The Certificate of Competency is awarded by ANZASW on the successful completion of a Competency Assessment and is the main basis for Full Membership of the Association.  The Certificate is additionally recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) as meeting the competency requirement for Registration.

ANZASW is only able to affirm that you hold a valid Competency Certificate whilst you remain a financial member of the Association.  Should your membership lapse or you resign from ANZASW, the Certificate of Competency becomes invalid for the purposes of ANZASW membership.  Should you wish to rejoin the Association at a later date you would then be required to undertake the Initial Competency Assessment once again, unless you had completed the requirements to be a Registered Social Worker prior to resigning or lapsing your ANZASW membership and you have remained Registered, holding a current Annual Practicing Certificate.

By retaining membership of ANZASW, the life of the Certificate is preserved for a full five years, at which time you would be required to complete your Recertification.  The cost of Recertification is discounted over the preceding years of Full Membership and is free to those who have maintained continuous membership.

Maintaining your membership brings many benefits to social workers, including:

• Involvement in an organisation that models a Bi-cultural partnership
• Networking
• Affiliation with IFSW
• Access to regular publications
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Opportunities for professional advocacy
• Continuing Professional Development