Whether you've just finished high school or are looking to switch careers later in life, an undergraduate degree is a straight-forward way to build your career as a social worker.
Average social worker salaries across Australian states
If you care about people and want a job that really matters, social work might be for you. From hospitals and schools to community health and justice settings, social workers help people navigate some of the toughest moments in life.
It’s also a profession in high demand. Jobs and Skills Australia list social workers among the top 20 occupations in demand nationally, with shortages driven by the need for more qualified graduates.
At the same time, health care and social assistance is projected to see the biggest job growth of any industry over the next decade.
So what does that mean for your pay, your job prospects, and your study options if you’re thinking about a career in social work?
Social work: stats at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Average national salary | $98,000 |
| In shortage? | In SA, NT, ACT and regional VIC |
| Employment growth – last year | +21% |
| Employment growth – last 5 years | +47% |
| Sources: NERO dashboard (Jobs and Skills Australia), Occupation Profiles (Jobs and Skills Australia), Occupation Shortage List (Jobs and Skills Australia), Seek | |
How much do social workers earn in Australia?
On average, most social workers in Australia earn between $90,000 and $105,000 per year. That range is just a starting point. Your salary will also depend on:
- whether you’re in an entry-level, experienced or leadership role
- the sector you work in – government, hospitals, NGOs or private practice
- your specialisation (such as mental health, child protection, housing, family violence or aged care)
- some governments boost pay and conditions to attract social workers into areas with shortages like child protection, justice or community programs
- roles outside capital cities often include higher salary ranges, relocation support or additional allowances.
Below we look at average salary ranges using SEEK data and also break down typical full-time base salary ranges for government/public health social work roles in each state/territory (the most standardised pay). Keep in mind that additional benefits like penalties, on-call, allowances and salary packaging sit on top and vary by role and experience.
How much are social workers paid in New South Wales?
In New South Wales, social workers earn between $85,000 and $105,000 on average. Demand is higher across Newcastle, Maitland, Hunter, Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast, with the average salary in these areas sitting at $114,217.
Social workers in government roles have their pay explicitly stated through the NSW Health Service Health Professionals (State) Award:
- Level 1 (early career): $76,364 to $89,232 (Years 1-4)
- Level 2 (experienced clinician): $95,131 to $108,943 (Years 1-4)
- Level 3-4 (senior): $116,892 to $129,591
- Level 5-8 (advanced/principal): $135,884 to $189,779
How much are social workers paid in Victoria?
Annual salaries range between $85,000 and $100,000 on average for social workers in Victoria. In metropolitan Melbourne, there's high demand for more workers across community services, mental health, and family support. In regional areas, meanwhile, there's a strong need to fill roles in health, aged and disability care, with significant growth expected in regions like Barwon, Gippsland and Loddon Campaspe.
Victorian (public hospitals) social workers are usually paid on the Grade 1-4 scale base rates under the Fair Work enterprise agreement:
- Grade 1 (early career): $70,590 to $85,873
- Grade 2 (experienced clinician): $90,236 to $103,724
- Grade 3 (senior): $104,135 to $118,981
- Grade 4 (principal/lead): $126,079 to $138,928
How much are social workers paid in South Australia?
In South Australia, social workers earn between $90,000 and $100,000 on average. Pay for social workers in this state depends mostly on whether you’re in state government/health (common) or community/NGO roles.
SA Government/SA Health social workers are usually paid on the Allied Health Professional (AHP) scale:
- AHP1 (entry/grad): $71,217 to $86,938
- AHP2 (qualified/experienced clinician): $91,785 to $106,330
- AHP3 (senior): $108,347 to $116,216
- AHP4–AHP6 (advanced lead/manager/director): $118,887 to $159,050
How much are social workers paid in Queensland?
Social workers in Queensland earn an average salary of between $95,000 and $100,000. The state is also home to some of the highest demand areas in Australia, including in Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast, where social workers earn an average of $125,000.
Government social workers are covered by the Queensland Health “Health Practitioners stream" and are commonly hired at HP3, then HP4/HP5 for senior roles:
- HP3: $79,051 to $119,823
- HP4 (senior): $128,169 to $137,918
- HP5 (advanced/lead): $144,991 to $151,289
How much are social workers paid in the Northern Territory?
Demand and pay are higher for social workers in the Northern Territory, who earn an annual average salary of between $95,000 and $115,000.
NT government (including NT Health) social workers are usually paid on the NTPS Professional (P) stream:
- P1 (entry/grad): $68,904 to $87,700
- P2 (qualified/experienced): $90,204 to $107,554
- P3 (senior): $110,873 to $124,173
- SP1-SP2 (advanced/principal): $128,551 to $161,638
How much are social workers paid in Western Australia?
In Western Australia, social workers earn between $100,000 and $105,000 on average.
