Submissions and advocacy

In our commitment to social justice and human rights, the AASW advocates for key social issues and the profession at many levels, including responding and presenting evidence to government inquiries and royal commissions.

You can also browse submissions by year.

Submissions in progress

The AASW is currently preparing submissions for these inquiries. The social policy team welcomes input from any members who have expertise or interest in these topics. Please contact the social policy team at social.policy@aasw.asn.au if you would like to contribute to any of these submissions.

1. Indigenous Voice to Parliament
2. Draft Preventative Health Strategy
3. Select Committee on Job Security (submitted)
4. Preventative Health Strategy
5. Administration of registration and notifications by AHPRA and related entities under the National Law
6. Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Financial Transparency) Bill 2020
7. The efficacy, fairness, timeliness and costs of the processing and granting of visa classes which provide for or allow for family and partner reunions
8. Independent Assessments: Parliamentary inquiry
9. Interventions for children on the Autism spectrum
10. Developing the next National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children
11. Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
12. Inquiry concerning young people who are absent or missing from residential care (VIC)
13. Pre-budget submission 2021-22 (Vic)
14. Pre-budget 2021-22 submission (NT)
15. Inquiry into ACT alcohol, tobacco and other drug harm reduction policy and programs (ACT)
16. Commission of Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (Tas)

Previously submitted

1. Joint Standing Committee Inquiry into Independent Assessments
2. Social Services Legislation Amendment (Strengthening income support) Bill 2021
3. Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 (QLD)
4. Pre-budget 2021-22 submission (TAS)
5. Inquiry into Australia's skilled migration program
6. Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
7. Select Committee on Job Security
8. NDIA Independent Assessment consultation
9. Consultation paper on a legal framework for voluntary assisted dying (QLD-NQLD)
10. Inquiry into extremist movements and radicalism in Australia
11. Inquiry into coercive control in domestic relationships (NSW)
12. Pre-Budget submission 2021-2022 (Federal)
13. Consultation on Disability Inclusion (Restrictive Practices – NDIS) Amendment Bill 2020 (SA)
14. National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
15. Inquiry into Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales (NSW)
16. Inquiry into child protection and social services system (NSW)
17. Private Health Insurance Reforms Submission
18. Western Australia 2021 state election statement
19. Productivity Commission Mental Health Inquiry final report
20. Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2020 and Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2020
21. Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020
22. National Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Information Priorities (QLD)
23. Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Counsel Assisting’s final submissions
24. Review of NSW school curriculum (NSW)
25. Equal Opportunity (Religious Bodies) Amendment Bill 2020 (SA)
26. Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2020
27. Vic LGBTIQ Strategy
28. COVID 19 Inquiry
29. Select Committee on Autism
30. Inquiry into homelessness in Australia
31. NDIS Workforce
32. Paid Parental Leave (Flexibility measures)
33. Pre budget submission 2020
34. Religious Freedom Bills – Second Exposure Drafts
35. Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
36. Productivity Commission Mental health Draft Report Response
37. Joint Select Committee on Australia's Family Law System
38. Effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis and support for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
39. Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019
40. Nationhood, national identity and democracy
41. Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019 submitted
42. Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2019 [Provisions]
43. National Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Information Priorities
44. Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020
45. Royal Commission into Mental Health Victoria
46. Centrelink's compliance program
47. SA Social Work Registration Bill Submission
48. Submission WA Climate Inquiry 2019
49. Effectiveness of the Aged Care Quality Assessment and accreditation framework for protecting residents from abuse and poor practices, and ensuring proper clinical and medical care standards are maintained and practised
50. Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill
51. Intergenerational Welfare Dependency
52. First comprehensive review of the family law act ALRC
53. Accessibility and quality of mental health services in rural and remote Australia
54. My Health Record System
55. My Health Record (Privacy)
56. Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission bill
57. Fair Work Amendment (Family and Domestic Violence Leave) bill
58. Medicare Benefits Schedule Review (Learn more about the process and our submissions)
59. Fifth National Mental Health Plan (ongoing)
60. Australian Government’s response to the National Mental Health Commission’s 2014 report Contributing Lives, Thriving Communities – Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services (ongoing)
61. Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion) Bill 2018
62. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
63. The Role of Commonwealth, State and Territory Government in Addressing the High Rates of Mental Health Conditions Experienced by First Responders, Emergency Service Workers and Volunteers
64. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
65. Inquiry into local adoption

Campaigns & consultation

In line with our Strategic Plan, the AASW is constantly advocating for the profession and key social issues. Visit our Campaigns & Consultation's webpage to learn more about some of our other efforts

Contribute to an AASW submission

If you are interested in contributing to any of these, please email the AASW Social Policy team