Refugee officer

What does a Refugee Caseworker do? – Tasks and work environment

A Refugee Caseworker handles cases concerning asylum seekers and individuals with refugee status. Tasks include investigating, assessing, and making decisions about residence permits, as well as providing support and guidance to individuals and families throughout the asylum process. Contact with authorities, the judiciary, and various societal agencies is central, as is documentation and follow-up of cases. The role requires both independent work and collaboration with colleagues within social services and migration authorities. The work environment is often office-based but can also involve meetings outside the office, such as at accommodations or in cooperation with other actors. The pace can sometimes be very high, especially during changes in legislation or increased refugee flows.

Salary development over time

The salary for Refugee Caseworkers has shown a stable and positive development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 37,500 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 38 800 SEK, corresponding to a salary increase of about 3.5%. By 2024, the average salary has continued to rise to 40 300 SEK, an additional increase of over 3.8%. This trend reflects a growing demand for expertise in the field, partly due to changing migration patterns and an increased focus on legal certainty and quality in case handling. The salary development can also be explained by increased requirements for education and experience, as well as competition for experienced caseworkers within the public sector.

Refugee Caseworker salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 40 300 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 34,800 SEK/month (man), 37,300 SEK/month (woman)
• Highest salary: 51,400 SEK/month (man), 54,300 SEK/month (woman)
• Hourly wage: 242 SEK
• Gender differences: Women earn 102% of men's salary (40 400 SEK/month for women, 39 500 SEK/month for men)
• Regional differences: Specific regional data is lacking, but variation may occur depending on municipality and employer.

Education and qualifications

Refugee Caseworkers typically hold a university degree in social sciences, law, or social work. For positions within the public sector, a social worker degree or equivalent is often required, supplemented with courses in migration law or asylum procedures. Practical experience from government work, case handling, or social work is highly meritorious, as are language skills beyond Swedish and English.

• Formal education: Social worker degree or a bachelor's in social sciences (3–3.5 years)
• Additional courses: Migration law, administrative law, asylum and integration issues
• Internships: Internships within social services, the Swedish Migration Agency, or similar authorities
• Prerequisites: Experience in investigation work and government contacts
• Language skills: Multilingual abilities are advantageous, especially in Arabic, Dari, or Tigrinya

Common benefits and compensations

Refugee Caseworkers within the public sector are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, and generous holiday policies. Other common benefits include flexitime, remote work options, skills development, and support for further education and supervision. Some employers also provide compensation for unsocial hours and extra vacation days based on tenure.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a Refugee Caseworker is generally balanced but can vary depending on the region and current societal issues. Challenges in the profession often involve high caseloads, rapid legislative changes, and demands for legal certainty. High stress tolerance and decision-making ability based on both law and individual circumstances are required. The job can be emotionally demanding, especially when handling difficult or sensitive cases. At the same time, there are good opportunities for development and specialization within the field, especially for those who are engaged and willing to take responsibility.

Tips for those aspiring to become a Refugee Caseworker

To succeed as a Refugee Caseworker, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with a high degree of empathy. Engaging early in internships or summer jobs within social work helps build experience and understanding of government processes. Precision is essential to ensure decisions are based on correct grounds and documented properly. A communicative and attentive approach facilitates collaboration with colleagues and clients, and language skills beyond Swedish and English are a significant asset. Keeping up-to-date with legislative changes is important for managing complex cases, and a solution-oriented mindset makes it easier to handle pressurized situations. Finally, the ability to work independently and take responsibility for one's cases is highly valued by employers in the field.

Key facts about Refugee Caseworkers

• Educational level: University degree, usually in social work
• Work environment: Office-based, often within the public sector
• Demand: Medium, with increasing needs over the next five years
• Number of vacancies: 237 within the profession
• Special skills: Migration law, multilingualism, investigative experience

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Refugee Caseworker, there are opportunities to advance to specialist roles in migration law, coordinators, or unit managers within social services or the Swedish Migration Agency. Some choose to further their education to become lawyers or work with integration at a strategic level. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, the job market for social workers—the profession group that Refugee Caseworkers belong to—is balanced but expected to improve with increasing demand over the next five years. There are good opportunities for growth within the profession, especially for those who develop specialized expertise in legislation, languages, or leadership.

Common questions about Refugee Caseworkers

• What does a Refugee Caseworker earn?
  - A Refugee Caseworker has an average salary of 40 300 SEK per month.
• Are there salary differences between men and women?
  - Yes, women earn on average 40 400 SEK and men 39 500 SEK, which means women earn 102% of men's salaries.
• What education is required to become a Refugee Caseworker?
  - Typically, a degree in social work or a comparable university education in social sciences or law is required.
• What is the job market like for Refugee Caseworkers?
  - The job market is assessed to be balanced, with medium opportunities and increasing demand in the future.
• What does a Refugee Caseworker do in their daily work?
  - They investigate and process cases related to asylum seekers and provide support during the asylum process.
• What are the most common benefits?
  - Occupational pension, wellness allowance, flexitime, and skills development are common benefits.
• How has the salary development been over time?
  - Salaries have increased from 37,500 SEK in 2022 to 40 300 SEK in 2024, indicating a steady upward trend.