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Start the new year by making sure your membership details are up-to-date. Login to the website to review and update your contact details, areas of practice and interest, to ensure you're receiving the latest news, services and programs exclusive to AASW members. 

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	Australia Day statement

Last year, the Association supported changing the date of Australia's national day, as it commemorates the beginning of colonisation and the devastation this had (and continues to have) on Australia’s First Peoples.  The Association supports a day which is inclusive of all Australians.

Read National President Christine Craik and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board Representative Linda Ford’s 2018 statement.

	Media watch - MBS Review on hold

As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, the review of mental health Medicare Benefits Schedule items has been momentarily put on hold due internal debates within the psychology profession. We are continuing to work with the Taskforce and key Departmental staff advocating for the removal of a tiered approach to services and greater recognition of Accredited Mental Health Social Workers. Learn more about our advocacy work in this space, including our submissions.

	Free workshops - Countering Violent Extremism

We are hosting free continuing professional development workshops for social work, mental health and welfare professionals on Building Resilience & Preventing Radicalisation to Violent Extremism - An Awareness Raising Workshop.

Priority will be given to AASW members. 

Find out more and register register to attend a workshop.

	AASW Submissions and Inquiries

AASW’s recent submissions include:

• Australian Law Reform Commission – Family Law Review
• Effectiveness of current temporary skilled visa system
• Effectiveness of the Aged Care Quality and Accreditation Framework

Visit the social policy webpage to read the AASW submissions.

	Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety update

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety opened with a preliminary hearing at Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts in Adelaide on Friday, 18 January 2019.

The Royal Commission will visit all capital cities as well as regional centres and is due to produce an interim report not later than 31 October 2019 and a final report not later than 30 April 2020.

AASW will be holding consultations for its submission to the Royal Commission. If you work in aged care, or have experiences of the aged care system, and are interested in being involved, please contact us at social.policy@aasw.asn.au.

Read more about the Royal Commission

	Mental health - member input sought

Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health

AASW is attending a ministerial roundtable to provide input to the Terms of Reference to the Royal Commission.

Input from community members is being sought through the Engage Victoria platform.

The Royal Commission will commence its work in March 2019.

Productivity Commission inquiry into the economic impacts of mental ill-health

The Productivity Commission has released an Issues Paper. Initial submissions are due by 5 April 2019.

Consultations

AASW will be holding consultations with members for its submissions to both the Productivity Commission Inquiry and the Victorian Royal Commission. If you work in a mental health service, or with people experiencing mental ill-health in other settings, and are interested in being involved in this process, please contact us at social.policy@aasw.asn.au.

Read more on AASW actions on mental health

	Everyone’s Business: The National Workplace Sexual Harassment Inquiry

The AASW would like to make a submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces, representing the experiences and insights of members.

The closing date for submissions has been extended to the end of February.

If you wish to provide information about your experiences, or you would like to contribute your insights, please email social.policy@aasw.asn.au. If you would like one of the team to contact you, please leave details of the best way to do this. We will ensure confidentiality.

Read more about AASW actions on the Inquiry

	Working with Primary Health Networks - CPD available

Are you in private practice as a sole trader or a small business owner interested in delivering services on behalf of Primary Health Networks? .

The AASW worked in collaboration with the Australian Psychological Society, Occupational Therapy Australia, and the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses to develop online training modules and webinars.

In addition, the first webinar was held on Thursday, 29 November 2018 and is available for your viewing as a podcast.

Two more webinars will be held in 2019 and your suggestions about suitable topics are welcome.

If you have any queries about the training or the webinars please contact
angela.scarfe@aasw.asn.au.

Read more about working with PHNs

	Social Work Focus - Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The latest edition of Social Work Focus, your membership magazine, is out now. The theme is Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

Log in to the member portal to read it. A selection of articles include:

• Addressing human trafficking: the Generation 414 story
• Meeting refugees and people seeking asylum with compassion by Jonathan Ng
• Unaccompanied children seeking asylum by Kim Robinson
• Two worlds and in between: from Bosnian refugee to Australian social worker by Nevena Simic

We are seeking contributions and a review panel for our Autumn edition - Family Support and Family Violence - deadline is 11 March 2019.

If you would like to be on the review panel, please email editor@aasw.asn.au with a short note which edition you'd like to review and a CV. 

	Australian Social Work - January edition

The January edition of Australian Social Work has been published, with the theme of Social Work Education. 

Read it here.

Did you know that you can subscribe to alerts, letting you know when new content becomes available in the Journal, including when new editions come out? This is a great way to receive the Journal, as an alternative or addition to, the print copy.

	Social work registration update

The South Australian Parliament has established a committee to inquire into the Social Workers Registration Bill 2018 that proposed the registration of social workers in the state. The Joint Committee is currently consulting with stakeholders in relation to the proposed regulatory framework and its implementation. The AASW will be formally presenting its arguments to the Committee and will also be making a written submission. We will provide further updates as they become available.

	Participate in research - get your CPD hours

We have new research participation opportunities available. Participating counts towards your CPD. 

Find out more about participating in research on our website.

A current research project is seeking social workers' experiences and views on women's use of force in a couple or a family context. Complete the anonymous survey - closes 2 February.

	Enhanced NDIS website launched

The new NDIS website features:

• a simplified structure aligned to the new participant pathway
• a new and adaptable design making is easier to access the site on mobile devices
• improved search functionality, making it easier to find local information sessions, partner
• and NDIA office locations and roll out details
• new inbuilt accessibility features such as contrast and font resizing to ensure everyone
• can engage with the NDIS
• clearer layout of information to explain key NDIS information and processes.

Website users can continue to provide feedback on the new website, through a dedicated email
address websitefeedback@ndis.gov.au.

The new website replaces the existing website and users can access the site by visiting
www.ndis.gov.au.

	ASRC - seeking volunteers

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is seeking qualified and passionate volunteer social workers, to assist in its Humanitarian Services Team. The team works primarily with people seeking asylum who have been excluded from the government-funded welfare sector and have nowhere else to turn. Social work volunteers conduct intake interviews, psychosocial assessments, provide information, advocacy and support to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

You must be:

• based in Melbourne
• qualified in (or currently in the final year of study) in social work, welfare work or related fields
• experienced in dealing with clients in the welfare sector (employment, volunteer, or study placement)
• available one week day per week and willing to make a 12-month commitment.

For more information and how to apply please visit ASRC.

	South Australian Social Worker of the Year Awards 2019 - seeking nominations

The AASW South Australian Branch is seeking nominations for the South Australian Social Worker of the Year Awards. The categories are:

• Rising Star - proudly sponsored by Flinders Uni 
• Head Heart and Hands - proudly sponsored by Hesta
• Rural and Remote Impact - proudly sponsored by Uniting Communities
• Agent of Change - proudly sponsored by Department of Child Protection
• Leading the Way in the Workplace - proudly sponsored by Dr Mary Hood of ARC - Reflective Supervision
• Student of the Year - proudly sponsored by UniSA

Nominations close 5.00pm (ACST) Wednesday, 13 March.

Find out more on how to nominate on the AASW website.