Ensuring higher standards of conduct and accountability
On the 28 September 2023, the State Government introduced into Parliament the Social Workers Registration (Commencement) Amendment Bill 2023, setting the commencement date, 1 July 2025, if not commenced earlier by Proclamation.
When commenced, the legislation will require all social workers in South Australia to be registered in order to practice.
The introduction of a Social Workers Registration scheme was supported by the South Australian Government on the basis that the registration of social workers will have a range of benefits including improved public safety, higher standards of conduct and accountability through the provision of accessible mechanisms for complaints and review and improved professional development opportunities for people within the profession.
A copy of the Social Workers Registration Act can be found here
Annual Report
The Social Workers Registration Board has been operational for 12 months. Our annual report details the background to the establishment of the SWRB, Board appointment, staff appointments, work of the Board, stakeholder engagement and consultation, timeline, vision and values.
Read our Annual Report
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You can view our March Newsletter here
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Archive Newsletters
October 2024
We are pleased to provide our video update for October 2024 from our Director Sarah Wendt.
18th July 2024
Social Work Registration Information Sessions
Information Session with SA Health
Our Director Sarah Wendt and Principal Policy Officer Louise Butler have been delivering information sessions about Social Worker Registration both face to face and online. The sessions have been well attended generating lively discussion and insightful questions from the government sector, tertiary sectors and non-government sector. We are continuing to deliver information sessions until the end around the end of July 2024 (with a few still in August 2024), and at this time we will have an online version available on the website. If your organisation would like us to deliver a n information session, please get in contact at swrb@sa.gov.au to request a time.
Please see our FAQ section on the website or any questions you may have on the website which is updated regularly.
If you would like to view the presentation it is here:
20th March 2024
World Social Work Day breakfast
Professor Sarah Wendt, inaugural Director of the Social Workers Registration scheme, spoke at the World Social Work Day breakfast hosted by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) on 19th March 2024. The event's theme, "Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change," resonated with the task of establishing the first Social Workers Registration Board in Australia, with South Australia leading the implementation.
Professor Wendt shared insights into the progress and significance of the Social Workers Registration scheme and highlighted the focus on safeguarding the public interest, encouraging high professional standards, and ensuring the accountability of registered social workers.
The event was a wonderful occasion to celebrate and acknowledge the dedication of social workers and an opportunity for attendees to come together, reflect on their shared commitment to social work, and reaffirm their dedication to making a positive impact on individuals and communities.
Board members
Dr Carmela Bastian, Presiding Member
Dr Bastian has extensive practice and senior management experience in social work, regulatory frameworks, and compliance requirements. She recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Governance and Risk Management and was recently appointed as a board member of the Accreditation Council for the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Dr Bastian is an academic at Flinders University and her social work research in is known internationally and informs her teaching of social work students. She is a current member of the Child Death and Serious Injury Review Committee (CDSIRC) in South Australia.
Ms Nicole Lancaster, Legal Member
Ms Lancaster has a Double Degree in Laws/Legal Practice (Honours) and Behavioural Science (Psychology). Ms Lancaster has a career history working with social workers, including her current position as Manager, Legal Services with DCP. Ms Lancaster has an in depth understanding of State Government, including the processes and systems required to implement the Government’s priorities.
Ms Jane Mussared, Social Work Member
Ms Mussared was most recently an Advisor with the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. She has also been the Chief Executive of the Council on the Ageing in South Australia (COTA SA) and a senior executive with a not-for-profit aged care provider. Jane has served on a number of boards and advisory committees at a state and federal level. Jane has a master’s degree in social work (majoring in social policy and research) from the University of Michigan and has worked in a wide range of social work and leadership roles in state government and the not-for-profit sector.
Mr Ruka Taite, Social Work Member
Mr Taite has extensive experience in social work, including working with people from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. Mr Taite is an indigenous man from New Zealand with strong bicultural connections to local and interstate Aboriginal leaders. It is anticipated that Mr Taite’s cultural connections will assist the SWRB to engage with a diverse range of people from Aboriginal groups and communities.
Ms Jodie Stevens, Community Member
Ms Stevens is the representative of the general community of South Australia and has extensive experience, including in her current role as the Manager, People & Culture at the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council. Ms Stevens is a proud descendent of the Wiradjuri people who is committed to building capability and creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within South Australia and interstate. Ms Stevens has had previous experience as a Board member with the Zahra Foundation, Australia and is a current Board member with Women’s Safety Services SA and Headstart Homes.
