A social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care worker or auxiliary child and youth care worker who has obtained his or her basic (or first qualification) outside of the Republic of South Africa and who wishes to practice his or her profession in the country may apply to the SACSSP to be registered as provided in the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 and the respective Regulations.
- Requirements and criteria
A social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care worker or auxiliary child and youth care worker (who has obtained his or her basic (or first qualification) outside of the Republic of South Africa and who wishes to practice his or her profession in the country must first have his or her qualification assessed by the SACSSP in terms of section 17D of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 as to ascertain whether such a qualification is of the same standard of professional education and training as the required Prescribed Qualification.
Before proceeding please see Foreign qualifications.
Social workers and social auxiliary workers please also read the registration requirements under Social Work as well as the Assessment of international qualifications and registration policy for social workers and social auxiliary workers (2019).
Child and youth care workers and auxiliary child and youth care workers please also read the registration requirements under Child and Youth Care Work.
- Registration (Foreign Graduates)
The qualifications (Prescribed Qualification) obtained by a social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care worker or auxiliary child and youth care worker must be assessed by the SACSSP before he or she will be registered.
In order to assess the qualification and process the application by persons who obtain their qualifications outside of the Republic of South Africa, the following needs to be provided:
- documentary proof from the training institution where he or she received tuition and training in social work, social auxiliary work, child and youth care work or auxiliary child and youth care work of the content of theoretical tuition and both the nature and duration of field instruction received in each subject;
- documentary proof that the training institution where he or she received tuition and training in social work, social auxiliary work, child and youth care work or auxiliary child and youth care work is accredited, specifying the body with which the training institution is accredited. If the training institution is not accredited, proof of any other form of recognition that the training institution has is acceptable;
- in the case of a training institution that is accredited, documentary proof from the accrediting body that the qualification(s) is/are or was/were the accepted tuition and training for social work, social auxiliary work, child and youth care work or auxiliary child and youth care work in the country concerned; and/or
- submit, if deemed necessary by the SACSSP, a portfolio of evidence be submitted and attend an assessment interview with the applicant who obtained his or her qualification(s) in a country outside the RSA.
All documents accompanying the above application that are not drawn up in English must be accompanied by a translation prepared by a sworn translator in English, as well as a certified copy of the original document, and the onus shall be on the applicant to have such document(s) so translated.
The following documents need to be obtained before submitting an application (as it needs to accompany the application).
Document related to the qualification:
Certified copy of qualification in social work, social auxiliary work, child and youth care work or auxiliary child and youth care work.
Academic record for all years of study towards your qualification.
SAQA certificate is obtainable from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for the academic benchmarking of your existing qualification obtained outside South Africa. The purpose of the SAQA benchmarking is to determine if the existing qualification is equal or higher than the minimum academic qualification required in South Africa. This process is the responsibility of the applicant.
Documents related to the applicant’s fitness to practice
A recent police clearance certificate from the country of origin/ where you obtained your qualification.
Documented proof that the applicant was allowed to practice as a social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care worker or auxiliary child and youth care worker in the country of origin.
A valid residency permit, if not a South African citizen.
A valid South African work permit, if not a South African citizen.
Employment history record of the last three (3) employers, if you were employed after obtaining your qualification.
Statutory body registration
Documented proof of your registration from the statutory body (Professional Council) for your profession in the country where your studied or worked prior to entering South Africa if such registration was required.
Please see Steps for Registration before proceeding with the application process.