National Study of Social Work Students: Research and Advocacy
Australian Association of Social Workers and James Cook University have published a briefing paper about and the key findings of the National Study of Social Work Students. The study surveyed 2320 students across Australia.
The key findings in the paper provide evidence on the need to increase the rates of government allowances particularly Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy. We will use this evidence in our advocacy for better student allowances and increasing the number of students who are entitled to government support.
- Briefing paper: National Study of Social Work Students
- Key findings
- Advocacy and related information
What we asked social work students
In the survey, conducted between April and August 2015, we asked students the following questions
Ongoing advocacy
The AASW continues to use the data from this research to advocate for the increase of Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy.
Most recently through:
- Submission to Adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support payments in Australia
- Federal Election 2019 Policy Platform - Submission
- Submission to the Australian Treasury 2019-20 Pre-budget Submission
Federal Budget 2018-2019: AASW Report and Submission to the Australian Treasury 2018-19 Pre-budget Submission
Also the findings from this study has been published in several media pieces and journal articles, including:
- Balancing work and tertiary study is harder now than in 2012: study - The Conversation
- Susan Gair (2019) Mature-aged Social Work Students: Challenges, Study Realities, and Experiences of Poverty, Australian Social Work, 72:1, 91-104,
