Social workers and social activism in Victoria, Australia

In an era of small government and continued structural oppression, many social workers are compelled to engage in social and political activism. This article reports in-depth interviews with ten prominent social workers in Victoria, Australia about their social action. Attention is drawn to professional, ideological, and educational influences; links with social work education, values, skills, and identity; political, professional, educational, or organizational factors that may alternatively enhance or limit social activism. In addition, suggestions are made regarding changes to social work education, values, and professional bodies that may potentially facilitate greater social work involvement in social action.