationally and done fairly. Use your own words and your own experience.
Find your federal MPAdd your voice
Tell us what you think, and help fill the evidence gap. Your answers shape what we say next.
Add your voiceWhere do you stand?
Two minutes. Your answers help us show decision-makers what social workers really think. We'll only ever share combined results, never your name.
Would you have to join both the AASW and a national register?
Fair Go isn't taking a position on this. We believe the social work community should be consulted first.
In England there's no requirement to join both
Where Fair Go stands
Fair Go is independent. We're not a regulator, a union or part of the AASW, and we have no role in any future scheme. We believe registration protects the public and recognises the profession, and that it has to be affordable. Where the evidence cuts the other way, we say so: see "To be fair to the other side". This is general information, not legal or financial advice.