Independent governance review of AASW election process

31 August 2026

During and after the 2025 AASW National Board and Branch Management Committee elections, several candidates and a number of AASW members expressed their concern about, and lack of confidence in, the way in which the elections were conducted.

The current National Board considered these concerns and in line with our commitment to improved standards of governance and greater transparency in AASW, determined that an independent review of the conduct of the 2025 elections would be conducted.

Professor Chris Maylea was appointed to undertake this review. Professor Maylea is a social worker, lawyer, and Professor of Law at La Trobe University. Professor Maylea’s Report identified a number of problems associated with the conduct of the 2025 elections.

The Report was considered by the Board at its August meeting. The Board endorsed all the recommendations made by Professor Maylea about improvements that could be made to the conduct of the forthcoming 2026 AASW elections. The Report foreshadows a number of amendments to the AASW By-Laws, these are currently being drafted and will be released prior to the 2026 elections being called.

On behalf of the National Board I want to thank our members for the trust you have placed in us… this review is a small but important step in re-establishing the confidence of Australian social workers that our national Association operates consistently within the ethical framework of our shared profession… the Board is committed to increased transparency and accountability to members.

We also hope that the revised election protocols will encourage more of you to stand for election to the National Board or the State/Territory Branch Management Committees in the forthcoming elections.

Elizabeth (Liz) Little
National President / Chair of the AASW Board

Read the Report here.