About this journal

Australian Social Work is an international peer-reviewed journal reflecting current thinking and trends in Social Work. The Journal promotes the development of practice, policy and education, and publishes original research, theoretical papers and critical reviews that build on existing knowledge. The Journal also publishes reviews of relevant professional literature, commentary and analysis of social policies and encourages debate in the form of reader commentary on articles.

Australian Social Work has grown out of the Australian context and continues to provide a vehicle for Australian and international authors. The Journal invites submission of papers from authors worldwide and all contributors are encouraged to present their work for an international readership.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians, whose lands, winds, and waters we all now share, and pay respect to their unique values, and their continuing and enduring cultures, which deepen and enrich the life of our nation and communities.

The aims and scope of Australian Social Work demonstrate commitment to acknowledging and understanding the historical and contemporary injustice and disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the implications of this for knowledge development, practice, policy, and education.

Peer Review Policy:

All articles in this journal have undergone a rigorous anonymous peer review process which involves initial screening by the Editors, refereeing by two anonymous reviewers and the Editors’ final decision to publish according to the journal’s publishing criteria.

Editor
Susan Gair, James Cook University, Australia

Associate Editors
Cindy Davis, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Abner Weng Cheong Poon, University of New South Wales, Australia

Reviews Editor
Helen Hickson, Central Queensland University, Australia

Social Media Editor
Lynelle Watts, Curtin University, Australia

Editorial Board Chair
Debbie Plath, Australian Catholic University, Australia

Assistant Editor
Josepha Wilson ( [email protected])

Editorial Board
David Hodgson, Curtin University, Australia
Fiona McDermott, Monash University, Australia
Alankaar Sharma, University of Wollongong, Australia
Rosemary Sheehan, Monash University, Australia
Marianne Wyder, Metro South Health, Australia

International Advisory Board
Liz Beddoe, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Simon Chan, University of Vermont, USA
Trevor Gates-Crandall, Colorado State University, USA
Emily Keddell, University of Otago, New Zealand
Susan Kemp, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Abel Knochel, University of Minnesota—Duluth, USA
Jie Lei, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Elizabeth Lightfoot, Arizona State University School of Social Work and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, USA
Sabine Pfeffer, Fulda University, Germany
Miriam Potocky, Florida International University, USA
Roger Smith, Durham University, UK
Anao Zhang, University of Michigan, USA

Editorial Advisors
Lisa Brophy, La Trobe University, Australia
Kristy Clancy, James Cook University, Australia
Ilan Katz, University of New South Wales, Australia
Donna McAuliffe, Griffith University, Australia
Phillip Mendes, Monash University, Australia
BJ Newton, University of New South Wales, Australia
Rosalie Pockett, The University of Sydney, Australia
Zalia Powell, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Anne-Maree Sawyer, La Trobe University, Australia
Clare Tilbury, Griffith University, Australia

News, offers and calls for papers

News and offers

• Australian Social Work Code of Practice
• Special subscription rates available for ACWA & ANZASW members. See Society Information page.
• View the Article Collection on Australian First Nations Peoples' Voices

Members of the following groups can receive an individual print subscription to Australian Social Work at a special society member rate.

• Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) - AUS$112 (Quote: XD13701W)
  
• Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) - AUS$116 (Quote: XD13702W)
  
• Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) - AUS$112 (Quote: XD13701W)
  

Contact

+44 (0)20 8052 0501

Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

The AASW is the professional representative body of social workers in Australia. It was formed in 1946 at the federal level, although a number of state branches had formed prior to this. It has a code of ethics which contains a set of principles agreed to by all members. These principles guide all social work practice.

The code stresses the importance of working in the best interest of the client and of keeping each clients affairs confidential, except where there are overriding legal, moral or ethical reasons.

Objectives of the AASW:

• To promote the profession of social work.
• To provide an organisation through which social workers can develop a professional identity.
• To establish, monitor and improve practice standards.
• To contribute to the development of social work knowledge and research.
• To advocate on behalf of clients.
• To actively support social structures and policies pursuant to the promotion of social justice.

Definition of social work [adopted at the June 1997 Board of Directors meeting]

Social work is the profession committed to the pursuit of social justice, to the enhancement of the quality of life and the development of the full potential of each individual, group and community in society. Social workers pursue these goals by working to address the barriers, inequalities, and injustices that exist in society, and by active involvement in situations of personal distress and crisis. This is done by working with individuals towards the realisation of their intellectual, physical and emotional potentials, and by working with individuals, groups and communities in the pursuit and achievement of equitable access to social, economic and political resources. Social workers also pursue their goals:

• Through involvement in research, policy development and analysis, consultancy, and management.
• Work with individuals, groups and communities to shape and change the conditions in which they live.
• Advocate for disadvantaged members of society.
• Work towards the elimination of structural inequalities in society to facilitate a more equitable distribution of resources.
• Engage in research