Eligibility
A person is eligible to become a Member of the Society when:
- successfully completed an educational program meeting the requirements for achieving a qualification for the practice of social work in Australia; or
- satisfying the Board that, if holding an early social work qualification, that person has appropriate professional social work experience; or
- previously or currently a member of the AASW; or
- satisfying the Board that, if holding an overseas qualification, that person has undertaken assessment by AASW and have been approved to practice social work in Australia.
Membership Types
Full Membership (MSPSW)
Full Membership is granted when the individual is:
a qualified social worker, from an accredited social work course at an Australian university or assessed as holding an equivalent qualification from an overseas school of social work by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Reduced Membership (MSPSW)
Reduced Membership is a full membership, at a reduced annual fee. The individual is still required to be a qualified social worker as set out above.
There are four types of reduced membership:
Low-Income Earners
The reduced annual fee is offered to social workers who have an income that is below the low income threshold (Low income will be assessed according to the CENSUS). This type of membership requires a Statutory Declaration to be completed.
New Graduate Membership
The reduced annual fee is offered to new graduates to acknowledge that the first year out of university can be remunerated at minimum level. The SPSW Inc offers some assistance to the new social worker by offering a reduced membership fee to the end of the next financial year after graduation.
Part-Time Membership
The reduced annual fee is offered to social workers who work part-time, which is considered to be no more than 3 days or 22.5 hours or less per week.
Retired Membership
The reduced annual fee is offered to those social workers who have retired from the profession and are no longer paid employees. The SPSW Inc acknowledges the contribution these members have made in their social work career, and the contribution they can continue to make to the social work profession in their retirement years. A retired member can choose to pay the membership fee in order to continue to be covered by SPSW Inc’s professional indemnity insurance.
Life Membership
Life Membership is awarded by the Board to an individual who, in the Board’s opinion, has rendered outstanding service to the Society.
Student Membership
Student Membership is offered to an individual who is currently studying a social work degree from an accredited Australian university.*
Associate Membership
Associate Membership is offered to an individual who is a member of another social work professional body, but also wishes to be a member of the SPSW Inc and participate in localized issues and CPE events.*
Fellow Membership (FSPSW)
The Fellow Membership is granted to a member who is actively participating in a range of CPE events throughout the year and achieves the set minimum required number of points. It is monitored by the Professional Practice Committee of the SPSW Inc and signed off annually. Fellows are required to keep a log to record their CPE points. Random audits will be taken throughout the year by the Professional Practice Committee.
Read more about this here.
Membership Benefits
These benefits are available to all SPSW Inc members, with the exclusion of the Student and Associate members who do not receive Professional Indemnity Insurance and have no voting rights.
- Professional Indemnity;
- Ability to sit on the Board and or its Committees;
- Member voting rights;
- Discounts on CPE events
- A quarterly newsletter;
- Access to an email system with community sector-orientated information;
- An employment locum advertisement service;
- WA-based networking opportunities;
- The SPSW Inc website
- Member of Shoprite
Membership Policy here
Membership Fees
Membership fees are paid on an annual basis, ie for a period of 12 months. Annual renewals are due and payable each financial year from July to June. Membership fees (GST inclusive) were revised in 2014.
| Membership Type | Early Bird Price Payment Between 1st May – 30th June | Full Amount Payment After 1st July |
|---|---|---|
| Full/Fellow Membership | $380 | $390 |
| Reduced Fee Membership: | ||
| Low income Earners | $290 | $310 |
| New Graduate Membership | $290 | $310 |
| Part-time Membership | $265 | $285 |
| Retired Membership | $200 | $220 |
| Life Membership | $0 | $0 |
| Student Membership | $85 | $95 |
| Associate Membership | $140 | $150 |
How to Apply
Details of where to lodge your application & other requirements are on the membership application form.
Your application needs to be submitted in writing & include:
- A completed application;
- A copy of your academic qualifications; or
- Details of current or recent membership of AASW (if applicable); or
- Details of your approved overseas qualifications assessment by AASW (if applicable)
Type-in Membership Form here
Printable Membership Form here
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Membership of the SPSW includes, for full fee pay members, professional indemnity (PI) insurance.
The PI policy is presently with Vero Profin and the insurer requires that members are aware of the duty of disclosure.
Currently we are aware that some members tender for government and other types of tenders and are required to have Public Liability cover. For more information about this separate insurance cover and the fees involved please contact the Executive Officer on eo@spsw.net.au
Duty of Disclosure information here
Membership Renewal
Membership is due for renewal on the 1st July each year.
The membership form that needs to be completed and sent in with your payment is the same as that for new members. Follow the instructions on the form for the sections requiring completion for membership renewal.