Social Workers Registration Act 2021

Subject to this Act, the Board must give to all of the parties to proceedings before the Board under this Part at least 14 days written notice of the time and place at which it intends to conduct the proceedings, and must afford to the parties a reasonable opportunity to call and give evidence, to examine or cross‑examine witnesses, and to make submissions to the

Board.

However, the Board may, if it thinks special reasons exist for doing so, give a lesser period of written notice under subsection (1).

The requirement to give written notice under subsection (1) does not extend to adjournments.

If a party to whom notice has been given under subsection (1) does not attend at the time and place fixed by the notice, the Board may proceed to hear and determine the matter in the absence of that party.

The Board may, if of the opinion that it is desirable to do so in the public interest—

suspend the registration of the person the subject of the proceedings; or

impose conditions on the person's registration restricting the person's right to provide social work services, pending hearing and determination of the proceedings.

The complainant, and any other person who is aggrieved by the conduct of a person that is the subject‑matter of proceedings before the

Board under this Part, is, subject to any direction of the Board to the contrary, entitled to be present at the hearing of the proceedings.

In the course of proceedings before the Board under this Part, the

Board may—

receive in evidence a transcript of evidence taken in proceedings before a court, tribunal or other body constituted under the law of South

Australia or of any other State or a Territory of Australia or of another country, and draw any conclusions of fact from the evidence that it considers proper; and

adopt, as in its discretion it considers proper, any findings, decision, judgment, or reasons for judgment, of any such court, tribunal or body that may be relevant to the proceedings.

The Board must conduct proceedings under this Part as expeditiously as possible (and must, if the Board has taken action under subsection (5), hear and determine the proceedings as a matter of urgency).