Guidance from experienced social workers

Social work practice often involves situations where the right course of action is not immediately clear. The Social Work Advisory Service offers timely, practical guidance when professional judgement is needed, drawing on the expertise of highly experienced social workers. The service is available to members at all career stages and is tailored to your specific context. You can seek support when:

• Working in complex or unfamiliar areas of practice
• Considering your career direction or moving towards running your own practice
• Clarifying professional requirements and obligations
• Interpreting compliance expectations.

What the service covers

• Advice on social work practice and scope, particularly where there is uncertainty about roles, responsibilities, or decision-making in complex situations.
• Support with documentation and compliance, including reporting requirements, case notes, and professional obligations.
• Guidance on navigating service systems such as Medicare, the NDIS, and aged care services where requirements and processes can be difficult to interpret, including eligibility, claims, and interactions with referring practitioners.
• Supervision, credentials and insurance, including supervision requirements, credentialling, and insurance considerations such as professional indemnity, private health, and workers compensation.
• Career development, including transitions between areas of practice, professional development pathways, and next steps following graduation.
• Running your own practice, including establishing, managing, and closing a practice, with guidance for independent practitioners on readiness and risk.

How to contact the service

Call the AASW on 03 9320 1000.