Social Work Jobs in South Africa

- - Lecturer in Social Work - (1473) at University of Venda
  - Job Requirements A Master’s degree in Social Work. Minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience at a tertiary institution or at least five (5) years of relevant professional experie
  - - 11 February Limpopo
- - Social Work Manager: Residential Care Centre Management (De Novo), Ref No. DSD 01/2026 at Western Cape Social Development
  - Minimum Requirements Formal tertiary qualification in Social Work (e.g. Bachelor of Social Work) that allows professional registration with the South African Council for Socia
  - - 10 February Western Cape
- - Social Work Supervisor Grade 1 REF NO: FSNC 2026/01/34 at South African Department of Correctional Services
  - REQUIREMENTS : BA degree in Social Work and seven (7) years relevant experience in social work after registration with the South African Council for Social Services Profession (SACSSP). C
  - - 09 February Northern Cape and 1 other locations
- - Lecturer: Social Work in Forensic Practice (nGAP) (P003267) (Re-Advertisement) at North West University
  - KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Teaching and learning, including higher degree supervision Engaged teaching and learning on both under- and post graduate levels: Develop study material, facilitat
  - - 02 February North West
- - Social Work Manager Grade 1 Ngaka Modiri Molema District and Bojanala District Ref No: SD/ 01/4/25/E (X2 Posts) at North West: Department Of Human Settlements
  - REQUIREMENTS : Grade 12. An appropriate recognized Bachelor’s degree in Social Worker. A minimum of 10 years' recognizable experience in Social Work. Current proof of registration wi
  - - 20 January North West
- - Associate Professor in Social Work - (A803.1) at University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
  - Job Primary Purpose The main purpose of this position is to teach, research, engage with the community and perform administrative duties pertaining to Social Work. The position requires teaching
  - - 08 January Mpumalanga
- - University Degree in Social Work at Life Healthcare
  - A vacancy exists for an unemployed University graduate in Social Work in support of HWSETA to participate in a Learnership project based at Life Health Solutions, Dunkeld Randburg, Gaut
  - - 25 December, 2025 Gauteng and 1 other locations
- - Social Work Intern at Life Healthcare
  - A vacancy exists for an unemployed University graduate in Social Work in support of HWSETA to participate in a Learnership project based at Life Health Solutions, Dunkeld Randburg, Gaut
  - - 25 December, 2025 Gauteng
- - Social Work Specialist at Nurture Health
  - ABOUT THE ROLE The Social Work Specialist is a head-office (remote-first) social work expert who empowers evidence-based social work within Nurture’s hospitals by writing and improving soc
  - - 15 December, 2025 All
- - Social Work Supervisor (Witzenberg SDA), Ref No. DSD 91/2025 at Western Cape Social Development
  - Job Purpose The Department of Social Development, Western Cape Government has opportunity for a suitably qualified and competent individual to ensure that social work services
  - - 24 November, 2025 Western Cape
- - Social Work Policy Developer: Services to Families, Ref No. DSD 36/2025 R1 at Western Cape Social Development
  - Job Purpose The Department of Social Development, Western Cape Government has an opportunity for a suitably qualified and competent Social Work Policy Developer to develop, im
  - - 24 November, 2025 Western Cape

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Career Advice

Social work is a vast career on its own. It includes several types of professionals that focus on aiding individuals, families, small groups and even communities to improve their lives. They do this by encouraging them to overcome challenges and enhance social functioning and they also advocate for the overall well-being of the individual or community. Most times, individuals in social work help their clients by providing therapy sessions, education, and counselling, and also connecting them to both private and public resources. Social work jobs are often for those who have a strong passion to improve the lives and well-being of people they encounter.

Social workers are usually found in mental health clinics, hospitals, settlement houses, community development corporations, schools, child welfare and human service agencies and private practices. They generally work full-time as people are always in need of their services and may sometimes need to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. With the demands of the job, a caring demeanour will be needed for anyone who wants to be a social worker.

However, in 2003, social work was declared a scarce but critical profession by the South African government. As much as the availability of social workers has increased over the years, South Africa is still short of about 52 500 social workers and still needs about 70 000 social workers in the country to meet the standard of the Children’s Amendment Bill (CAB). Locked up in this demand is the need for 5 000 social workers to implement substance abuse legislation and 3 000 to implement the Older Person’s Act.

Some of the skills they may require are:

Patience and the ability to remain calm in a crisis
Empathy
Resilience
Flexibility to adapt to new roles, tasks and situations
Initiative
Good communication and listening skills
Emotional Intelligence

To be a professional social worker, some of the qualifications include

A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a Related Field (Having a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or MSW-Equivalent Program is always a huge plus)
Complete Fieldwork Hour Requirements
ASWB Examination and Certification
State Social Work Licensure

Currently, an average social worker in South Africa earns about R 257 000 annually.