ABOUT MEMBERSHIP
Please click on the following links to visit the relevant sections on Membership:
The Association offers various types of membership to individuals who are generally interested in the issues and topics we focus our efforts on and who are dedicated enough to participate and make a difference. Please refer below for the membership pre-requisites:
Membership Types
(a) Ordinary Membership - Ordinary membership is granted by application to applicants who possess professional qualification in Social Work recognised by the Association, attained a period of Social Work practice acceptable to the Association and are currently employed / residing in Singapore. Ordinary Members are able to register with the Association as a "Registered Social Workers"
(b) Provisional Membership - Provisional membership is granted for up to one year by application to applicants who do not yet qualify for Ordinary Membership but who possess professional qualifications in Social Work OR have passed examinations in Social Work recognised by the Association AND are engaged in Social Work Practice to the satisfaction of the EXCO / Registration Board. Provisional member shall be exempted from paying the entrance fee when they qualify for Ordinary membership.
(c) Associate Membership - Associate membership is granted by application to applicants who do not qualify for Ordinary membership but holds qualifications at the tertiary level (minimum of a bachelor degree recognized by the Association) AND are currently engaged in positions within the social and/or mental health services.
(d) Student Membership - Student membership is granted by application to Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents who are undergoing an Association recognised course of professional Social Work Training locally or overseas OR Association recognised Social Work course of Study. Student members shall be exempted from paying the entrance fee when they qualify for Provisional or Ordinary membership upon graduation.
Additional Special Membership Categories
(a) Honorary Membership - Conferred by the Association to an individual who does not possess any social work qualification but who has nonetheless rendered outstanding service to the social work profession.
(b) Fellow - Conferred by the Association to any person who is a full member or qualifies to be so and who has rendered outstanding service to the social work profession.
(c) Life Membership - Life membership was offered prior to 28 June 2003, to persons who have held full membership for an uninterrupted 8-year period. A person who was a Life Member as of 28 June 2003 continues to be a Life Member of the Association until the death of such Life Member. No person shall be eligible to apply for Life Membership on or after 28 June 2003.
Currently, the Association offers 4 types of membership which are open for application:
In line with the Association's effort to encourage membership and registration and following feedback from members, please be informed that the reinstatement fee of S$20 will be waived for members whose membership have lapsed for (i) groups of 10 applications or more and (ii) application made between 15 August 2005 and 31 December 2005.
Membership fee for retired social workers, aged 62 and above will be reduced to half, with relevant administration fee for reinstatement or new applications still remain payable.
Please note that our membership cycle of 2 years commences on April of the Association's financial year on every odd year and ends on 31 March 2 years later e.g. April 2004 - Mar 2006. According to SASW's Constitution 2003, Point 6.2(b), all subscriptions shall be reduced to half rate for new application and reinstatement of Ordinary, Associate and Student membership during an even year #.
Fee Schedule for Ordinary, Associate and Student Membership
| Financial Year | Month | Subscription Payable | Membership Valid Till | Financial Year | Month | Subscription Payable | Membership Valid Till | |
| 2005 /
2006
(Odd) |
April 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | 2006 / 2007
(Even) |
April 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |
| May 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | May 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| June 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | June 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| July 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | July 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| August 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | August 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| September 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | September 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| October 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | October 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| November 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | November 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| December 2005 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | December 2006 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| January 2006 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | January 2007 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| February 2006 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | February 2007 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | |||
| March 2006 | $120 / $10 (Student) | 31 March 2007 | March 2007 | $60 / $5 (Student) | 31 March 2007 |
Fee Schedule for Provisional Membership
| Financial Year | Month | Subscription Payable | Membership Valid Till | Financial Year | Month | Subscription Payable | Membership Valid Till | |
| 2005 / 2006
(Odd) |
April 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | 2006 / 2007
(Even) |
April 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |
| May 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | May 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| June 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | June 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| July 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | July 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| August 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | August 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| September 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | September 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| October 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | October 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| November 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | November 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| December 2005 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | December 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| January 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | January 2007 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| February 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | February 2007 | $60 | 31 March 2007 | |||
| March 2006 | $60 | 31 March 2006 | March 2007 | $60 | 31 March 2007 |
According to the SASW Constitution, all subscriptions will be reduced to half rate for new applications, renewal and reinstatement of membership and registration received during an even year.
However, as the 2-year membership and registration cycle took effect only in 2004 (middle of the financial year 2003/2005), members who submitted their applications / renewals / reinstatments in the year 2004 will have their membership and registration expire in the middle of the next financial year (2005/2007). As such, their 1st renewal will be in 2006 and thereafter be synchronized to the financial year i.e. they will renew for a year and have their 2nd renewal in 2007. i.e. members who sign up between April 2004 and March 2005 will have their membership and registration expire on 31 March 2006 and will have their 2nd renewal in 2007.
According to our constitution, RSWs will have to fulfil CPE requirements starting from the 2nd renewal i.e. they have to demonstrate that they have fulfilled CPE requirements for 2006-2007 in 2007.
Members shall be entitled to the following benefits:
Special rates for SASW organised training, workshops and seminars
Members-only training, seminars and discussion groups
FRTC Resource Centre Membership
Usage of title “RSW” (Registered Social Worker) after name for Registered Social Workers
Opportunities to be involved in special task groups addressing social issues and representing the profession to policy makers and the public
Access to SASW Members' Web Community
Right to vote and hold office within the Association for Fellows, Life and Ordinary members
Receive our newsletter and publication “Social Dimension”
Access to information on job opportunities, events in the social service field and networking
Eligible for SASW scholarships, training grants and subsidies
For most members, the intangible benefit of being able to meet, interact and network with fellow social workers and professionals who have common interests and the hope to further the common cause and at the same time stay in touch with developments in the social work scene is a valuable asset.
For a full list of membership benefits, please refer to the Association.
As a Professional Association, SASW is ran with reference to the Constitution and By-Laws established and approved by the Registrar of Societies. You may review the Constitution and By-Laws here:
Similarly, members of the Association also abide by a Code of Professional Ethics which governs and guides social work practice. You may review the Code here:
A comprehensive disciplinary inquiry and appeals system has also been developed to address complaints against possible breach of the Code of Professional Ethics or any Standards of Practice established by the Association.
To join, simply download the application form:
have it completed and returned to the Association through mail together with (i) payment of membership fee (including S$20 entrance / reinstatement fee), (ii) relevant documentations, and (iii) a recent passport photo to:
Membership Chair
Singapore Association of Social Workers
Block 324 Clementi Avenue 5
#01-209
Singapore 120324
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or to obtain a copy of the application form. Alternatively you may also apply online using our Online Membership / Registration Application System and send (i) - (iii) to the address above.
Seeking Clarifications about Membership
Please do not hesitate to contact our Membership and Registration Standing Committee at membership@sasw.org.sg for further clarification and assistance.
