Social Policy & Advocacy Officer

• Flexible location
• Full time
• Drive impactful advocacy

The Position

This position will have a primary focus on advocating for the profession and more specifically on driving new opportunities for the AASWs social worker members though policy analysis the development of innovative policy solutions and executing successful advocacy campaigns. The position will review and analyse policy and develop submissions reports research briefing papers and organisational policy positions with a focus on mental health schemes and settings. The position will formulate and drive advocacy initiatives to progress improvements to the design of schemes to effect change for social workers.

A key focus includes advocacy to existing publicly funded schemes for better working conditions including professional recognition and fair and equitable remuneration as well as advocacy for inclusion on new public and private schemes. This will require a good understanding of how to influence stakeholders via different platforms including social media. The role will also assist with government and stakeholder engagement to engage relevant policy and decision makers such as Ministers advisors and other Parliamentarians and public sector staff in relevant government departments and agencies.

About the Association

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is the professional representative body of social workers in Australia with more than 17000 members. The AASW sets the benchmarks for professional education and practice in social work and has a strong voice on matters of social justice human rights and issues that impact upon the quality of life of all Australians.

What our team thinks

We are proud to share highlights from our recent staff culture survey. Responding with strongly agree or agree our team reports:

94% find professional meaning in my work

88% are proud to work with us

90% would recommend the AASW as a good place to work

Your Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and critically analyse policy and develop robust and innovative policy solutions to national and state/territory government initiatives policy and proposed legislation that impacts on or is an opportunity for the profession of social work;
• Write compelling and tailored policy solutions and value propositions of the social work profession for external private stakeholders in the mental health and care workforce settings;
• Assist in engaging and cultivating relationships with important stakeholders and drive policy proposals to successful outcomes including understanding their requirements and processes to establish our own internal processes and communication to our members;
• Engage effectively with members to understand their advocacy priorities and translate practice wisdom into strong policy solutions
• Undertake research including utilising data collection methods;
• Prepare high level advice and briefing papers for executive management and for external audiences;
• Use systems thinking and analytical skills to identify new and emerging professional opportunities for AASW members and develop policy recommendations and supporting advocacy documents;
• Represent the AASW at government and other bodies consultations enquiries and hearings meetings events to advocate on behalf of the profession;
• Respond to AASW member enquiries; and Undertake other project and advocacy related activities as directed by the Manager.

Key selection criteria:

• Tertiary qualifications in social work business law allied health social policy project management or equivalent.
• At least five years experience in a professional organisational environment.
• Demonstrated experience of analysing policy and developing innovative policy solutions and submissions.
• Demonstrated experience of delivering advocacy campaigns and outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging directing influencing and managing stakeholders to achieve high quality policy and advocacy outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research including effective use of data collection tools (such as surveys questionnaires focus and consultation groups) and producing high level reports for various audiences.
• Demonstrated experience preparing high quality advice and briefing papers suitable for executive level audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills with proven aptitude for communicating effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring social media trends and has a good understanding of how to influence stakeholders via different platforms including social media.

Desirable Requirements

• Understanding of and/or practice experience in the public and private mental health and health sectors.
• Understanding of and/or practice experience in the various sectors in which social workers are employed.

How to Apply

The AASW is committed to equal opportunities in employment and embraces diversity and inclusion in its workforce. We encourage applications from culturally and ethnically diverse communities particularly those underrepresented in the social work profession including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people with a disability.

To be considered for this role your application must include your rsum and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria listed above.

Applications close 31st of July 2025 however we reserve the right to end the closing date early.

Please direct any queries to: