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
Social Workers Registration Information Session
Video link: https://youtu.be/SeghiCuMysI
26 July 2024
We have created an online version of the information sessions to update the sector on the work of the Social Workers Registration Board. Once you have watched this presentation, if you have any questions, please see our FAQ section on the website.
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 Kerry Beck, Deputy Presiding Member
Ms Beck has had senior management experience as a senior public sector manager of over 300 people, including nearly 200 Social Workers. Ms Beck has worked in the University sector and has a sound understanding of the Social Work Code of Ethics and the Social Work Practice Standards. She also has extensive experience in the design and implementation of service systems that adhere to relevant regulatory frameworks. Ms Beck has chaired several high-level Government Committees and was awarded 2023 South Australia Social Worker of the Year.
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.
Ms Sarah Macdonald, Social Work Member
Ms Macdonald has extensive experience in social work, including as the current Director, Social Work Department, Central Adelaide Local Health Network. Ms Macdonald also has experience as an academic within the schools of Social Work and Allied Health Practice & Science. Ms Macdonald has extensive experience as a member of governing boards for incorporated community organisations and management committees.
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).
We recommend people read these questions and answers in conjunction with the Social Workers Registration Act 2021.
Fees
- How much will it cost practitioners to register?
Fees have not been determined. When the figures are finalised, the fees will need to be approved by the Board and then Treasury.
The fees must be an amount which can cover the cost of operating a regulatory body, whilst maintaining consistency with similar regulatory agencies, and accounting for the average salary of social workers will be factored.
AASW
- 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 within the social scopes of practice, with South Australian service users then you must be registered. This is a legislated requirement.
- What about contractors that must have AASW for insurance purposes, or those with AASW credentials, such as Mental Health Social Worker accreditation? Will the SWRB SA ever take on these functions?
If you require access to any of the services or benefits offered by the AASW to their members, then you should consider your membership with them separately to registration.
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.
- Will social workers who are members of the AASW, or hold an AASW credential be required to complete additional CPD?
SWRB SA intends to maintain alignment with the AASW requirements, and the CPD completed for the AASW membership will be eligible towards registration.
Registration and Eligibility
- Are there more prescriptive resources or tools to determine who must register, and what applicants must provide to the Board to gain registration?
The Board is currently in the process of creating the regulations and policies which will provide further definition on eligibility and the registration process. These regulations and policies will likely be published early next year.
In general, if you hold a qualification in social work and you are working in the social services sector or you are working within the social work scopes of practice, you must register from the 1st of July 2025.
Please keep up to date on our website or through our mailing list as we publish more information and guidelines to inform yourself whether your qualification or current job role make you eligible to register and how to register.
- What qualifications will be eligible are accredited for the purposes of registration?
The SWRB SA intends to accept and endorse the list of accredited programs from the AASW.
- What if I have a qualification in social work but I am working in an administrative, project, managerial or academic stream, or other employment setting?
If you are working in the social services sector using the knowledge and skills gained through your qualification in social work even in an administrative, project, managerial, or academic capacity then you will be required to register.
If you are working outside the social services sector, then you do not need to register.
- What if a staff member falls within the scopes of practice, but is registered by another body (for example, Financial Counsellor, Clinical Nurse)?
There will be elements that have similar tasks and duties to different professions, we are expecting this, these people mostly will not fit as a social work position. Some may be doing a role that is clearly a social work role or is titled social work and we will need to work with organisations to make sure that this is clear. In short, if they are being registered by another body, within their scope of practice this is good practice.
- What happens if you do not register?
All qualified social workers undertaking social work within the scope of practice will be required to be registered by law. From the 1st of July 2025, registration with the SWRB SA is mandatory, and fines will be applicable. The Social Workers Registration Act 2021 outlines the consequences for failing to comply with the registration requirement.
Part 4—Registration, of the Social Workers Registration Act 2021, 24 states
Requirement to be registered
A person must not, on or after the prescribed day, undertake social work services unless—
(a) the person is registered as a social worker under this Act; and
(b) the services undertaken by the person are within the terms of their individual scope of practice (authorised under section 29). Maximum penalty: $5 000.A person must not engage another person to undertake social work services unless the other person is registered as a social worker under this Act. Maximum penalty: $10 000.
In this section— prescribed day means—
(a) the day falling 6 months after the day on which this section comes into operation; or
(b) if a later day is prescribed by regulation for the purposes of this definition—that day.
