Ensuring higher standards of conduct and accountability
On the 28 September 2023, the State Government introduced into Parliament the Social Workers Registration (Commencement) Amendment Bill 2023, setting the commencement date, 1 July 2025, if not commenced earlier by Proclamation.
When commenced, the legislation will require all social workers in South Australia to be registered in order to practice.
The introduction of a Social Workers Registration scheme was supported by the South Australian Government on the basis that the registration of social workers will have a range of benefits including improved public safety, higher standards of conduct and accountability through the provision of accessible mechanisms for complaints and review and improved professional development opportunities for people within the profession.
A copy of the Social Workers Registration Act can be found here
Annual Report
The Social Workers Registration Board has been operational for 12 months. Our annual report details the background to the establishment of the SWRB, Board appointment, staff appointments, work of the Board, stakeholder engagement and consultation, timeline, vision and values.
Read our Annual Report
October 2024
We are pleased to provide our video update for October 2024 from our Director Sarah Wendt.
Social Workers Registration Board Information Session
July 2024
We have recorded our information session which is an overview of social worker registration in South Australia.
Social Workers Registration Information Session
Video link: https://youtu.be/SeghiCuMysI
18th July 2024
Social Work Registration Information Sessions
Information Session with SA Health
Our Director Sarah Wendt and Principal Policy Officer Louise Butler have been delivering information sessions about Social Worker Registration both face to face and online. The sessions have been well attended generating lively discussion and insightful questions from the government sector, tertiary sectors and non-government sector. We are continuing to deliver information sessions until the end around the end of July 2024 (with a few still in August 2024), and at this time we will have an online version available on the website. If your organisation would like us to deliver a n information session, please get in contact at swrb@sa.gov.au to request a time.
Please see our FAQ section on the website or any questions you may have on the website which is updated regularly.
If you would like to view the presentation it is here:
20th March 2024
World Social Work Day breakfast
Professor Sarah Wendt, inaugural Director of the Social Workers Registration scheme, spoke at the World Social Work Day breakfast hosted by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) on 19th March 2024. The event's theme, "Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change," resonated with the task of establishing the first Social Workers Registration Board in Australia, with South Australia leading the implementation.
Professor Wendt shared insights into the progress and significance of the Social Workers Registration scheme and highlighted the focus on safeguarding the public interest, encouraging high professional standards, and ensuring the accountability of registered social workers.
The event was a wonderful occasion to celebrate and acknowledge the dedication of social workers and an opportunity for attendees to come together, reflect on their shared commitment to social work, and reaffirm their dedication to making a positive impact on individuals and communities.
Board members
Dr Carmela Bastian, Presiding Member
Dr Bastian has extensive practice and senior management experience in social work, regulatory frameworks, and compliance requirements. She recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Governance and Risk Management and was recently appointed as a board member of the Accreditation Council for the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Dr Bastian is an academic at Flinders University and her social work research in is known internationally and informs her teaching of social work students. She is a current member of the Child Death and Serious Injury Review Committee (CDSIRC) in South Australia.
Ms Kerry Beck, Deputy Presiding Member
Ms Beck has had senior management experience as a senior public sector manager of over 300 people, including nearly 200 Social Workers. Ms Beck has worked in the University sector and has a sound understanding of the Social Work Code of Ethics and the Social Work Practice Standards. She also has extensive experience in the design and implementation of service systems that adhere to relevant regulatory frameworks. Ms Beck has chaired several high-level Government Committees and was awarded 2023 South Australia Social Worker of the Year.
Ms Nicole Lancaster, Legal Member
Ms Lancaster has a Double Degree in Laws/Legal Practice (Honours) and Behavioural Science (Psychology). Ms Lancaster has a career history working with social workers, including her current position as Manager, Legal Services with DCP. Ms Lancaster has an in depth understanding of State Government, including the processes and systems required to implement the Government’s priorities.
Ms Jane Mussared, Social Work Member
Ms Mussared was most recently an Advisor with the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. She has also been the Chief Executive of the Council on the Ageing in South Australia (COTA SA) and a senior executive with a not-for-profit aged care provider. Jane has served on a number of boards and advisory committees at a state and federal level. Jane has a master’s degree in social work (majoring in social policy and research) from the University of Michigan and has worked in a wide range of social work and leadership roles in state government and the not-for-profit sector.
Ms Sarah Macdonald, Social Work Member
Ms Macdonald has extensive experience in social work, including as the current Director, Social Work Department, Central Adelaide Local Health Network. Ms Macdonald also has experience as an academic within the schools of Social Work and Allied Health Practice & Science. Ms Macdonald has extensive experience as a member of governing boards for incorporated community organisations and management committees.
Mr Ruka Taite, Social Work Member
Mr Taite has extensive experience in social work, including working with people from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. Mr Taite is an indigenous man from New Zealand with strong bicultural connections to local and interstate Aboriginal leaders. It is anticipated that Mr Taite’s cultural connections will assist the SWRB to engage with a diverse range of people from Aboriginal groups and communities.
Ms Jodie Stevens, Community Member
Ms Stevens is the representative of the general community of South Australia and has extensive experience, including in her current role as the Manager, People & Culture at the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council. Ms Stevens is a proud descendent of the Wiradjuri people who is committed to building capability and creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within South Australia and interstate. Ms Stevens has had previous experience as a Board member with the Zahra Foundation, Australia and is a current Board member with Women’s Safety Services SA and Headstart Homes.
Key team members
The team is responsible for the development and implementation of the scheme, including setting up the Office, recruiting staff, engaging a Registrar and facilitating the appointment of a Board.
