What We Do
CPE Policy Fast Facts & FAQs
(for full details please download the CPE Policy)- CPE cycle runs from 01 July to 30 June
- 1 learning hour usually = 1 CPE point
- 1 learning hour = 2 CPE points if it’s an AASW sponsored activity OR if the event has been appellated
- Minimum of 75 points is required for one CPE cycle (consisting of at least 10 points in each of the first 3 categories)
- Social Workers working less than 30 hours per week need only accrue a minimum of 45 points total (including minimum of at least 10 points in each of the first 3 categories)
- Once you have become a CPE accredited member you can use ‘MAASW (Acc)’ e.g. Jane Smith, MAASW (Acc)
Does the AASW need to endorse/approve trainings before I can count them towards my CPE?
No, you can determine your CPE needs, and then plan for and engage in CPE activities accordingly. Any event (e.g. seminar, lecture, workshop, conference) that you deem relevant to your continuing professional education may be counted. A non-AASW event would usually accrue 1 point per hour of learning. Please refer to the CPE Policy document for full details on activities and points.
How many points do I accrue if it’s an AASW CPE event?
When you attend a CPE event sponsored/organised by the AASW you will accrue 2 points per hour of learning. For example, if you attended an AASW Branch skill development workshop and it ran from 9am – 4pm (7 hours) with a 1 hour lunch break, you would accrue 12 points (6 hours of learning x 2).
What is an appellated event?
Training providers can apply to have their CPE event endorsed by the AASW (known as Appellation). When you attend an appellated event you will accrue double points. Visit our Events page to find appellated events.
Is it difficult to accrue the required points?
We find that many members are surprised by how quickly they accrue the required points given most of us are engaged in CPE activities on a regular basis. Given we are so actively engaged in CPE, it’s an excellent idea to download the CPE Logbook and record your activities (e.g. supervision sessions, workshops attended, articles/books read) as you undertake them. You may surprise yourself by just how much CPE you actually do in a one-year period!
How can I accrue points in each of the categories?
(for full details please refer to the CPE Policy)
1. Accountability
(minimum of 10 points required; no maximum limit)
- Receiving regular, ongoing professional supervision
- Receiving additional private professional consultation
- Professional peer consultation
- Providing professional supervisionMentoringSupervision of social work students
2. Skill Development
(minimum of 10 points required; no maximum limit)
- Participation in skill development workshops or courses of training
- Supervised practice for skill development
3. Gaining New Knowledge & Information
(minimum of 10 points required; no maximum limit)
- Distance education/on-line learning (not associated with a uni program)
- Reading professional publications
- Attending conference, info sessions and other professional presentations
- Academic study
- Practice-based research projects
- Study tours and exchange programs
4. Contributing to Professional Knowledge and Practice
(not mandatory)
- Conducting a skill development workshop
- Publishing refereed journal articles and books
- Publication of a complete book
- Publishing non-refereed journal articles or books
- Reviewing journal articles for publication in a recognised professional journal
- Presentation of conference papers and other professional presentations
- Supervision of social work students
- Active membership of professionally relevant committees and boards
- Volunteer activities
Example of Accruing CPE Points
Below is a fictional example of CPE activity undertaken in one 12 month cycle, which highlights some of the common ways members accrue points:
Accountability
(minimum of 10 points required)
- Received supervision for 1 hour from a Social Worker 8 times = 16 points accrued
- Supervised 1 social work student for a semester = 10 points accrued
Skill Development
(minimum of 10 points required)
- Attended a full-day AASW Branch run skill development workshop = 12 points accrued
- Attended a 3 hour non-AASW run skill development workshop = 3 points accrued
Gaining New Knowledge and Information
(minimum of 10 points required)
- Read 6 articles in Australian Social Work, 4 times per year = 24 points accrued
- Read 2 books with 7 chapters each = 14 points
- Attended a 2 day non-AASW conference = 12 points
Contributing to Professional Knowledge and Practice
(not mandatory – no minimum required)
- Branch Management Committee member = 10 points accrued
Total points accrued in this example = 101 points