Professional bodies
The Australian Association of Social Workers
The Australian Association of Social Workers is the professional representative body of Social Workers in Australia, with 6,000 members nation-wide. The AASW is an incorporated company, guided by a constitution and nationally managed by a Board of Directors, elected from and by the membership. We also have a vibrant community of national committees and practice groups further supporting the work of the association.
Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs
The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) is dedicated to raising awareness about the problems related to the use of alcohol and other drugs, and to promoting improved standards in clinical practice and in research into this and allied subjects.
APSAD offers two major forms of professional development for health professionals. The first is the Society's scientific journal, the Drug and Alcohol Review. The second is the Annual Drug and Alcohol Conference.
The Australian Psychological Society
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the largest professional association for psychologists in Australia, representing over 20,000 members.
The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to peoples’ lives, through improving scientific knowledge and community wellbeing.
APS members form a dynamic group that advocate for psychologists at all levels of government. They are constantly promoting the contributions psychology makes to people's health and wellbeing, and to understanding important social issues facing Australian society.
Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia
Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia is the peak nursing organisation in Australasia providing leadership to nurses and midwives with a professional interest in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) issues. DANA aims for excellence and the ongoing improvement of quality care in nursing in all practice contexts. DANA also welcomes our non-professional peers who have a concurrent interest in the aims of the Association, to promote collaborative partnerships that aim to achieve similar goals.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is Australia’s largest professional general practice organisation and represents urban and rural general practitioners. RACGP represent over 20 000 members working in or towards a career in general practice and are proud that in the 2010–2011 financial year over 18 000 GPs in Australia chose to be a member of the College.
National Representative Organisations
Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia
The Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) is the peak, national, non-government organisation representing the interests of the Australian alcohol and other drugs sector, providing a national voice for people working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs.
Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)
The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) is the national peak organisation representing the state and territory drug user organisations and issues of national significance for people who use or have used illicit drugs.
Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association
The Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA) represents those using and advocating the therapeutic community model.
Australian National Council on Drugs
The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) is the principal advisory body to Government on drug policy and plays a critical role in ensuring the voice of the community is heard in relation to drug related policies and strategies.
Page last updated: 24 Oct 2011