Child Protection/Child Welfare Jobs

[aus2012]

How difficult is it to get a social work job in child protection/Child welfare? I am just learning to write the selection criteria and in the process of having my MSW degree from an accredited USA program assessed through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). I am just wondering what are the chance of me actually finding sponsorship and getting the job. The AASW charges $850 AUD for the assessment, which is a large amount of money spent if I am unable to find sponsorship & job.

By the way, I have 7 years of child welfare experience in the USA.

[_shel]

There are jobs, most being with the state in child protection. NGOs employ various staff in child welfare but the pay is poor and mainly undertaken by unqualified workers.

NGOs don't sponsor being charities with limited funds. Most states require you to have PR because you will be a government worker so don't usually sponsor. NT & WA sometimes sponsor but they have just had a big UK recruitment drive so won't be doing that again for about 2 years and when they do they only offer 457 temp visas.

[sue.e]

Hi aus2012
I was sponsored by the state of Victoria just over two years ago as a child protection worker. Came to oz on a 457 visa, the department agreed to sponsor permanent residence, waiting for visa to come through. With regard to AASW this is not a requirement for the role of child protection worker, employed by Department of Human Services. Hope this helps.

[_shel]

No its not for Vic because they are one of the worst paid and badly managed state departments to work for in the country. But it is a requirement for every other state. Meaning if you don't have that assessment you can never work anywhere else hence why so many people sponsored by Vic leave Australia and they have to recruit on an almost yearly basis overseas.