Member benefits & services
Insurance
Members receive Public and Products Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance with Berkley Insurance Australia. The policies have been arranged by Sear Insurance Brokers: Professional Indemnity Insurance to $20million, and Public and Products Liability Insurance up to $20million.
Please read the document below to assist you in making the decision whether to 'opt out' of the AASW insurance coverage.
The AASW recommends members consult with their accountant or solicitor regarding their insurance coverage in addition to reading this information.
Important Insurance Information for members
Frequently asked questions about insurance
* Please note your personalised certificates of currency for the 2020/21 financial year will be available from the Member Centre page once logged on from 1 July.
Contact:
Sear Insurance Brokers
Adam Mott
Ph: (03) 9797 2900
Email: adam@searinsure.com.au
Publications
Members receive subscriptions to the Association’s quarterly academic journal, Australian Social Work and a digital magazine, the Social Work Focus, along with our fortnightly Member News. As part of membership, you will be able access to Australian Social Work online, as well as Ethics and Social Welfare journal, Journal of Community Practice and Social Work in Health Care journal.
Professional support
Whether you’re experiencing an ethical dilemma in your workplace or have a question about practice standards or supervision requirements, the AASW is here for you. The Ethics and Practice Standards Consultation Service is a free service for members and can be accessed via phone or email.
Resource Library
The AASW Resource Library is designed to provide AASW members with centralised access to high-quality, current and free resources on a range of topics relevant to social work with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities. Click here to access the Resource Library (members only).
Continuing Professional Development
The AASW provides Continuing Professional Development through activities delivered by our branches, and online with our online learning platform 'Social Work Online Training' (SWOT). AASW activities are Quality Assured by the Association through a process that measures against content, educational, and ethical standards. For further information about our CPD program click here.
Promotion of your practice or services
Private practitioners who join the AASW can have their services promoted in the Find a social worker and/or Find a supervisor directories. Up to 5 different listings per member can be included in the directories, which are created and maintained through the Member Centre. Click here to access the Member Centre (members only).
Horizon Career Centre
Search the Horizon Career Centre job database for job vacancies across a range of human services disciplines and locations in Australia. Members can subscribe to job alerts based on job category, location or job type and elect to receive notifications either weekly or daily. The Horizon Career Centre Locum database is a free service provided to AASW members seeking employment on a locum basis or interested in sessional work (long term or short term). Simultaneously, the Locum database is a resource for employers seeking social work professionals that are available on a locum basis.
Networking and community building
As an organisation of members serving members, our success and vitality is built on the active involvement, contribution and enthusiasm of our member community. Enhance your membership experience by tapping into and contributing to numerous networks and member communities throughout the country.
AASW Credentialing Program
Current members with a minimum of two years' full time of equivalent postgraduate experience can now apply for a credential.
Be Recognised - Accreditation officially recognises you as a leader and a specialist.
Build Confidence - Your clients and the community are confident in your skills and experience.
Community - You become part of a community of specialists for collaboration, enrichment and contribution to change and best practice.
Career Progression - Recognition of your specialised talent and experience creates opportunities.
Advocacy and representation
We provide a voice for the profession by actively engaging in a range of policy issues on behalf of the membership. Learn more on our Social policy and advocacy pages.
Member Benefits Program
Maximise your benefits, savings and time through one call to your AASW Representative at MEMBERBenefits. Gain access to a range of discounted products and services including: Travel and accommodation Car rental Health clubs Health, personal and motor vehicle insurance Home and mobile phone plans Broadband plans Home protection Home and investment loans Financial, tax and legal services Lifestyle experiences. Visit our MEMBERBenefits site to learn more.
Eligibility to apply for a Medicare provider number
To apply for a Medicare provider number, as a social worker, you have to be a member of the AASW and meet the Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Continuing Professional Development requirements. Depending on the Medicare programs you wish to provide services under, a social worker will either be required to undertake specific training or apply for an assessment of their clinical mental health social worker skills (Accreditation as a Mental Health Social Worker) prior to being eligible to apply for a Medicare provider number. Find out more.
Eligibility to apply for a Healthcare Provider Identifier Individual number (HPI-I)
The Healthcare Identifier Service is a national system for uniquely identifying healthcare providers, and individuals (consumers). The Healthcare Identifier number allows providers to access eHealth initiatives such as eHealth record. Social workers who are members of the Australian Association of Social Workers are eligible to apply for a healthcare provider identifier individual (HPI-I).
Title Protection
As a member of the AASW you are entitled to use an AASW Collective Trade Mark. Use of the Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark instantly communicates to colleagues, clients, employers and others that the user of the trade mark is a professionally qualified social worker, commits to uphold the AASW Code of Ethics 2020 and has committed to continuing their professional development and training. For more information and to find out which Trade Mark you may be eligible, click here.
