Social worker registration compliance

The Social Workers Registration Act 2003 (the Act) aims to:

• lift the professionalism of social workers,
• keep the public safe, and
• make sure anyone who calls themselves or works as a social worker is registered and holds a practising certificate.

Anyone who presents or practises as a social worker must register with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB). Only registered social workers can:

• use the title ‘social worker’, or
• describe themselves in any way that suggests they are a social worker.

The SWRB manages social worker registrations and practising certificates.

If you're concerned about a registered social worker, let the SWRB know through their website. Concerns could include:

• their competence,
• their actions, and
• whether they have a current practising certificate.

Social Workers Registration Board external

We handle concerns about people who are presenting and practising as social workers but aren’t registered. If the concern is about the actions or competence of an unregistered worker, you’ll need to raise it with their employer.

Unregistered people haven’t shown the SWRB that they’re fit to practice as social workers, so they may pose a risk to the public.

If you’re worried about someone presenting or practising as a social worker without being registered, please contact us at socialworkerclaims@msd.govt.nz. We follow up on every report to make sure the law is being followed.

To help us respond, please include:

• why you believe the person is presenting or practising as a social worker, and
• their contact details, or details of the organisation they work for, so we can get in touch and give them a chance to respond.

If the person is eligible to register, we’ll give them information on how to meet the legal requirements.

There is more information available on the Ministry of Social Development’s website.

Social Worker Registration - Ministry of Social Development external