About Us

General Information

The Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Inc. (AIWCW) is the recognised professional body for welfare and community workers in Australia and was founded in 1969. It represents at a national and state level the interests of welfare and community workers employed within government departments, non-government social welfare agencies, self help groups, commercial and industrial enterprises.

The institute is a means by which welfare and community workers can come together through national and branch meetings, enabling them to share and benefit from their combined knowledge and experience.

AIWCW has played a major role in the establishment of formalised training for welfare and community workers and is generally recognised as the body for registration and accreditation of courses designed to meet the training needs of the welfare and community worker profession.

Aims

  • To promote public awareness of the aims and objectives of the welfare and community workers profession
  • To promote relevant education and training of persons engaged in, or desirous of undertaking, welfare and community work
  • To identify and document standards of knowledge, training, conduct and experience required for the competent practice of welfare and community work
  • To register qualified persons and to encourage members to maintain the highest standards in the practice of welfare and community work as enshrined in the AIWCW Code of Ethics
  • To uphold the rights and improve, protect and foster the interests of its members
  • Through liaison with appropriate industry bodies to maintain the employment standards of the welfare and community work field
  • To influence social change where inconsistencies, deficiencies and injustices appear in the welfare and community work field
  • To consult with associated organisations within the welfare and community work industry

How the institute is structured and operates

The institute is a national organisation with a National Executive elected every three years by the total membership. As well as formal office-bearers, there are a number of portfolio areas of responsibilities such as Membership, Communications, Finance and Administration, etc.

The National Office is located in Melbourne, and is responsible for all membership matters, including general enquiries, assessment of applications, receipt of fees and distribution of membership documentation. The national Office distributes a proportion of fees and membership lists to the Branches, which provide more immediate contact with members.

Each branch elects an Executive Committee, which administers the business of the Branch. Every two years each Branch elects a delegate to the National Executive to represent the views of the Branch. There is also provision for representation of Student Members at the National Executive Annual Meeting which is held before the end of November.

Branch office bearers are honorary positions and may change each year - current contact details are available from the National Office.

Who is a Welfare & Community Worker

A person, who, through professional training and field education, has the requisite values, attitudes, knowledge and skills to work autonomously, or within a team, in a social welfare agency or community program intended to promote, relieve or restore the social functioning of individuals, families, social groups or larger communities.

Trained welfare and community workers undertake a broad range of employment roles within government departments, local councils, hospitals, non-government welfare agencies and in some industries. Not all of these roles bear the title "welfare worker" or "community worker". Occupational titles which employ people with welfare and community studies include:

Community Worker, Project Officer, Counsellor, Program Co-ordinator, Youth Worker, Group Worker, Disabilities Worker, Case Manager, Residential Care Worker, Child Protection Worker, Home and Community Care Worker, Neighbourhood Centre Co-ordinator. (Click Here) for more detailed information about some of the occupations which are considered appropriate to welfare workers