The Social Workers Registration Board of South Australia (SWRB SA) was established under the Social Workers Registration Act 2021 (the Act). The primary objects of the Act are to maintain a public register of social workers and to protect the public by ensuring high standards of practice and accountability. The SWRB SA’s mission is to uplift the profession, ensure accountability, and enhance public safety, fostering a culture of professionalism and excellence in practice.
The Foundation of our Work- The Social Workers Registration Act 2021.
The primary objects of the Act, are:
to establish and maintain a registration system for social workers; and
to safeguard the public interest by ensuring that only suitably trained and qualified persons are able to practise as social workers; and
to encourage the maintenance of high professional standards of both competence and conduct by registered social workers; and
to ensure that registered social workers are held accountable professionally for the conduct of their practice.
The Role of the Board
The SWRB SA is responsible for administering the provisions of the Act for the regulation of social workers. This includes establishing and maintaining a register of social workers, determining the qualifications and other requirements appropriate for registration under the Act, and making determinations in disciplinary proceedings against social workers.
The SWRB SA vision is to uplift the profession, ensure accountability, and enhance public safety, fostering a culture of professionalism and excellence in practice. With three main functions - registration, encouraging quality practice, and responding to concerns and reports - the Board is committed to maintaining a robust registration framework that is fair, balanced and promotes consistent, high quality service delivery across the sector.
The SWRB SA is committed to engaging and partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to ensure appropriate cultural governance and leadership across the Board’s key functions.
The SWRB SA Board is made up of seven members, five with significant social work experience, one legal member, and one community member.
Board Members (check text against Word doc)
Board Members
The SWRB SA Board is made up of seven members, five with significant social work experience, one legal member, and one layperson.
Dr Carmela Bastian, Presiding Member
Carmela 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). Carmela 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 Jodie Stevens, Deputy Presiding Member, Community Member
Jodie 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. Jodie 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. Jodie 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.
Ms Nicole Lancaster, Legal Member
Nicole has a Double Degree in Laws/Legal Practice (Honours) and Behavioural Science (Psychology). Nicole has a long career history working with social workers, including her current position as Manager, Legal Services with DCP. Nicole 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
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. Jane 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 several boards and advisory committees at a state and federal level.
Mr Ruka Taite, Social Work Member
Ruka has extensive experience in social work, including working with people from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. Ruka is an Indigenous man from New Zealand with strong bicultural connections to local and interstate Aboriginal leaders. Ruka’s cultural connections greatly assist in SWRB’s engagement with a diverse range of people from Aboriginal groups and communities.
Simone Mather, Social Work Member
Simone has extensive experience in the social services sector as well as a strong background in business administration and management. After over a decade working for Life Without Barriers SA, Simone has most recently been appointed Executive Director of Out of Home Care with the Department for Child Protection SA.
Tracey Greaves, Social Work Member
Tracey is an accredited mental health social worker with over 20 years’ experience providing social work services. She joins the Board with valuable experience in the mental health social work workforce and community.
