There are three fee components that apply to all applications:

• Application fee (once only)
• National Coordinated Criminal History Check Fee (once only)
• Annual certificate of registration fee.

For Provisional registration (Practice Experience Pathway and Qualification Experience Pathway) and Limited Registration there is an additional assessment fee (see below).

Application Fee

An application fee is required only once at the time of initial application, or if your registration lapses and you are re-applying for registration. This fee is for processing your application, reviewing your documents and setting up your individual application information in our digital registration portal.

Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) Fee

The Board must collect the fee prescribed by the National Police Checking Service (NPCS) for the conduct of a NCCHC for each application (as stated in the Act). The fee covers the expenses charged by the NPCS.

Annual Certificate of Registration Fee

This is the document that shows you are legally able to practice as a social worker in South Australia, and it must be renewed annually. This fee supports the work of the Board, including checking compliance and conducting audits to ensure high professional standards are upheld.

Assessment fees

Assessment fees are charged to cover the additional administrative costs associated provisional and limited registration types. The assessment fee for the PEP covers the competency assessment to move from provisional registration to full registration. The assessment fee for the QEP and Limited Registration covers the assessment to determine eligibility against the registration criteria for those registration types.

Assessment fees are not refundable in the circumstance that you cannot successfully complete the requirements of the pathway.

The registration fee structure is still under development as the Government is committed to ensuring that any costs are fair and affordable.

The SWRB SA may adjust the payment of fees associated with registration if an individual is deemed to be in financial hardship.

SWRB defines financial hardship in accordance with the following definition provided by the Australian Tax Office:

You’re considered to be in financial hardship when unable to provide the following for yourself, your family,* or other dependents:

• food
• accommodation
• clothing
• medical treatment
• education, and/ or
• other basic necessities.

This can be as a result of an unexpected event or unforeseen changes outside your control.

*The SWRB SA interprets that kinship responsibilities and other diverse family compositions (not just a person’s nuclear family) are captured within the use of the word ‘family’ within the ATO definition.”

Applicants must provide details of their circumstances with respect to this definition to demonstrate that they meet the criteria for financial hardship.

Applicants must pay the application fee in full, and on approval by SWRB, the applicant will be entitled to a 50% reduction in the fee for their registration certificate.

An individual must complete a statutory declaration which has been validly witnessed according to the guidelines published by the Attorney-General’s Department. A request for consideration of financial hardship must be submitted to the SWRB before the individual’s application is finalised as SWRB cannot apply a reduction in fees retrospectively. However, an applicant may be eligible for a refund on other grounds specified in Part 3.2.

SWRB will confirm in writing with the applicant the payment amount.

SWRB expects that most considerations for financial hardship will only apply to the current registration period and be once-off for an applicant. SWRB will consider a consecutive consideration of financial hardship on a case-by-case basis, however further supporting evidence may need to be collected.

An approval for consideration of financial hardship does not guarantee an approval for an application of registration.

You will be required to make an application for renewal one month before the expiry of your registration.

You will receive advanced email reminders when your annual fees fall due. Updates and additional information will also be available on the SWRB SA website.

Fees must be paid the SWRB Portal.

When you renew your certificate of registration online, you will also be asked to confirm that you remain a fit and proper person to practice and have disclosed any relevant ethical, health, or legal concerns.

You will also confirm that you have completed continuing professional development (CPD), supervision, and any other conditions on your registration.

Your certificate of registration reflects your commitment to maintaining professional standards.