Practical Ethics Series
Australian Community Workers Code of Ethics
Most professions expect their members to meet The Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) code
of ethics sets the foundation for exemplary community work
a standard of ethical behaviour; this requirement
practice and is the benchmark for all practitioners. As the
is often formalised through a code of ethics. In professional association for community workers ACWA has
the case of community work ethical behaviour is defined a community work practitioner as a person who holds
a relevant qualification and has the values, knowledge and
essential because practitioners often work with the
skills to work independently or with others in an agency or
most vulnerable and marginalised groups of people program intended to facilitate or ensure social inclusion. The
in our society. This practitioner-client relationship community worker is therefore expected to acknowledge and
respect the worth of all individuals regardless of their race,
may be defined in a number of ways but in this
religion, age, gender, sexual and gender diversity, and other
document it is taken to mean the relationship individual differences.
that has resulted through the engagement of an
Conduct opposed to the full recognition of human dignity and
individual, group, or community with the services individual rights within the community worker’s professional
of a community worker. practice shall be considered improper and unacceptable
within the community work profession and to the Australian
Community Workers Association.
Principles underlying the code of ethics
1. Every human being, regardless of race, religion, gender, age,
sexual and gender diversity, or other individual differences
has a right to maximise his or her potential providing it does
not infringe upon the rights of others.
2. Social inclusion is a human right where every individual has
an active role to play in society and has the expectation
of full social, educational and economic participation.
An inclusive society is based on the fundamental values
of equity, equality, social justice, and human rights and
freedoms, as well as on the principles of tolerance and
embracing diversity.
Australian Community Workers Code of Ethics
Most professions expect their members to meet The Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) code
of ethics sets the foundation for exemplary community work
a standard of ethical behaviour; this requirement
practice and is the benchmark for all practitioners. As the
is often formalised through a code of ethics. In professional association for community workers ACWA has
the case of community work ethical behaviour is defined a community work practitioner as a person who holds
a relevant qualification and has the values, knowledge and
essential because practitioners often work with the
skills to work independently or with others in an agency or
most vulnerable and marginalised groups of people program intended to facilitate or ensure social inclusion. The
in our society. This practitioner-client relationship community worker is therefore expected to acknowledge and
respect the worth of all individuals regardless of their race,
may be defined in a number of ways but in this
religion, age, gender, sexual and gender diversity, and other
document it is taken to mean the relationship individual differences.
that has resulted through the engagement of an
Conduct opposed to the full recognition of human dignity and
individual, group, or community with the services individual rights within the community worker’s professional
of a community worker. practice shall be considered improper and unacceptable
within the community work profession and to the Australian
Community Workers Association.
Principles underlying the code of ethics
1. Every human being, regardless of race, religion, gender, age,
sexual and gender diversity, or other individual differences
has a right to maximise his or her potential providing it does
not infringe upon the rights of others.
2. Social inclusion is a human right where every individual has
an active role to play in society and has the expectation
of full social, educational and economic participation.
An inclusive society is based on the fundamental values
of equity, equality, social justice, and human rights and
freedoms, as well as on the principles of tolerance and
embracing diversity.