Key team members
The team is responsible for the development and implementation of the scheme, including setting up the Office, recruiting staff, engaging a Registrar and facilitating the appointment of a Board.
Professor Sarah Wendt, Director
A social work expert with a strong national and international reputation, commenced in the role of Director for the Social Workers Registration Scheme on 18 September 2023. She has practised as a social worker in the field of domestic and family violence and has been an academic and teacher of social work practice for nearly 20 years at Flinders University and the University of South Australia, with published research on violence against women and children. Sarah was also recently appointed as Professor of Social Work at the University of Melbourne.
Louise Butler, Principal Policy and Project Officer
Has over thirty years' experience as a social worker with a Bachelor of Social Work, and she also has a Master of Public Policy and Management. Louise has worked significantly in Child Protection and the Disability sector and worked in the UK as a social worker for a combined total of five years. Louise was the first Director of Behaviour Support in South Australia for the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NQSC) which gave her unique experience in a Commonwealth Regulatory body. Louise has worked for both UniSA and Flinders University teaching in social work and has also operated as a private practitioner social worker and understands the unique considerations in this area for registration.
Hayley Anderson, Principal Project Officer
Brings a wealth of experience spanning diverse sectors, with a proven track record in senior administration and operations. As the Senior Research Support Officer at the SWIRLS Research Centre at Flinders University, she has demonstrated skills in managing multifaceted responsibilities, including operations, governance, finance, and administration. Her experience includes overseeing budgets, developing strategic plans, and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs).
These FAQ's are based on the currently available information from the SWRB.
The SWRB is working through the policies and processes for registration to commence in July 2025. When further information becomes available, we will publish on the website in Latest News.
We recommend people read these questions and answers in conjunction with the Social Workers Registration Act 2021.
When will the final definition of social work services and the Scope of Practice be published?
The definition of social work services and the social work Scope of Practice are currently before government.
The definition and the scope have been through many rounds of consultation with people in the sector, employers, peak bodies and unions across the Government, Non-Government, and private practice sectors. This feedback has been integral to determining an appropriate social work services definition and scope of practice.
What is the difference between the definition of the scope of practice and social work services?
The Scope of Practice describes the broad work performed by social workers. The Board has determined one general Scope of Practice to capture the diversity of social work.
Social Work Services is a narrow definition of work that sits in the Scope of Practice. It is work only a registered social worker can undertake.
It is a narrow definition because it is specific work that is high risk, whereby the public would reasonably expect someone undertaking such work has professional training and expertise (qualification) to do it; hence such work requires regulation.
When do I need to register?
SWRB SA will take applications for registration from 1 July 2025.
Per the legislation, the prescribed day is 1 January 2026 when the requirement to be registered is legally enforceable.
People who are eligible for an alternative form of registration or pathway will have additional time after 1 January 2026 to ensure smooth transition to registration.
How much will it cost to register?
The fee figures are before Government for approval and will be published on our website and newsletter as soon as we can make them publicly available. The fee structure has been carefully considered by Treasury with consideration given to the average remuneration for a social worker alongside the cost of operating the scheme. The figures have also been benchmarked to other similar regulated professions.
How do I register?
SWRB SA will take applications for registration online.
From 1 July 2025, you will be able to create an account using a MySAGov or MyID account and submit an application for registration using our website.
In general, you will need:
- Identity documents,
- consent for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC)
- SA Working with Children Check
- Proof of your social work qualification
- Documentation of positive assessment or recognition for an overseas qualification, or proof of registration with SWRB NZ (if applicable)
- IELTS test or AASW Migration Eligibility Assessment for evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- A current CV
- Fit and Proper declaration
SWRB SA will be sharing more detailed guidance on how to submit an application for registration on our website soon.
Why do I need a MySAGov or MyID account?
To create an account in the SWRB Portal, you must use a MySAGov or MyID account with multi-factor authentication. This is a cybersecurity requirement in line with the South Australian Cyber Security Framework. You are not required to verify your identity beyond the basic level to create an account with the SWRB Portal.
The SWRB Portal is compliant with all relevant digital identity legislation, and these providers have been chosen because they align with the digital strategy of the South Australian Government and they uphold strict requirements for privacy protection, security, usability, accessibility, risk management, and fraud control.