Professor Sarah Wendt, Director
A social work expert with a strong national and international reputation, commenced in the role of Director for the Social Workers Registration Scheme on 18 September 2023. She has practised as a social worker in the field of domestic and family violence and has been an academic and teacher of social work practice for nearly 20 years at Flinders University and the University of South Australia, with published research on violence against women and children. Sarah was also recently appointed as Professor of Social Work at the University of Melbourne.
Louise Butler, Principal Policy and Project Officer
Has over thirty years' experience as a social worker with a Bachelor of Social Work, and she also has a Master of Public Policy and Management. Louise has worked significantly in Child Protection and the Disability sector and worked in the UK as a social worker for a combined total of five years. Louise was the first Director of Behaviour Support in South Australia for the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NQSC) which gave her unique experience in a Commonwealth Regulatory body. Louise has worked for both UniSA and Flinders University teaching in social work and has also operated as a private practitioner social worker and understands the unique considerations in this area for registration.
Hayley Anderson, Principal Project Officer
Brings a wealth of experience spanning diverse sectors, with a proven track record in senior administration and operations. As the Senior Research Support Officer at the SWIRLS Research Centre at Flinders University, she has demonstrated skills in managing multifaceted responsibilities, including operations, governance, finance, and administration. Her experience includes overseeing budgets, developing strategic plans, and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs).
These FAQ's are based on the currently available information from the SWRB.
We are currently working through the consultation data on the Social Work Services.
The SWRB is working through the policies and processes for registration to commence in July 2025. When further information becomes available, we will publish on the website in Latest News.
We recommend people read these questions and answers in conjunction with the Social Workers Registration Act 2021.
1. Are there more resources or tools to determine who must register?
The Board is currently in the process of creating the regulations and policies which will provide further definition on eligibility and the registration process. These regulations and policies will likely be published early next year.
In general, if you hold a qualification in social work and you are delivering social work services - you must register from the 1st of July 2025.
Please keep up to date on our website or through our mailing list as we publish more information and guidelines to inform yourself whether your qualification or current job role make you eligible to register and how to register.
2. How much will it cost social workers to register?
Fees have not been determined.
When the figures are finalised and approved by the Board and Treasury, they will be published on our website.
3. What is the difference between the AASW and the Social Workers Registration Board of SA?
The AASW is a voluntary membership professional association for social workers in Australia. They provide services such as advocacy, professional development, networking, and other resources to their members.
The Social Workers Registration Board of SA manages the mandatory registration of social workers in South Australia. If you are practising as a social worker or delivering social work services with South Australian service users then you must be registered from 1 July 2025.
4. What about contractors that must have AASW for insurance purposes, or those with AASW credentials, such as Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) credential? Will the SWRB SA ever take on these functions?
The Social Workers Registration Board is an independent regulatory body which oversees the social work profession in South Australia to protect the public. The SWRB SA will only ever be responsible for the regulatory functions of registration, investigation, and accreditation of education programs.
AASW assesses social workers for a mental health credential (AMHSW) to provide services under Medicare.
5. What are the CPD and Supervision requirements for registered social workers?
Registered social workers will be subject to a prescribed amount of supervision and CPD.
SWRB SA intends to maintain alignment with the AASW requirements, and the CPD completed for the AASW membership will be eligible towards registration.
6. What happens if someone is found to be using the title ‘social worker’ or delivering social work services, and they are not registered after 1 July 2025?
From 1 January 2026 you will be considered ‘holding yourself out’ as a registered social worker and there are penalties associated. Workplaces and organisations can also be penalised for holding out employees as social workers.
The Act gives 6 months transitional time to become registered from 1 July 2025.
7. What do the scheme’s investigative powers look like and what is the threshold for reporting misconduct?
Please read Part 7—Investigations and proceedings of the Social Workers Registration Act 2021.
8. What information can you provide about the Practice Experience Pathway?
The policies and regulations associated with the Practice Experience Pathway must be determined by the Board. Once this has been published, from 1 July 2025 the SWRB SA will take applications for those who are eligible to undertake the Practice Experience Pathway to become registered social workers.
The SWRB SA is developing the pathway with careful consideration to maintain the confidence in formal social work qualifications, and with respect the context of social work practice in South Australia.
9. How will the SWRB SA register applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds, or who hold international qualifications? Will I have to complete an IELTS test to register with the SWRB SA?
SWRB SA intends to endorse the English Language Policy of the AASW and accept their migration eligibility assessments of international qualifications.
If you have completed an IELTS test to gain entrance for migration or visa purposes, or for AASW membership – please ensure you have copies of your results as you may need to provide the documentation to us.
10. Will there be nationwide registration for social workers?
The Social Workers Registration Board SA supports the national registration of social workers and will contribute to the conversation in the sector.
Consultation report now published!
The Social Work Services and Scope of Practice Consultation Report is now published .
This report is the summary of findings from the sector consultation conducted between the 6th of August and the 9th of September 2024.
The SWRB would like to thank the sector for taking the time to engage with this process and providing rich and insightful feedback.
Consultation Now Closed.
The Scope of Practice and Social Work Services Consultation is now closed.
The Social Workers Registration Board are very pleased to inform you that the Scope of Practice and Social Work Services consultation received 472 individual survey responses and 19 organisation submissions.
Thank you to those who contributed either individual submissions, or through your organisation.
The Board will take the coming month to thoroughly review and consider all the submissions in line with the requirements of the Social Workers Registration Act (2021).
Once the analysis process is complete, we will provide a report to the whole sector outlining the findings of the consultation.
Again, thank you for your contribution to this important process to move South Australia closer to Social Worker Registration, and we look forward to continuing to engage with the sector.