A critical approach to understanding social policy for advocacy and action

Social Policy in Australia introduces students to the concept of social policy and its influence on the nature of our society and the lives of individual Australians. It examines the purpose and meaning of social policy, how it has operated in the past, how it operates now, and the social policy challenges for the future.

A wealth of new high-profile contributors have joined this stellar author team to deliver a comprehensive fourth edition. Updates to reflect recent developments in social policy provide currency and a greater focus on advocacy and action has been woven throughout. This text examines social policy as a discipline and an area of practice by providing students with information about how to analyse the impacts of social policy. It takes a critical approach to developing an understanding of the key players, institutions and policy areas that influence the decision-making process of social policy. It aims to equip students with the enthusiasm, skills, and knowledge they need to become an engaged and effective policy actor.

NEW TO THIS EDITION

• Heavily revised content considers recent developments in social policy including health, climate change, education, and immigration
• Contemporary examples integrated throughout the text reflect significant changes in society
• Three new chapters on contemporary areas of social policy:
  • Chapter 8 ‒ Immigration: Welfare Rights in a Temporary Immigration State
  • Chapter 10 ‒ Losing Sight: Social Security Policy in Australia
  • Chapter 12 ‒ Health and Health Care: A Contested Terrain

Part 1: Introduction to Social Policy
Chapter 1. What is Social Policy?
Chapter 2. Values, Concepts and Social Policy Design
Chapter 3. A Framework for Understanding, Advocacy and Action
Chapter 4. The Institutional Context for Social Policy
Part 2: The Historical, International and Changing Context for Action
Chapter 5. The Historical Context for Action
Chapter 6. Australian Social Policy in an International Context
Chapter 7. Changes and Challenges
Part 3: Areas for Social Policy Action
Chapter 8. Immigration: Welfare Rights in a Temporary Immigration State
Chapter 9. Unemployment Policy: Unemployment, Underemployment and Labour Market Insecurity
Chapter 10. Losing Sight: Social Security Policy in Australia
Chapter 11. Housing Policy in Australia
Chapter 12. Health and Health Care: A Contested Terrain
Chapter 13. Education Policy: Issues and Opportunities in Australian Schooling
Chapter 14. Community Services, Individualism and Markets
Chapter 15. Climate Change: An Urgent Challenge for Social Policy
Chapter 16. Taxation: Paying for Policy

Alison McClelland has extensive experience in social policy and has previously held senior positions in government, academia and the community sector.

Paul Smyth is Honorary Professor of Social Policy at the University of Melbourne.

Greg Marston is Professor of Social Policy in the School of Social Science and Deputy Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at The University of Queensland.

The following resources are available for lecturers who prescribe Social Policy in Australia, fourth edition, for their course.

• Discussion questions can be used in tutorials
• Recommended resources include references to useful websites for extra reading.

For more information about the resources for Social Policy in Australia, fourth edition, please contact your Oxford Learning Resource Consultant.

Read a sample chapter from Social Policy in Australia:

Chapter 1: What is Social Policy?