As you may know there have been significant changes to the funding of higher education by the Australian Government. On 13 December 2020, the Australian Government, Department of Education, Skills and Employment introduced a new ‘professional pathway’ stream for students studying Youth Work, and recognised the YWA as the accrediting body for Youth Work degrees nationally.

A Professional Pathway Youth Work degree is one in which it is compulsory for students to undertake the units relevant to professional registration as a Youth Worker. This also means that for students enrolled in an accredited Professional Pathway degree in Youth Work, that units in Human Welfare Studies and Services (FOE codes starting with 0905) will be considered part of the professional pathway and charged at a lower rate than other social science units. Please follow the link for more information https://www.dese.gov.au/professional-pathways

As a result of these changes and in recognition of the national role that the YWA is playing in accrediting and recognising professional youth workers across Australia, the board of the YWA have decided to change the name of the association to Youth Workers Australia. This historic change was put to a vote of members at an extraordinary general meeting held on 22 July and was unanimously endorsed. The YWA will continue to liaise with existing and/or emerging state based bodies and will continue to accept membership applications from any person who has undertaken a recognised Youth Work qualification and meets the criteria for membership. See link for more information on YWA membership

A big thank you to everyone who has supported us at the YWA, we look forward to continuing our work as Youth Workers Australia!