Member benefits

Members can get professional help and support over the phone. In the past, Community Work Australia has provided guidance on a range of ethical issues, helped with workplace bullying issues and disciplinary procedures, assisted with confusion around performance appraisals, and helped identify fraud in organisations. We’ve assisted students in tackling issues with education providers and run question-and-answer sessions. 

Community Work Australia members must abide by the Code of Ethics and ensure that they are working according to the highest ethical standards in the industry. Members receive practice guidelines, which help them provide services that positively impact the community.

Get access to a network of resources and publications with your Community Work Australia membership. The members-only portal has a centralised collection of information sheets and links to relevant podcasts to assist you with professional development. Whether you want to improve your practice or gain employability skills, the members portal can provide you with the right resources to help with a job search. You also get our monthly newsletter, which contains topical information and reports relevant to community work. You can access and contribute to Community Work Australia’s peer-reviewed journal, the Australian Journal of Community Work.

A current national police check is often a condition of employment. Community Work Australia memberships offer quick, easy, and discounted national police checks performed by National Crime Check (NCC). The turnaround time is approximately 48 hours.

As a Community Work Australia member, you will be encouraged to undertake 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per year to maintain and develop your skills. Members get regular access and discounts to training opportunities endorsed by Community Work Australia, which can be displayed on your resume. You can also meet the 20 hours of CPD through training provided by your employer.

Members are covered by Community Work Australia’s insurance, which provides professional indemnity and public and products liability cover if you provide community work.

Member profiles are added to the public listing to help future employers verify their professional standing.

As a for-purpose company limited by guarantee, members have voting rights in the organisation. They are consulted on issues of significance.