No images? Click here
Acknowledgement of Country
The Social Workers Registration Board of South Australia (SWRB SA) acknowledges that the land we work on is the traditional lands of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and we pay our respects to elders, past and present. The SWRB SA acknowledges and respects that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the First Nations people of this country and recognises them as traditional owners and occupants of South Australian land and waters. The SWRB SA acknowledges the violence of the colonial past and social work’s part in this history and the impacts colonisation continues to have on First Nations people. The SWRB SA acknowledges the strong and enduring connection to land and culture for First Nations people.
From the Presiding Member
As we conclude our Board meetings for the year, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on some of the milestones for the SWRB. Since the establishment of the Board in May, we have held 10 Board meetings, where we have discussed fit and proper policy, registration pathways, fees, the description of the scope of practice, the social work services definition, exclusions, as well as continuing the discussion about the establishment of the Aboriginal Governance Group as a Committee of the Board. We have also received training in conflict of interest, confidentiality, and regulation.
I want to express my appreciation to all of the Board members, office staff, stakeholders, and the sector for their contributions and commitment to advancing social worker registration. Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to continue our work together as we reach key regulatory milestones to strengthen the social work profession.
From the Director
As we near the close of the year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the progress made by the Social Workers Registration Board.
This year, we have successfully established our 7-member Board and an office of 12 dedicated staff members. We have also initiated the development of our registration portal and website. In addition, we have built critical processes for engaging with Parliament and Cabinet, as well as internal governance structures that support our transition from the establishment phase to a fully operational regulator. Furthermore, we have set up essential human resources and finance functions to support our ongoing work.
A key focus of our efforts this year has been engaging with the human services sector to define the social work services and scope of practice. This process has presented challenges as we have worked to balance the regulatory requirements and legislative intent with the impact on the sector. Our goal has been to create a definition of social work that demands high standards of accountability and accreditation and a strong professional identity for social workers.
We are pleased to announce the Social Work Services and Scope of Practice Consultation Report is now on our website (click link below). This consultation, held from August 6 to September 9, 2024, provided valuable insights that shaped the development of the second draft of the definitions. The report details our methodology, data collection, analysis, and findings, and has been instrumental in guiding the second phase of consultation, which has now concluded.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue collaborating with the sector and to reach the significant milestone of July 2025, when we will begin the registration of social workers.
Stay Connected
Visit our FAQ’s on the website: swrb.sa.gov.au if you have any questions or email us on swrb@sa.gov.au.
