Australian Social Work Students’ Perceptions of Social Work

Limited research has examined student perspectives on professional identity formation within the Australian context, highlighting the importance of investigating student voices. This study explored Australian students’ perceptions of social work and how they believe social work is viewed by others. The qualitative study utilised focus groups to gather the perspectives of 16 students currently studying a Bachelor or Master of social work at La Trobe University. Reflexive thematic analysis provided insight into the participants’ experiences and perceptions of social work and their perceptions of public sentiment towards social work. Findings indicated that students perceived the public as misunderstanding social work, yet they remained motivated and proud to become social workers, while identifying areas for improvement in social work education and practice. These insights contribute to understanding professional identity development among emerging practitioners, highlight the need for structured supports to strengthen student confidence, and offer implications for social work education and workforce planning.IMPLICATIONS Understanding students' concerns about professional status can inform strategies to strengthen graduate social work identity.Ongoing concerns regarding professional status and registration indicate the need for clearer articulation and reinforcement of social work’s professional identity in Australia.Students’ perspectives provide valuable guidance for enhancing social work education and practice.