AASW - Australian Association of Social Workers

Most Recent Media Releases

Professional body for social workers welcomes 2013-2014 Budget

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) applauds the Australian Government for a budget that will increase support to people living with disabilities and which better targets family tax benefits to lower income families.

Acknowledging the Prime Minister’s Apology for Forced Adoption Practices
The AASW thanks the Prime Minister Julia Gillard for today recognising the harm and suffering caused by forced adoption practices. This Apology is an important gesture towards healing for the thousands of parents and their children who were separated as a result of past policies of governments and maternity institutions.

AASW response to the Joint Statement on ACOSS, ACTU and BCA Cooperation to tackle disadvantage
5 November 2012
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) strongly supports the joint statement released this week (Opportunity for All) from the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS), the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in relation to a collaborative approach to tackling disadvantage in the Australian community, with particular emphasis on workforce.

AASW raises concerns about anti-discrimination bill
22 November 2012

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) welcomes Attorney-General Nicola Roxon’s plan to consolidate national anti-discrimination laws. We agree that unfavourable treatment on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or disability is unacceptable and we support steps to strengthen legal protections against discrimination. The AASW is deeply concerned that the proposed legislative changes do not adequately address the exemptions that currently apply to religious organisations delivering community services.

Social workers achieve positive first step towards entry to National Registration and Accreditation Scheme
14 November 2012

Recording Professional Social Workers Opposition to Forced Adoption Practices
20 September 2012
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) wishes to acknowledge the loss and trauma experienced by the thousands of Australians harmed by forced adoption practices that occurred from the 1940s until the early 1980s.

Social Workers call on PM to rethink Discriminatory Treatment of Clients

29 August 2012

At the National Board meeting in Melbourne this weekend, the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) determined to request Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, to defer action to force 100,000 sole parents on parenting payments and on the ‘dole’ until the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and Senate Committees on Income Security have concluded their inquiries.

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Social Workers call for a Compassionate and Rational Asylum Seeker Policy
22 August 2012

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) represents the profession of social work in the Australian community and directly represents over 7000 members. The AASW strongly rejects the decision made by the Australian Government to re-open the Manus Island and Nauru detention centres.

Staff who Abused DHS Clients may still be Working with People with Disabilities
16 July 2012
Social Workers are concerned that the Department of Human Service (DHS) staff who were sacked for assault and other inappropriate behaviour are potentially still working with disabled and vulnerable people.

AASW Welcomes Prime Minister’s Decision to Mend the Pay Gap
15 July 2012
Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s announcement of $1 billion to fund pay increases for social and community service workers is a welcome decision. This funding will go a long way towards addressing the pay inequity experienced by skilled workers in this sector. The decision will help to address the high workforce turnover among social and community services workers.

Social workers missing from the National Health Professional Registration and Accreditation Scheme
2 July 2012
Social workers have welcomed the extension of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) to include four health professions and are today announcing the launch of a campaign to see social work included in the scheme.

Co-operation not Coercion – Restoring Respect for Australia’s First Peoples by Saying NO to Stronger Futures Legislation
18 June 2012

On the eve of the 5th Anniversary of the Northern Territory Emergency Response, the Australian Association of Social Workers, representing 7000 members nationally is calling on Senators to oppose the Stronger Futures Legislation which discriminates against Australia’s First Peoples.

2012-2013 Federal Budget Brings Some Good News for Vulnerable Australians
9 May 2012
The Australian Association of Social Workers is committed to creating a more just society. The AASW welcomes many of the initiatives announced by the Treasurer Wayne Swan in the 2012-2013 Federal Budget as contributing to greater equality and quality of life for many Australians, and enhanced work conditions for some of the health and community services who work with them.

World Social Work Day 2012: A global movement for change

20 March 2012

March 20th, 2012 is World Social Work Day. This is the annual opportunity for all social work organisations to celebrate the significant role of social workers at many levels of society.

AASW Recognises Anniversary of the National Apology

13 February 2012

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the pain and suffering arising from government policies of forced removals of children. AASW pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we apologize for the role care workers played in implementing unjust policies.

Social Workers applaud Fair Work Australia’s historic validation of the landmark equal pay claims of Social and Community workers

2 February 2012