Using either digital identity provider ensures a robust central identity infrastructure to maintain high security to access government services. This enables users to hold one account across multiple services to keep their personal information protected against fraud.
How will the SWRB SA register applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds, or who hold international qualifications? Will I have to complete an IELTS test to register with the SWRB SA?
SWRB SA intends to endorse the English Language Policy of the AASW and accept their migration eligibility assessments of international qualifications.
If you have completed an IELTS test to gain entrance for migration or visa purposes, or for AASW membership – please ensure you have copies of your results as you may need to provide the documentation to us.
What are the approved qualifications granting eligibility for registration?
Per the Social Workers Registration Act 2021, SWRB SA will approve qualifications that have been accredited by the AASW. See here.
In addition to the qualification, applicants will have to meet all other eligibility criteria to gain registration with SWRB SA.
What happens if I do not have a social work degree?
SWRB will have transitional strategies as registration is first implemented from July. SWRB has developed these strategies with consultation from Government and non-Government organisations to address concerns about the workforce and job security for their employees.
The Social Workers Registration Act also specifies that there will be a pathway to registration for people who have a significant experience practising social work.
Further details about these pathways or alternative options are currently before government and will be made available as soon as they can be published.
If you are eligible for an alternative, then there will be an extended grace period before you must be registered.
What is the difference between the AASW and the Social Workers Registration Board of SA?
The AASW is a voluntary membership professional association for social workers in Australia. They provide services such as advocacy, professional development, networking, and other resources to their members.
The Social Workers Registration Board of SA manages the mandatory registration of social workers in South Australia. If you are practising as a social worker or delivering social work services with South Australian service users, then you must be registered from 1 July 2025.
What about contractors that must have AASW for insurance purposes, or those with AASW credentials, such as Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSW) credential? Will the SWRB SA ever take on these functions?
The Social Workers Registration Board is an independent regulatory body which oversees the social work profession to protect the public. The SWRB SA will only ever be responsible for the regulatory functions of registration, investigation, and accreditation of education programs.
SWRB SA does not provide insurance and advises that you seek relevant professional or legal advice regarding insurance.
The Federal Government delegates the accreditation process for AMHSWs to the AASW by requiring AASW accreditation for Medicare billing eligibility. The authority for AMHSWs to access Medicare rebates is outlined in the Health Insurance (Allied Health Services) Determination 2021 and previous legislative instruments.
What are the CPD and Supervision requirements for registered social workers?
All SWRB SA registrants will be subject to a prescribed amount of supervision and CPD.
Further guidance on the requirements will be published in due course.
Please note that CPD completed for the AASW membership can also be logged with SWRB SA to meet the CPD and supervision requirements.
What do the scheme’s investigative powers look like and what is the threshold for reporting misconduct?
Please read Part 7—Investigations and proceedings of the Social Workers Registration Act 2021.
Will there be nationwide registration for social workers?
The Social Workers Registration Board SA supports the national registration of social workers and will contribute to the conversation in the sector.
How are NGO impacts and issues going to be considered? For example, the potential cost implications, AWARD and Union.
We are conscious that we want to uphold the legislation, enhance the sector, and not place unnecessary burden on the sector. As an Office during implementation, we are working on multiple pathways to registration and working closely with HR departments, Unions, and the Commissioner. Industrial awards and union issues are outside the remit of the SWRB.
Have the Union been consulted, what are their thoughts?
Yes, we have met with the PSU, ASU and NTEU and will continue to work with them. The unions are aware of the legislation and SWRB are committed to continuing to work with all relevant unions.
Consultation report now published!
The Social Work Services and Scope of Practice Consultation Report is now published.
This report is the summary of findings from the sector consultation conducted between the 6th of August and the 9th of September 2024.
The SWRB would like to thank the sector for taking the time to engage with this process and providing rich and insightful feedback.
Consultation Now Closed.
The Scope of Practice and Social Work Services Consultation is now closed.
The Social Workers Registration Board are very pleased to inform you that the Scope of Practice and Social Work Services consultation received 472 individual survey responses and 19 organisation submissions.
Thank you to those who contributed either individual submissions, or through your organisation.
The Board will take the coming month to thoroughly review and consider all the submissions in line with the requirements of the Social Workers Registration Act (2021).
Once the analysis process is complete, we will provide a report to the whole sector outlining the findings of the consultation.
Again, thank you for your contribution to this important process to move South Australia closer to Social Worker Registration, and we look forward to continuing to engage with the sector.