25 June, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the minister representing the Minister for Human Services on the topic of the Social Workers Registration Scheme.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Malinauskas government committed $4.7 million to establish the Social Workers Registration Scheme to be administered by the Social Workers Registration Board. I understand the scheme was due to commence in July 2025, but late last week, without notice to the sector, it was abandoned by the government citing cost-of-living challenges. My question to the minister representing the Minister for Human Services is:
1. How much of the $4.7 million budget allocation has already been spent on the failed scheme?
2. Will the remaining money be diverted to cost-of-living relief?
3. Will the government abandon the registration of other professionals due to cost-of-living pressures, or is this something being reserved for social workers?
The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Tourism) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am happy to seek further response from the minister in the other house.
13 August 2026
In reply to Hon. RA Simms (25 June 2026):
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- How much of the $4.7 million budget allocation has already been spent on the failed scheme?
- Will the remaining money be diverted to cost-of-living relief?
- Will the government abandon the registration of other professionals due to cost-of-living pressures, or is this something being reserved for social workers?
Hon Emily Bourke MLC: "The Minister for Child Protection has advised:
The revised budget was $4.5 million for this project. Expenditure included staffing costs, development of the website and portal and other operating expenses.
The cost to social workers was expected to be several hundred dollars per year per social worker. With more than 4,000 social workers in South Australia, the government's decision to cancel the scheme saves a conservative estimate of over a million dollars per year for social workers.
The Office of the Social Workers Registration Scheme and Board undertook extensive sector engagement and readiness work, which provides a strong foundation for strengthening professional development across the sector for current practitioners and the next generation of social workers.
The work will also be made available to the Commonwealth Government, should there be a future desire to introduce a scheme at a federal level.