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Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) – SKILL ASSESSMENT

ACWA is the skills-assessing authority for community services professionals applying to migrate to Australia. This applies to occupations listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). It also includes those on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

  • Welfare Centre Manager ANZSCO 134214
  • Welfare Worker ANZSCO 272613
  • Community Worker ANZSCO 411711
  • Disabilities Services Officer ANZSCO 411712
  • Family Support Worker ANZSCO 411713
  • Residential Care Officer ANZSCO 411715
  • Youth Worker ANZSCO 411716

You are strongly advised, however, to check migration eligibility and processes before proceeding with an ACWA skills assessment application.

Skills Assessments Criteria

All applications are assessed against 3 criteria: qualification; English language; and industry experience and currency.

Check the Skill Assessment Criteria the given Occupations Below:

Welfare Centre Manager ANZSCO 134214

A relevant qualification comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree or higher: A relevant qualification should be in community services, human services, or welfare. It may also include fields like social work, social services management, social policy, or similar areas. It should equip an applicant with necessary knowledge in community services and welfare practice, social policy and organisational management.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL. If the RPL exceeds 40%, the qualification will not be recognized.

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

  1. English language test results: Results must be within 3 years of the application date. For IELTS only, you can submit multiple tests as long as they are from within a period of 12 months.
    The acceptable tests and required scores are:
    IELTS (general or academic) = 7 in each band
    PTE Academic = 65 in each band
    Advanced (CAE) = 185 in each band
    TOEFL IBT PTE = Listening 24, Speaking 23, Reading 24, Writing 27.
  2. Study conducted in English from a country with English as its main language.Completed course delivered and assessed in English at the level of bachelor’s degree, masters or Ph.D. or completed all secondary education and diploma delivered and assessed in English in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.
  3. Two years of relevant industry experience in an English-speaking country. Completed at least 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment at the required skill level with English as the primary means of communication in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.
  4. A suitable skills assessment that expired within the last 6 months. Applicants who received a suitable skills assessment and are applying for the same occupation can submit a copy of their original outcome to establish English proficiency.

Employment and Currency

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of senior management with a focus on overseeing welfare services or projects. It is post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

Applicants need a minimum of 3 years of full time (or part time equivalent) industry experience which includes at least 1 year of experience in a welfare centre management role within the last 5 years. The minimum 1-year experience in a welfare centre manager must be within the last 2 years.

A welfare centre manager is responsible for the control, direction and management of a service, facility, organisation, or centre. Welfare centre managers typically:

  • Develop, implement, and monitor procedures, policies and standards for administration and practice
  • Coordinate and administer health and welfare programs and clinical services
  • Monitor and evaluate resources devoted to health, welfare, recreation, housing, employment, training and other community facilities and centres
  • Control administrative operations such as budget planning, report preparation, expenditure on supplies, equipment, and services
  • Liaise with other health and welfare providers, boards and funding bodies to discuss areas of health and welfare service cooperation and coordination
  • Advise government bodies about measures to improve health and welfare services and facilities
  • Represent the organisation in negotiations, and at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums
  • Control selection, training, and supervision of staff

Welfare Worker ANZSCO 272613

Qualifications can be one of the following:

  1. An ACWA accredited qualification: ACWA accredited diploma or higher course.
  2. A recognised relevant qualification: A professionally accredited course individually assessed and recognised by ACWA as being equivalent to an ACWA accredited AQF level 7 degree or higher.
  3. A relevant bachelor’s degree or higher qualification: A bachelor’s degree or higher qualification related to community services.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

  1. English language test results. Results must be within 3 years of application and, for IELTS only, you can submit multiple tests as long as they are from within a period of 12 months.
    The acceptable tests and required scores are:
    IELTS (general or academic) = 7 in each band
    PTE Academic = 65 in each band
    Advanced (CAE) = 185 in each band
    TOEFL IBT PTE = Listening 24, Speaking 23, Reading 24, Writing 27.
  2. Study conducted in English from a country with English as its main language. Completed course delivered and assessed in English at the level of bachelor’s degree, masters or Ph.D. or completed all secondary education and diploma delivered and assessed in English in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.
  3. Two years of relevant industry experience in an English-speaking country. Completed at least 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment at the required skill level with English as the primary means of communication in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.

Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to clients at an individual, group, family, or community level. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

  1. ACWA accredited qualification or recognised relevant qualification: Applicants who have an ACWA accredited or recognised equivalent qualification are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their field placement requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
  2. Relevant bachelor’s degree: Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) industry experience within the last 4 years.

