AASW office closure and staff training

AASW will be on staff training on Thursday, 5 December and Friday, 6 December.  We will respond to your queries up on our return. 

AASW will be closed over the Christmas period from Wednesday Christmas Day, until Wednesday, 1 January. We will open again on Thursday, 2 January. 

	Annual Report 2018-2019

The AASW Annual Report 2018-2019 was launched at the Association's Annual General Meeting on Friday, 8 November in Adelaide, South Australia.  The Annual Report highlights several of the Association's achievements, including:

• 6.5% membership growth compared to the previous year
• 28% increase in student members
• Launching the Your Distinction credentialing program with new credentials in Family Violence and Clinical social work
• Improving the Horizon Career Centre website
• Representing social work internationally at the United Nations and at the International Federation of Social Workers
• Advancing the Reconciliation Action Plan 2017-2019
• Revising the Association's Constitution.

Read the Association's Annual Report 2018-2019. 

	Congratulations all new graduates

Congratulations to all new graduates, as the year draws to a close.  Are you currently a student member and just about to graduate? You can upgrade your membership from student to graduate free of charge. 

Log in and upgrade today.

Now that you are about to graduate, why not have a look at our Graduate Hub and see the resources available to you as a new graduate social worker?

Well done to all new social work graduates. As your professional body, we look forward to assisting you as you start your career as a social worker.

	Volunteer with the fires

If you would like to volunteer with the devastating fires, please register on Volunteering Australia's website.

	Organisational transformation - watch the CEO's video

The AASW is transforming and improving the way you access member services and information – these include the development of an accessible online community. 

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 published two media releases:

• International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: AASW stands with Generation Equality against rape
• We have to talk about poverty and inequality: Royal Commission into Mental Health Interim Report

	AASW submissions and inquiries

The AASW is currently working on the following submissions:

• Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
• Joint Select Committee on Australia's Family Law System
• Federal budget 20-21
• Pathways and Participation Opportunities for Indigenous Australians in Employment and Business
• Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The AASW has recently made the following submissions:

• Effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis and support for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• South Australia Social Work Registration Bill Submission
• Centrelink automated debt reduction system
• Nationhood Inquiry.

Centrelink Automated Debt (Robodebt) changes: success and a request for more information

Members might have read that a recent Federal Court ruling determined that the worst aspect of the government’s automated debt recovery system was invalid.  This is the same point that has been made in the AASW’s two written submissions into the system, and in our follow up verbal submission to the Senate Inquiry into that legislation. In that follow up evidence, Christine Craik, the National President, described the devastating consequences for mental health that policies like this one hold for many of the people we work with.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Interim Report

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has recently released its Interim Report, highlighting how badly the current system is failing older people.  You can access the full report here.

The AASW is finalising its submission on the issues regarding the workforce, which is due this week.  We are also continuing to work on our overall submission, which will respond to the interim report.  The first draft was developed after extensive consultation with members across Australia. We have sent a consultation proforma to each member who took part in our consultation, and we also welcome any other input   Please contact angela.scarfe@aasw.asn.au.

The Commission is still accepting submission until April 2020.

Productivity Commission Mental Health Draft Report

The draft report of the Productivity Commission on mental health was released 31 October 2019. The AASW made a submission in April 2019 on the Inquiry advocating for system reform.  We highlighted the role of social workers, and described how Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) have significant expertise in assessment and providing therapies and intervention with a wide range of complex mental health needs.

The AASW is currently working on our response to the Draft Report.  We have sent a consultation proforma to each member who took part in the consultation to draft our first submission, and we also welcome any other input by 16 December 2019. Please contact mhadvocacy@aasw.asn.au.

	AASW National Advisory Panels: Call for Expressions of Interest

AASW has established two National Advisory Panels (NAPs) for the following areas:

• NDIS
• Mental Health Reform.

We are seeking to expand the membership of these groups.

In addition we are establishing two new NAPs for the following areas:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues
• Veterans Affairs.

The purpose of the NAPs is to provide expertise, leadership, and strategic focus on key issues that the AASW is engaged in to further the social policy and advocacy priorities of the Association, and the profession of social work.

Read more about the National Advisory Panels

	DVA veteran cards and health care arrangements

The following suite of articles relating to Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Cards and health care arrangements have been published in DVA Provider News:

• ‘New-look card shows veteran support' - The article advises health providers that they can expect to start seeing DVA clients present their new-look Veteran Cards (Gold, White or Orange), for treatments and services.
• ‘Understanding the DVA Gold Card’ -  An overview for providers about the entitlement of DVA Gold Card holders, which DVA-funded treatments they can receive.

Earlier this year, DVA also published an article about ‘Understanding the DVA Veteran Card – White’ which is a handy companion to the two recently published articles.

	Safe Places grants now open

Applications for Safe Places grant funding are now open to eligible organisations. Visit the GrantConnect website for more information.

	Stop it at the Start

AASW is supporting the Stop it at the Start campaign, which is aimed at stopping violence against women. 

There are a few ways you can get involved – sharing the campaign on social media, spreading the word with your contacts via a newsletter, displaying posters in your workplace. Here is a Dropbox link to the campaign kit designed for you to help spread the word. It includes:

• An overview of the campaign and key facts about the issue
• Video files of the ads currently running, which you’re welcome to post on your social channels as well
• Some written text for you to use in your newsletter or on your website, or in emails
• Other animations, videos and resources you may like to use or share.

	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.