Barriers to Studying Social Work in Australia for Unvaccinated People

Abstract

ABSTRACT Australian higher education providers (HEPs) gatekeep access to social work education using academic credentials, as well as criminal history checks. Some HEPs take an “as needed” approach to vaccination, while some add vaccination status as a gatekeeping criterion, and eligibility to study can be contingent upon all prospective students being fully vaccinated. We examined the websites of the 32 Australian HEPs that offered accredited social work programs at the time of the study, to determine the extent to which mandatory vaccination was required. Of these, 28% (n = 9) specified that students must be fully vaccinated in order to participate in compulsory field placements, irrespective of the requirements of placement agencies. Of these 9 HEPs, 7 had their social work programs located in a health or allied health school. IMPLICATIONS The choice of where to study social work in Australia is reduced for some prospective students by HEP policies that require mandatory vaccination The rationale for mandating vaccinations for social work students by some HEPs is unclear, and may be related to programs being co-located in health focused schools/departments, or a reflection of a broader emphasis on risk management Mandating vaccination for no compelling reason is at odds with broader public policy principles and may conflict with human rights principles, which are fundamental to social work