Wishful thinking is not enough: Political advocacy and the leadership of the Australian Council of Heads of Social Work Education

Abstract The Australian Council of Heads of Social Work Education has successfully engaged in political advocacy on behalf of higher education providers. Most recently this has resulted in the inclusion of social work students, along with students in nursing and teaching being eligible for the new Commonwealth Prac Payment which is being introduced in 2025. This article provides an overview of how this peak body has developed expertise in political advocacy as well as the organizational resources and infrastructure required to support such endeavours. Some of the lessons that have been learned concern working with other stakeholders, an ability to be pragmatic, and the potential of social media. This article concludes that if social work educators desire policy change, investing time, and resources is more likely to result in success than wishful thinking.