SA Recruitment is working with an organisation looking to bring South African Social Workers into Australia. Social Workers (specifically with Child Protection/Child Welfare experience) are on the skills shortage list for Australia allowing states to sponsor these professionals from abroad to work contracts within the specific state.

There are state-sponsored visa’s available for work in 2 major regions (states) in Australia:

Northern Territories – these vacancies would see Social Workers working directly with indigenous local populations in very rural environments. Candidates should ideally have some experience with rural, local and/or multicultural populations as these conditions are quite unique. This environment will be challenging (rough and ready), but extremely rewarding as Social Workers will be working very much at grass roots level.

Victoria state (around the Melbourne area) – these vacancies are in a more urban environment, working from a structured work environment and not as physically challenging as the vacancies in the Northern Territories.

Start date and duration of contracts

There is no fixed start date or date for CV submission as this is an ongoing recruitment drive. The visa process will take approximately 2-3 months and the Social Worker’s own availability will also be factored into a start date so this will not be an overnight thing.

The contracts are for a period of 2 years, the Social Worker will be locked into that state/region for the length of the contract, BUT once this contractual period has elapsed the Social Worker may apply for RESIDENCY and then work anywhere in Australia.

What requirements and what documentation must the Social Worker submit

The following documents have to be scanned and emailed through to SA Recruitment:

Detailed and updated CV – this must please be emailed through as a word document

2 professional references SA Recruitment can verify

Police clearance certificate – you will need to apply for this at your local police station at a cost of approximately R50; this certificate can take up to 6 weeks to be issued and once you have applied you will need to furnish SA Recruitment with your receipt of this application for your file

Scanned and emailed copies of your degree and any other certificates, diplomas you have been awarded

Your IELTS results (please see below for a detailed explanation)

IELTS – what is this?

IELTS is the International English Language Test (www.ielts.org) – this is a web/internet based English language tests ALL South African applicants looking for work in Australia have to take and pass.

This organisation has testing sites across South Africa and on their website you will be able to see when the tests are scheduled for your area. You are able to practise the tests online in preparation for the actual test you will write – we strongly recommend that you do take adequate time to prepare for this test as it will cost you money...and you do need to pass. The cost for this test is R1900, but this is almost the only cost you will have to pay in your relocation to Australia – again there is no fixed start date so take the time to prepare for this test and to get the money together to pay for it.

What is the process from start to finish

We will submit the Social Workers CV to our colleagues in Australia for their initial feedback as to the suitability of the candidate for the vacancies available.

We will relay this feedback to the candidate and proceed accordingly.

If the initial feedback is positive we will begin the process of requesting and gathering the required documentation from the Social Worker and sending this through to Australia. There will be ongoing communication between the Social Worker, SA Recruitment and the consultants in Australia to ensure all parties are clear on potential start dates etc.

Once all the necessary documentation has been passed through to SA Recruitment, it will be sent across to Australia at which point the Australia team will finalise interviews (if appropriate) and lodge the visa application – this could take several weeks. Contracts and final arrangements (packages, salaries) are agreed.

Upon the awarding of the visa, the Social Worker will then be on their way to Australia!!!

Once in Australia, SA Recruitment’s responsibilities end and the Australian team will ensure the smooth settling in of the Social Worker.

During the course of this entire period, SA Recruitment will liaise between all parties to ensure effective communication.

What kinds of benefits are there to interested Social Workers:

The visa will cost the Social Worker nothing – it is all paid for and fast tracked by the Australia state

These contracts are a great (relatively cheap) way of relocating permanently to Australia

It is a great opportunity to gain some international experience within the Social Work field and enjoy the benefits of living in a 1st world country

Salaries will range between R326k – R416k per annum (this is a ballpark figure and salaries will be discussed with individual candidates

Relocation costs, flights and initial accommodation are all on the cards to assist in the move to Australia

The location of your work will change, but the nature of the job will be the same – the same rewards, but the same challenges. It is an opportunity to earn more for the work you do and effort you put in, and it is also a good stepping stone for changing your life of the life and lifestyle of your family.