Episode 26: Social Work Registration in Australia: Why We Need It Now with Brooke Kooymans

This episode is being released during the week of World Social Work Day (17 March), making it a timely and important conversation for our profession.In Australia, social work is not nationally registered.Which means, technically, anyone can call themselves a social worker.That might sound surprising. Or even confronting.In this episode, I’m joined by Brooke Kooymans, an experienced social worker and sector advocate, to unpack what national registration actually means, why it’s being actively debated right now, and what’s at stake if nothing changes.We explore:What national registration is (and what it isn’t)Why title protection matters for public safety and professional accountabilityThe risks of anyone being able to call themselves a social workerHow the lack of registration contributes to role ambiguity and psychosocial hazards in workplacesWhat’s currently happening at a national policy level, including the proposed new regulatory frameworkCommon concerns and differing views within the professionAs Brooke shared, national registration ultimately comes down to protection, recognition, and accountabilityThis isn’t just a “social work issue.”It shapes how professions are understood, how accountability is upheld, and how safe our systems actually are for the people we support.Connect with Brooke:Rehability AustraliaLinkedInGet involved in the conversation around National Social Work RegistrationNational Social Work Network (LinkedIn)National Social Work Network (Facebook Group)Connect With Me/Work with me:InstagramWebsiteBoundaries as Practitioners (self-paced training)Upcoming Group Supervision