- How will the scope of practice affect highly experienced staff in ‘social work like roles’? In the NGO sector, many staff meet competency criteria determined by policy and have been practicing for many years but do not hold a formal degree.
The SWRB SA has been directed by the legislation to provide an experience pathway for staff who have been practising social work for many years, and bring high-level skills, knowledge, and cultural authority to the profession. Further details how the eligibility and process of the experience pathway will be available in late 2024.
Penalties and Disciplinary Proceedings
- Legally, if there is a Deed of Release as part of a termination due to gross misconduct – how does this impact the reporting of this to the Board?
Part 7 - Investigations and proceedings of the Social Workers Registration Act 2021, 44 states:
Employer to report dismissal etc for unprofessional conduct.
If the employer of a registered social worker dismisses the social worker in response to allegations of unprofessional conduct or accepts the resignation of the social worker following allegations of unprofessional conduct, the employer must, within 7 days, submit a written report to the Board—
(a) describing the circumstances of the dismissal or resignation; and
(b) containing all other prescribed information. Maximum penalty: $5 000.A person incurs no liability by making a report purportedly in compliance with this section in good faith.
- What do the scheme’s investigative powers look like and what is the threshold for reporting misconduct?
It will probably be easiest for people to read Part 7—Investigations and proceedings of the Social Workers Registration Act 2021 as there is a great deal of detail.
- Will the scheme impose restrictions/conditions on social worker’s registrations, depending on the misconduct? If so, what is the obligation on the employer and how do they source this information?
This is all covered in Part 7—Investigations and proceedings.
- What happens if someone is found to be working as a social worker or within the scopes of practice and they are not registered?
Per the Act, this is considered ‘holding yourself out’ as a social worker and there are penalties associated. Workplaces and organisations can also be penalised for holding out employees as social workers. Please see Part 6 – Offences, Section 36 – Holding out as being registered.
Experience Pathway
- What information can you provide about the experience pathway?
The policies and regulations associated with the experience pathway must be determined by the Board and undergo the drafting and gazettal process with Parliamentary Counsel. Once this has been published, the SWRB SA will be able to assist applicants to undertake the experience pathway to become registered social workers.
The SWRB SA is developing the pathway with careful consideration to maintain the confidence in formal social work qualifications, and with respect the context of social work practice in South Australia.
International Qualifications/English Language Requirements
- How the SWRB SA register applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds, or who hold international qualifications?
SWRB SA intends to endorse the English Language Policy of the AASW and accept their migration eligibility assessments of international qualifications. Please see their website to read their current requirements.
- Will I have to complete an IELTS test to register with the SWRB SA?
The SWRB SA will provide further clarification on what information must be provided by applicants in for their registration as it is determined by the Board.
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.
Industrial Concerns
- Given the diversity of what Social Work entail, how will CPD points be recognised and applied to trainings?
This is another area that is yet to be determined. SWRB SA will determine an amount compulsory CPD to support the career development of social workers and enhance the profession. This will be audited by the SWRB SA.
In the first instance we will be guided by what AASW have in place as a model. We are interested in having more consultation with the sector about this.
- How are NGO impacts and issues going to be considered? For example, the potential cost implications, AWARD and Union.
We are very aware of the impact on the NGO sector, and we are conscious of this being an issue in other jurisdictions. 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 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 very aware of the legislation and expressed support for the legislation from their membership as they see it as uplifting the status of the profession and protecting vulnerable people in the future.
- Will there be nationwide registration for social workers?
The South Australian Government and the Australian Association of Social Workers will continue to engage other jurisdictions with a view to building support for a national approach in the future.
The South Australian Government’s engagement with other jurisdictions is being led by the Director for the Social Workers Registration Board.
To prepare for any future transition to a national scheme – perhaps through the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) and the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – the South Australian Scheme will use policies, procedures and systems that are as consistent as possible with the registration and accreditation approach used by NRAS and AHPRA.
- What will the supervision requirements be for registered social workers?
Registered social workers will be subject to a prescribed amount of supervision for the CPD requirements. This will need to be considered by organisations who employ registered social workers in administrative, project, and managerial streams, and organisations in regional areas.
Consultation Now Live!
The Scope of Practice and Social Work Services Consultation is now live, and we are committed to hearing the views from the diverse social work representatives.
If you would like to participate, please contact us on at e: swrb@sa.gov.au and we can forward you the link.
The consultation is open from the 9th August to the 6th September and we look forward to hearing your feedback.
In the meantime, you can view our video about the consultation and companion document here:
Welcome and Information for Consultation
Other Documents for reference are: