About us

The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) is a Crown agency that provides public assurance that Registered Social Workers:

• meet professional standards of competent practice
• are accountable for the way in which they practise
• undertake ongoing professional development.

Registration is relatively new to the profession of social work and was introduced on a voluntary basis in 2003. The SWRB has been established under the Social Workers Registration Act 2003.

This Act provides the framework for the registration of social workers. Its main purpose is to protect the safety of members of the public by ensuring social workers are competent to practise.

The SWRB was constituted in November 2003 with responsibility for establishing the criteria for registration of New Zealand and overseas qualified social workers, developing a Code of Conduct, establishing the policies and procedures for complaints and discipline, and setting up the registration database (the Register).

The SWRB actively sets out to promote the benefits of registration, promote and encourage high standards of practice and professional conduct among Registered Social Workers and employers of social workers, and advise, and make recommendations to, the responsible Minister about matters relating to the regulation of the social work profession.

Social Workers Registration Board

L – R Back Row: Lynne Briggs RSW, Kitty Chiu, Mary Miles RSW, Moana Eruera RSW, Jim Heays.
L – R Front Row: Paula Nes RSW, Maaka Tibble, Toni Hocquard RSW – Chairperson, Stuart Macdonald – Deputy Chairperson