Social Workers Registration Scheme

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection about the Social Workers Registration Scheme.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: The Social Workers Registration Board was established by the state government to oversee the scheme that requires social workers to become registered to work in South Australia from 1 July 2025.

ABC News reported on 7 March that there are fears that experienced domestic violence and child protection workers could leave the sector, which is already struggling due to workforce shortages. There are concerns within the sector that the proposed definition and guidelines for the Social Workers Registration Scheme are too broad and may unduly impact a range of experienced workers who are not social workers, such as those with public health or psychology qualifications.

ABC News also reported that two people who were appointed to the Social Workers Registration Board in 2024 have since left. In response to media inquiries, the board said it was still working through the details of who will be required to obtain registration from 1 July this year and that the scope of registration is yet to be finalised. My questions to the minister are:

1. Given that the Social Workers Registration Scheme is intended to commence on 1 July 2025, why have the scope and guidelines for the scheme not yet been finalised?

2. Can the minister explain why the two board members resigned from the Social Workers Registration Board less than one year into their three-year appointment?

3. Will the minister address the concerns that workers may leave the sector due to the confusion and stress caused by the lack of detail about how they may be impacted by a registration scheme due to commence in just three months' time?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:46): I thank the honourable member for her question. I am aware that the minister in the other place has certainly heard some of the concerns that have been raised around the Social Workers Registration Scheme and is endeavouring to work with the sector to ensure that those concerns can be overcome.

In terms of why individuals may resign from a position, I think it is worth mentioning that people can resign for any number of reasons. I think there has been strong support to have a registration scheme in place for social workers and this is something that will continue to be progressed.