Only three weeks to go!

Three weeks until the AASW Conference 2019!

The AASW Conference 2019 -- Challenging Inequality is nearly here! The three-day Conference opens on Friday, 7 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

1. Enjoy the historic city of Adelaide - from the wine, markets and gardens, there is much to do and enjoy and extend your stay before or after the conference.
2. Choose from the subject matter streams, skills workshops and and plenary sessions - there is something for all practitioners to challenge inequality and up to 23 hours of CPD available.
3. Network - draw from the energy of like-minded colleagues who are as devoted to working together for a just society as you are.
4. Keynote Speakers - Natasha Stott Despoja AO, Prof. Tom Calma AO, IFSW UN Commissioner Priska Fleischlin and Dinner Speaker Debbie Kilroy - will inspire you to challenge inequality.
5. Celebrate - we have special reception for first-time attendees, a welcome reception for all and the conference dinner.

Date and location: 7-9 November 2019, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide

Register today

Find out more

	Organisational transformation - watch the CEO's video

The AASW is transforming and improving the way you access member services and information – these include the closure of state offices and the adoption of “flexible offices”.

More information is available on our website.

Watch the video or listen to the podcast to hear AASW CEO Cindy Smith explain the changes.

	AASW in the media

AASW National President Christine Craik told the Newstart Senate inquiry that robodebt was "war on the poor", which was widely quoted in the media.

AASW published three media releases:

• Celebrating social workers on Allied Health Professionals Day - 14 October
• Centrelink’s debt recovery system is a war on the poor, says AASW  - 10 October
• World Mental Health Day: The AASW calls for significant sector reform - 10 October

	AASW webinar on social work registration

There will be a second webinar on social work registration, which is a repeat session of the one held in August. It is scheduled for Wednesday, 23 October at 6.00pm AEDT. 

Register for the webinar.

	AASW Annual General Meeting 2019

The Association's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Friday, 8 November in Adelaide at the AASW Conference 2019. Register to attend the AGM.

The Association's Directors' Report and Financial Statements are now available.

Proxy forms are available if you cannot attend, but would like to vote. 

	AASW Submissions and Inquiries

The AASW is currently working on the following submissions:

• Inquiry into Centrelink’s compliance program (the AASW gave formal evidence last week)
• Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Update
• SA Social Work Registration Bill Submission
• Nationhood Inquiry
• Expansion of the Cashless Debit Card.

The social policy team welcomes input from any members who have expertise or interest in these topics. We are particularly keen to hear from any members with experience of the Income Management scheme in the Northern Territory, or in the communities in which the cashless card already exists. Please contact the social policy team at social.policy@aasw.asn.au if you would like to contribute to any of these submissions.

The AASW has recently made the following submissions:

• WA Climate Health Inquiry
• Medevac Bill
• Newstart Inquiry
• NDIS Planning
• Drug Testing Legislation

All submissions are posted to the social policy webpage when we have permission to make them public (as required).

Social workers worldwide: 'The climate crisis is an emergency'

On September 20, delegates at the Asia Pacific Social Work Conference, representing 33 countries, joined in the global action for climate justice declaring that: ‘The Climate Crisis is an Emergency’ and identified the social work role in taking action.

The AASW published a media release stating our position on the climate emergency. 

“Australian social workers have joined social workers worldwide in declaring a climate emergency,” said AASW National President Christine Craik, who attended the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Asian-Pacific Social Work Conference in September. Read our media release.

Worksafe Victoria: New policy for social work and AMHSW services

AASW is pleased to report on a great outcome for those providing services through Worksafe  Victoria. Worksafe Victoria has launched a new policy for social work and Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSW).

The policy provides guidelines regarding circumstances in which social work or AMHSW services can be paid for by WorkSafe Agents under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013. Information was provided to current Worksafe providers on this change.

If you are an AMHSW in Victoria we encourage you to take advantage of this great development and sign up to become a Worksafe provider.

More information about this policy or fee schedule please contact WorkSafe Advisory on 1800 136 089 or via email to provider@worksafe.vic.gov.au.

The AASW will continue to advocate to similar schemes in other states and territories.

Update on new Eating Disorders MBS items

From 1 November, a new suite of 64 Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items will be introduced to support a model of best practice evidence-based care for patients with anorexia nervosa and other eligible patients with eating disorders.

This includes 32 new items (#82352-#82383) for clinical psychologists and psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers' provision of eating disorder psychological treatment services.

This new item structure means eligible patients will be able to receive a Medicare rebate when eligible providers undertake the development of an eating disorder treatment and management plan or a review, which will activate:

• a course of evidence-based eating disorder psychological treatment services (up to a total of 40 psychological services in a 12-month period); and
• up to 20 dietetic services, in a 12-month period, depending on their treatment needs.

The MBS notification and factsheet for the new eating disorder items are now available on the MBSOnline website at: Current Factsheets - Upcoming changes to MBS items - Eating Disorders.

Mental health professionals in residential aged care facilities

The AASW is part of an Expert Reference Group that is developing training for mental health professionals to prepare them to deliver services in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs). The Department of Health has made money available to Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to commission services from mental health professionals and low intensity service workers; and the Australian Psychological Society has been funded to develop a series of online interactive materials for the mental health workforce. 

As soon as drafts of these modules are available for consultation, AASW members will be invited to provide feedback. In the meantime, members are reminded of the existing resources and materials already devised to assist in tendering to provide existing mental health services through PHNs. These are available at https://www.t-pcs.com.au

	Horizon Career Centre

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? Do you have a role to advertise? Have a look at our Horizon Career Centre, for social work roles.

Members can create free locum listings.

	Advertise with us

Have you considered advertising in the National e-Bulletin? Do you have a product, event or service relevant to social workers? For more information, please view our booking form.