Applications for membership are invited from people who are currently working or volunteering in the community sector in Australia, and from people who are unemployed or retired and wish to continue contributing to the professionalism of the sector.
Applications for membership are also invited from people currently living overseas who intend to work in Australia or who are community work practitioners in overseas locations who undertake to abide by the professional Code of Ethics of ACWA. Please note that insurance is only available for Full Members who practice in Australia.
Basics
The application for membership process depends on the type of membership you apply for. Generally, applications require evidence of relevant qualifications and/or experience in the community services sector.
To apply to be a Full Member, you must provide evidence of either of the following:
- You have graduated from an ACWA approved course and have completed appropriate field work placements.
- You have another relevant qualification, at least three years professional experience in the community sector and demonstrate attainment of the Core competencies.
Please also refer to Pathway B information sheet.
To apply to be a Student Member, you must be enrolled in an ACWA Approved welfare and community work course in Australia.
To apply to be an Affiliate Member, you must be involved in direct service delivery or governance in the community services sector or have studied a Certificate III or IV in a related course over at least 3 of the last 5 years.
For more information about member types and eligibility, see Types of membership.
Evidence
Evidence is required to determine your eligibility for membership of ACWA.
You have completed an ACWA approved course
You must provide:
- a certified copy of your Diploma or Degree from an ACWA approved course
- a report on your field work placement
If your qualification is more than 10 years old you must also provide evidence of:
- 5 years or more of PAID relevant professional experience (of at least 15 hours per week) in the past 10 years, or
- 5 years or more of professionally supervised VOLUNTARY relevant professional experience (of at least 15 hours per week) in the past 7 years, and
- 2 years or more of attendance at Professional Development seminars and workshops (at least 20 points per year — one hour equals one point).
We may request additional information to determine that field placement requirements have been met.
For information on what evidence of professional development to supply, see the Professional Development Requirements information sheet.
Additionally, if you obtained credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for more than 25% of your course units, you must provide details of the credit/RPL, as this information is used when determining eligibility. Please provide a certified copy of your credit/RPL transcript or certificate.
If you enrolled in an ACWA Approved Course on or from 1 April 2011, we may request additional information to determine that field placement requirements have been met.
You have completed another relevant qualification/Pathway B
You must provide:
- a certified copy of a Diploma qualification or above of a relevant qualification
- a report on your field work placements within that qualification
- your current curriculum vitae or resume
- the position description for your current employed or voluntary position
- a statement of service from your current organisation confirming 3 years or more of relevant professional experience (of at least 30 hours per week) in the past 10 years if you are in a PAID position. Statement of service must show the length of time you have been with the organisation, current and previous roles held within the organisation and main functions of your position
- a statement of service from your current organisation confirming 3 years or more of relevant professional experience (of at least 15 hours per week) in the past 5 years if you are in a VOLUNTARY position. Statement of service must show the length of time you have been with the organisation, current and previous roles held within the organisation and main functions of your position
- a career portfolio demonstrating achievement of the 5 Core Competencies. Case studies, articles, project plans or other documents on these competencies are required
- Refer to Pathway B information sheet.
The relevant qualification must be either:
- equivalent to an Australian Qualification Framework Diploma which has a curriculum relevant to a closely related occupation, such as working with people with a disability, working with young people, working with older people, community nursing, and psychology, or
- a Bachelor or higher degree including social science, behavioural science, psychology, sociology or other similar qualifications.
You must provide:
- a letter confirming current enrolment in a course related to the welfare and community sector, including start and end dates of the course
You must provide:
- a certified copy of Certificate III or IV qualifications
AND/OR
For individuals in direct service delivery:
- a letter from the organisation you currently work in, detailing the nature of your work, including duties performed and length of service
- a response to 3 of the Core Competencies to demonstrate your skills as a community worker
For individuals involved in governance:
- a letter from the organisation you are currently involved with, including a description of your elected or ex officio role
If you provide evidence of a relevant qualification and you obtained credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for more than 25% of your course units, you must provide details of the credit/RPL. Please provide a certified copy of your credit/RPL transcript or certificate.
Apply now
To access full membership and voting rights of your professional association and to join with other workers, volunteers and students involved with the community sector, apply now.
