All AMHSWs have a qualifying degree in professional social work practice. Like other health professionals, social workers are tertiary qualified - as a 4-year undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Mental health is essential core curriculum in accredited higher education social work programs. This requires demonstration of understanding mental health issues and practice interventions before they graduate from their social work degree at university.

The majority of AMHSWs also have further training and qualifications, with over 60 per cent having postgraduate degree qualifications.

After completing university qualifications, social workers who hold accredited membership with the AASW can pursue additional training and credentialing processes to apply for Accredited Mental Health Social Worker status. This accreditation is formally recognised by the Federal Government and signals advanced expertise in mental health practice.

To gain accreditation, social workers must also complete a number of years/hours of supervised practice in mental health settings where they are delivering focused psychological services.

They must also meet continuing professional development (CPD) requirements; demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge and skills through rigorous assessment processes; and provide referee statements from employers and supervisors.

Accreditation is not a one‑off achievement. To maintain AMHSW status — and remain eligible to provide services under Medicare’s Better Access initiative — you are required to continue regular supervision and complete 30 hours of continuing education each year. This includes 20 hours directly related to mental health practice and 10 hours in Focused Psychological Strategies, as required by Medicare for all allied health professionals.

AMHSWs are subject to audit by the Mental Health Unit of the AASW to ensure these competency standards and ongoing learning are maintained.

AMHSWs also agree to abide by the AASW Code of Ethics, to ensure high standards of ethics are maintained in the service provision.

AMHSWs are registered providers with Medicare Australia. They have been assessed on behalf of the Commonwealth Government by the AASW as having specialist mental health expertise.

AMHSWs are one of the few designated allied health professional groups eligible to provide private mental health services to people with diagnosable mental health conditions or people ‘at risk’ of developing mental health conditions under the Commonwealth Medicare initiative.

Along with provider eligibility for a number of Commonwealth funded supports & other schemes (for e.g. NDIS, DVA) - they are recognised providers of psychological services with many Private Health Insurance Funds.

AMHSWs have particular expertise in helping individuals whose mental health problems co-exist with other difficulties such as family distress, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, disability, poverty, and trauma.

They seek to identify factors that exacerbate or ameliorate a person’s mental health problems and focus on building strengths and augmenting social supports.

AMHSWs work with a broad range of populations. Some specialise in working with particular client groups such as adolescents, adults or older people, and in the use of particular therapeutic approaches such as marital or family therapy. Social workers also work with people with specific disorders, and those at risk of suicide.

Advanced training is expected of AMHSWs, preparing and providing them with the skills required to support people with highly complex presentations and comorbidities.

They have the skills and knowledge to assess and intervene around the impacts of physical illness, specifically chronic and advanced chronic or terminal illness - on a person’s psychological wellbeing.