Ethics and standards

For community workers the requirement for ethical practice is absolute.

Community Work Australia, formerly the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), has set ethical and practice benchmarks for community workers in accordance with industry and public expectations. These professional standards are presented in the Australian Community Workers’ Code of Ethics and the Australian Community Work Practice Guidelines.

While these two documents can be downloaded individually, they are not designed to be standalone. Working to a set of clear guidelines within a strong ethical framework is essential.

Community Work Australia members can be held accountable for breaches of the Code.

Australian Community Workers Code of Ethics

A code of ethics is an explicit document that lays down the expectations of a professional working in the field. Community Work Australia members agree to the Code of ethics and demonstrate adherence to the code in every aspect of their professional life. Members can be held accountable for breaches of the Code.

Community Work Australia-Code-Of-Ethics-Dec-2024

Preferred citation: Community Work Australia (2024) Community Work Australia Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://communitywork.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Community-Work-Australia-Code-Of-Ethics-Dec-2024.pdf

Australian Community Work Practice Guidelines and Tools

The Australian Community Work Practice Guidelines complement the Code of Ethics and provide a guide to all community workers. Previously known as Practice Standards, this document includes indicators and is matched with a self-assessment tool for practitioners to identify skill gaps and training needs. A supervisor-supported assessment tool is also available and has been designed for a practitioner and supervisor to work through together, making it ideal for performance reviews.

Community Work Australia-Practice-Guidelines-Dec-2024

Preferred citation: Community Work Australia (2024) Australian Community Work Practice Guidelines. Retrieved from https://communitywork.org.au/workers/ethicsandstandards/ACWA-Practice-guidelines-Aug-2021.pdf

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Combined guide

Australian Community Workers Ethics and Good Practice Guide-Dec-2024

Preferred citation: Community Work Australia (2024) Australian Community Workers Ethics and Good Practice Guide. Retrieved from https://communitywork.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Good-Practice-Guide-2024.pdf

Employer Code of Practice

The Employer Code of Practice is a framework that can be adopted by employers and followed through with concrete policies and procedures. The Code has been designed to be publicly displayed in a work space thereby increasing the organisation’s visible commitment to staff.

Community Work Australia -Employer-Code-generic
Community Work Australia-Employer-Code-custom