Currency

Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways:

  • holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old
  • a minimum of least 3 months full time (or part-time equivalent) employment in a relevant current role at the required skill level
  • at least 6 months relevant employment at the required skill level within the last 18 months

Community Worker ANZSCO 411711

Qualifications can be one of the following:

  1. An ACWA accredited qualification: ACWA accredited diploma or higher course.
  2. A recognised relevant qualification: A professionally accredited course individually assessed and recognised by ACWA as being equivalent to an ACWA accredited AQF level 5 diploma or higher.
  3. A relevant diploma or higher qualification: A diploma or higher qualification related to community services.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

  • sociology; social, political, economic structures and function
  • social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects
  • general and specialised welfare services and systems
  • work with individuals, families, groups and communities
  • communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills
  • additional subjects which could include child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised.

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

  1. English language test results. Results must be within 3 years of application and, for IELTS only, you can submit multiple tests as long as they are from within a period of 12 months.
    The acceptable tests and required scores are:
    IELTS (general or academic) = 7 in each band
    PTE Academic = 65 in each band
    Advanced (CAE) = 185 in each band
    TOEFL IBT PTE = Listening 24, Speaking 23, Reading 24, Writing 27.
  2. Study conducted in English from a country with English as its main language. Completed course delivered and assessed in English at the level of bachelor’s degree, masters or Ph.D. or completed all secondary education and diploma delivered and assessed in English in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.
  3. Two years of relevant industry experience in an English-speaking country. Completed at least 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment at the required skill level with English as the primary means of communication in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.
  4. A suitable skills assessment that expired within the last 6 months. Applicants who received a suitable skills assessment and are applying for the same occupation can submit a copy of their original outcome to establish English proficiency.

Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to clients at an individual, group, family, or community level. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

  1. ACWA accredited qualification or recognised relevant qualification: Applicants who have an ACWA accredited diploma or recognised equivalent qualification are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their field placement requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
  2. Relevant diploma or higher: Applicants must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) industry experience within the last 4 years.

Currency

Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways:

  • holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old
  • a minimum of least 3 months full time (or part-time equivalent) employment in a relevant current role at the required skill level
  • at least 6 months relevant employment at the required skill level within the last 18 months

Disabilities Services Officer ANZSCO 411712/Family Support Worker ANZSCO 411713/Residential Care Officer ANZSCO 411715/Youth Worker ANZSCO 4117

Qualifications can be one of the following:

  1. A relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in disability services
  2. An ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in disability services (Not currently available)
  3. A relevant qualification (non-specialised): A relevant qualification related to community services and comparable to AQF level 5 or higher.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

  • sociology; social, political, economic structures and function
  • social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects
  • general and specialised welfare services and systems
  • work with individuals, families, groups and communities
  • communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills
  • additional subjects which could include child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence.

In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, ACWA will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

  1. English language test results. Results must be within 3 years of application and, for IELTS only, you can submit multiple tests as long as they are from within a period of 12 months.
    The acceptable tests and required scores are:
    IELTS (general or academic) = 7 in each band
    PTE Academic = 65 in each band
    Advanced (CAE) = 185 in each band
    TOEFL IBT PTE = Listening 24, Speaking 23, Reading 24, Writing 27.
  2. Study conducted in English from a country with English as its main language. Completed course delivered and assessed in English at the level of bachelor’s degree, masters or Ph.D. or completed all secondary education and diploma delivered and assessed in English in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.
  3. Two years of relevant industry experience in an English-speaking country. Completed at least 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment at the required skill level with English as the primary means of communication in a country with English as the main or official language. These are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand.
  4. A suitable skills assessment that expired within the last 6 months. Applicants who received a suitable skills assessment and are applying for the same occupation can submit a copy of their original outcome to establish English proficiency.

Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to people living with a disability. It is employment within the past 4 years, post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

  1. Relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in disability services: Applicants must have at least 12 months full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a disability services setting; and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).
  2. ACWA accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in disability services: Applicants who have completed an ACWA accredited diploma or higher are deemed to have sufficient industry experience through their field placement requirements. Where shortcomings are identified in a practicum component ACWA may ask an applicant to reapply after completing 3 months full time or part-time equivalent industry experience.
  3. Relevant qualification (non-specialised): Applicants must have 2 years full time (or part time equivalent) employment in a disability services setting and performed at the required skill level (see glossary).

Currency

Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways:

  • holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old
  • a minimum of least 3 months full time (or part-time equivalent) employment in a relevant current role at the required skill level
  • at least 6 months relevant employment at the required skill level within the last 18 months

Fees:

Payment needs to be made at the time of submission and is non-refundable. Payment methods are Mastercard or Visa. If an alternative payment is necessary please contact us.

Skills Assessment – applicants with Australian qualification only – $965

Source: https://www.acwa.org.au/

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