Recognition and representation
Be recognised as a practitioner who has met the industry standard of the profession and where your skills, experience, and education are of enormous value to the community. ACWA continually strives to raise public awareness of the value of a qualified and skilled community work workforce in a civil society such as Australia. As a member you can contribute to the development of ACWA policy positions on a range of issues that affect the community and the community work response. Have your say through surveys, consultations and social media.
Voting rights
As a for-purpose company limited by guarantee, members have voting rights in the organisation, and you can expect to be consulted on issues of significance. The organisation’s Vision and Mission can be accessed here.
Please note: student members do not have voting rights.
Employability
Increasingly, third party endorsement demonstrating your professional standing is becoming a standard recruitment criterion for many state and local government agencies and not-for-profit organisations. Members can be added to the ‘Find a member’ public listing which allows employers and clients to verify your standing as a qualified community worker.
If you are not working, membership will keep you connected to the sector and provide an avenue through which you can maintain currency or share your expertise.
Publications and resources
You will receive the curated monthly newsletter which contains topical information, research and reports relevant to community work. You can also access, and contribute to ACWA’s peer reviewed journal, the Australian Journal of Community Work. The ‘members’ only’ portal houses a centralised collection of information sheets, a library, links to relevant podcasts and resources to assist you in your day-to-day practice or professional development.
Insurance
Members are covered by ACWA’s insurance policy which provides professional indemnity and public and products liability cover for the provision of community work. Read the ACWA insurance infosheet for details.
Please note: student members are not covered by our insurance policy.
Professional support
ACWA members are only a phone call away from professional help and support. Over time we have provided guidance in workplace bullying issues, talked through the confusion of performance appraisals versus disciplinary procedures, helped identify fraud in organisations, assisted student members in tackling issues with education providers and run question and answer sessions on a myriad of ethical issues.
Professional development
Most professions require or recommend that practitioners maintain and develop their skills by undertaking annual professional development. As an ACWA member you will be asked to undertake 20 hours of professional development (CPD) per year. You will be alerted to quality, training opportunities we have endorsed via email each month. You are also at liberty to meet the 20 hours of CPD in a variety of ways including accessing training through your employer. Over the next few months, we intend to implement changes in this space including accreditation opportunities.
Discounted police checks
A current national police check is a commonplace condition of employment. We offer quick, easy, and discounted checks performed by National Crime Check (NCC), an agency accredited by the Commonwealth Government to perform police checks. The turnaround time is usually under 48 hours.