WA Health and government social workers are covered under PACTs Industrial Agreement – “Professional Division”:
- P-1.1 to P-1.4 (early career): $75,718 to $89,746
- P-2.1 to P-2.6 (experienced): $96,255 to $122,787
- P-3.1 to P-3.4 (senior): $125,266 to $136,652
- P-4.1 to P-4.2 (principal/manager): $151,871 to $159,055
How much are social workers paid in Tasmania?
High demand means social workers earn more in many parts of Tasmania, with average annual salaries sitting between $95,000 and $115,000.
Tasmanian government/health service social workers are typically paid on the Allied Health Professional (AHP) scale:
- AHP Level 1-2 (entry/clinician): $73,834 to $111,364
- AHP Level 3 (senior/clinical lead): $110,425 to $121,907
- AHP Level 4 (principal/manager): $123,717 to $134,336
- AHP Level 5-6 (advanced lead/manager/director): $143,677 to $195,566
How much are social workers paid in the ACT?
Social workers are in higher demand in the ACT, earning an average salary of between $100,000 and $120,000.
Canberra Health Services/ACT public health social workers are typically paid based on the Health Professional (HP) scale:
- HP1 (new grad): $79,070 to $95,973
- HP2 (qualified clinician): $91,026 to $108,691
- HP3 (senior/clinical leadership): $111,639 to $126,060
- HP4 (principal/manager): $125,344 to $139,120
- HP5 (manager): $146,705 to $164,506
Australian social worker salaries by state & territory
| State/territory | Average social worker salary |
|---|---|
| Victoria | $97,000 |
| Queensland | $98,000 |
| New South Wales | $93,000 |
| Northern Territory | $110,000 |
| South Australia | $99,000 |
| Tasmania | $95,000 |
| Western Australia | $104,000 |
| ACT | $108,000 |
[source: Seek data, Jan 2026]
Note: these are rounded average figures sourced using Seek data and may not capture the full picture of salary trends – experience, specific location, seniority and setting have a big influence on earnings.
What does a social worker actually do?
Your day-to-day work as a social worker depends on where you are based, but typically involves:
- supporting individuals, families and communities facing challenges such as housing insecurity, family violence, mental health concerns or financial stress
- assessing needs and risks, then connect people with services, supports and resources
- advocating for clients within systems such as health, justice, housing or education
- working in multidisciplinary teams alongside nurses, doctors, psychologists, youth workers, lawyers and others
- contribute to programs, policies and community initiatives that aim to create safer, fairer environments.
Settings include hospitals, community health centres, schools, not-for-profit organisations, homelessness services, youth justice, correctional facilities, aged care, disability services, and more.
Student story – Tayla de Santa-ana
Finding her path through volunteering for mob and community events, Tayla de Santa-ana now works as a grade one social worker at St Vincent’s Hospital, where she works with acute patients, listens to their stories, advocates on their behalf and help set up their discharge and ensuring support services.
What affects how much a social worker earns?
Social workers are in high demand. Does this mean you can build a secure, well-paying career in the sector? The short answer is yes. But some of the factors below will influence your pay and career progression.
Beyond the salary: is social work worth it?
Salary is always front of mind with rising living costs. But many social workers choose the profession because they want to do meaningful work and see tangible change in people’s lives. Job satisfaction is an important aspect of building a career that keeps you engaged, energised and motivated long-term.
If you:
- are passionate about equity and justice
- want a career with strong demand and room to grow
- enjoy complex problem-solving and working with people
… then social work can offer a rewarding, stable and impactful career pathway.
Student story – Briahny Lundberg
Driven by a passion for removing barriers and advocating for young people, Briahny Lundberg's final-year placement at headspace became her launchpad for her social work career. She’s now an Access Team Clinician there, supporting young people and guiding carers to communicate with hope – not judgement.
How to become a social worker
To work as a professional social worker in Australia, you usually need to graduate from a degree accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Straight into uni
Start with TAFE
Do I need to be an AASW member to be a social worker?
No, you don't legally have to be a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) to work as a social worker in Australia, as it's not a nationally registered profession. However, the AASW sets the standards, and most employers require you to have an AASW-accredited degree and be eligible for membership (or be a member) to prove you meet professional standards for qualified roles.
AASW membership signifies commitment to ethical practice, ongoing education and meeting industry standards. You need an AASW-approved qualification to be eligible for membership, which provides professional recognition. So while it's not a legal mandate, AASW membership is a way of being recognised as a qualified, professional social worker in Australia.
Student story – Lisette D’Souza
Keen to make a positive impact fast, Lisette D’Souza felt ready to work after 1,000 hours of placements – the ‘best way to learn’, she says. In a secondary school placement, she supported anxious students, nurturing her passion for social work in schools working alongside psychologists and counsellors.
Study social work at VU
Study social work in a way that fits your life at VU:
- Learn one subject at a time in smaller, workshop-style classes where you can ask questions and get to know your teachers
- Build real-world skills through placements with community organisations, hospitals and government agencies
- Enjoy structured support from day one so you can succeed instead of burning out
- Build industry connections and get placement experience to make your CV stand out.
