AASW welcome

Welcome to the 2026 Social Work Congress, taking place on the Gold Coast from 18 to 20 November 2026. This congress comes at a significant moment for our profession, as the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) marks 80 years of leadership and advocacy in Australia. It’s a milestone that invites us to honour the legacy we’ve inherited and come together to shape what social work can become next.

Our theme 80 Years of Leadership, Shaping Tomorrow Together, reflects both the history of the AASW and the future of the social work profession.

Today, the need for that leadership is clearer than ever. Across the country, we are seeing the impact of family and domestic violence, pressure points in the NDIS and disability services, housing insecurity, aged care reform, disaster response, and the growing demands of climate justice. Alongside this is the ongoing responsibility, and urgency, to embed genuine cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to support self-determination in the policies and services that affect their lives.

Our profession faces challenges to ensure that our work is recognised, respected, and regulated, and that we use our collective voice to advocate for social justice and human rights in Australia and beyond. It’s about safeguarding the integrity of our profession in the communities we work with, and ensuring that the public can trust the expertise and competence of every social worker they encounter. Our priority is to maintain the standards of research, training and ethics, and uphold accountability, these are the foundations that have always defined social work in Australia.

This Congress is an opportunity to come together with shared purpose. Over three days, we will reflect on the issues shaping our work, share evidence and practice wisdom, and strengthen our collective voice. We will hear from keynote speakers, researchers, practitioners and advocates from Australia and overseas, and we will learn from one another through discussion, debate and connection.

2026 Social Work Congress is also about relationships across fields of practice, across jurisdictions, and across generations of social workers. It’s about renewing connections, building new networks, and recognising excellence through the AASW National Excellence Awards. I encourage you to make the most of those moments: the conversations in the hallway, the exchange of ideas over coffee, the introductions that become partnerships.

Thank you for being part of the 2026 Social Work Congress. Your participation is what gives this gathering its energy and impact. I look forward to seeing you on the Gold Coast.

Kerryn Pennell
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Association of Social Workers
(Photo: Rebecca Taylor)