Australian Social Work History Network
In 2025 The University of Sydney School of Education and Social Work, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne’s Department of Social Work is establishing a the Australian Social Work History Network. This is timely as 2029 will be the centenary of the first formal social work education in Australia.
The first formal social work education commenced in Sydney in 1929 and in Melbourne in 1930. In 1935 they were joined by Adelaide.
In 1940 both the Universities of Sydney and of Melbourne welcomed Social Work into their universities, their local courses having been deemed to have met a suitable educational level for a university. Adelaide followed in 1942.
These three courses alone carried the education of Australian social workers until 1956 when Social Work education was established at the University of Queensland.
In 2025 Sydney and Melbourne’s first university courses will be 85 years old and the Australian Association of Social Workers which was established by graduates and staff of these universities will celebrate its 80th birthday next year in 2026.
Understanding social work history is important in helping social workers to understand themselves and the environment in which they practice.
It contributes to the forging of a positive personal and professional identity. Many debates and dilemmas have recurred over the 80 years of Australian social work. An understanding of the past can help understand and resolve problems of the present.
It has been argued that understanding our past will help to guarantee our future.
Initially this will be an informal network of social work academics and practitioners. It is anticipated that in time historians, archivists, researchers, educators, students and social policy makers may join the group.
The group is inspired by and loosely based on the British Social Work History Network which was established in 2000 and is led by Stephen Martineau of King’s College London.
This website will act as a resource for researchers including students with an interest in Australian social work history. Across this website we will profile previous and current projects and web based resources, with view to support new and exciting endeavours.
If you are interested in sharing and showcasing your social work history projects, please get in contact with the Network to further discuss.
We look forward to creating this shared conversation whilst celebrating Australian social work history.
