Home / ProjectsProjects

Experience that
informs the next step.

More than a decade of course development, accreditation and research projects with universities, higher education providers and training organisations across Australia.

Current projects

What we are
working on now.

New social work and community services courses moving through TEQSA and AASW accreditation for delivery from 2027.

Course development & governance2024–2026

Alliance Higher Education Institute

A new Bachelor of Social Work for Adelaide

We managed the development and provisional accreditation of a new Bachelor of Social Work, academic policies and procedures, and the Course Advisory Committee. Our managing director continues as Chair of Social Work.

2027first intake of international students in Adelaide
Accreditation submission2026

Lincoln Institute of Higher Education

A new MSW(Q) and pathway Graduate Certificate

We managed the accreditation submission for a new MSW(Q), to be accredited in late 2026, and developed a new pathway Graduate Certificate, now submitted to TEQSA for approval.

2027delivery in Sydney
Course development & governance2026

Gateway Business College

A new MSW(Q) and pathway Graduate Certificate

We are developing both courses for submission to TEQSA and AASW in late 2026, with approval expected in mid-2027, and managing the new Social Work Course Advisory Committee.

Mid-2027expected approval
Accreditation submission2026

Crown Institute of Higher Education

A new MSW(Q), Bachelor of Social Work and Graduate Diploma

We are managing the accreditation submission for all three courses, to be lodged with AASW in late 2026.

Early 2027expected approval
VET advisory & strategy2025–2026

Institute of Health Services

Strategy for a new registered training organisation

We advise on community and health services VET courses and support strategic planning for a new Melbourne RTO offering aged care training and education.

Completed projects

Courses now
changing lives.

Courses we developed and accredited between 2015 and 2025 now enrol more than 1,100 students across Victoria, NSW and South Australia.

Course development & accreditation2015–2020

Federation University Australia

A new MSW(Q) and a reformed Bachelor of Community & Human Services

We managed course development and accreditation for both courses, which are now delivered to domestic and international students across four campuses in regional Victoria.

500+students across four regional campuses
Course development & accreditation2020–2023

Institute of Health & Management

A new Bachelor of Social Work and a new social work team

We developed and accredited a new Bachelor of Social Work, provided interim Head of School leadership to establish a new team of social work educators, and developed course proposals for an MSW(Q) and a Master of Public Health.

300+international students in Melbourne
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Course development & accreditation2024

University of Notre Dame Australia

A new Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

We developed and accredited a new MSW(Q) for international and domestic students.

100+students in Sydney
Accreditation appeal & course review2025

Sydney Metropolitan Institute

A successful AASW accreditation appeal

We managed a successful appeal to AASW about the accreditation of an MSW(Q), reviewed the MSW(Q) and Bachelor of Social Work, and developed the framework for a new Bachelor of Community Services.

SuccessfulAASW accreditation appeal
Course frameworks & submissions2026

American College

Frameworks for an MSW(Q) and Bachelor of Social Work

We managed consultations, developed course frameworks for both degrees, and prepared all materials for submission to TEQSA and AASW. The college chose not to proceed to implementation following a review of its strategic plans.

Ongoing services

Accreditation and
research expertise.

Alongside individual projects, our associates contribute to accreditation and research across the sector.

Accreditation services · 2020 to now

Trusted by accreditation bodies and providers.

  • AASW accreditation panel members, chairing five panels during 2025 and 2026.
  • Managed and advised four accreditation processes with Community Work Australia (CWA) for the Diploma and Bachelor of Community Services, across VET and higher education providers.
  • Managed five course reviews in social work, community services and human services for higher education providers across Australia.
Research services · 2010 to now

Research that informs practice.

  • Researchers and research mentors on creative pedagogies with Hobo Playhouse Australia (2020–2027).
  • PhD supervision at La Trobe University for two doctoral projects (2024–2027).
  • Researchers with the human services research team at Federation University Australia (2024–2027).
  • Peer reviewers for Australian Social Work, the Australian Journal of Adult Learning, the International Journal of Higher Education and the IAFOR Journal of Education.
  • Six PhDs and ten master’s degrees by thesis supervised to completion.
Publications

Published research
and resources.

42 books, chapters, peer-reviewed articles and research reports on adult education, social work, community services and higher education.

View all publications+

Books

  1. Townsend, R. & Webster, M. 1997, Facilitate Social Action, Community Work National Standards, Australian Training Products, Canberra.
  2. Townsend, R. & Webster, M. 1997, Create Links with the Community, Community Work National Standards, Australian Training Products, Canberra.
  3. Townsend, R. & Webster, M. 1997, Develop Community Resources, Community Work National Standards, Australian Training Products, Canberra.
  4. Connors, A., Townsend, R. & Webster, M. 1997, Providing Protective Services, Direct Care & Child Protection National Standards, Australian Training Products, Canberra.
  5. Townsend, R. & Blakey, J. 1992, The Welfare Rights Book, Welfare Rights Unit, Collingwood, Melbourne.

Book chapters

  1. Townsend, R. (forthcoming 2027), Chapter 4: Optimal engagement with AI in higher education teaching and research training, in Research Integrity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Springer.
  2. Townsend, R. 2026, Chapter 6: The Spiralling Academic: A community activist institutionalised and liberated by Higher Education in Australia, in Post-academic life: stories from within, Routledge.
  3. Ollis, T., Williams, J., Townsend, R., Harris, A. & Jorquera, J. 2014, Chapter 10: The Popular Network of Australia (PENA) and 21st century critical education, in Paulo Freire: The Global Legacy, eds M. A. Peters & T. Besley, Peter Lang, Germany.
  4. Townsend, R., Long, N. & Trainor, R. 2011, Chapter 15: Learning Opportunities of Social Work Group Supervision and Peer Learning, in Asia Pacific Social Work Field Education and Supervision, eds C. Noble & M. Henrickson, University of Sydney Press.
  5. Townsend, R. 1990, Protected Tenancies: The Elderly and Frail Living in Poverty in the Private Rental Market, Tenants Union of Victoria Annual Report, Fitzroy, Melbourne.

Peer-reviewed journal articles

  1. Townsend, R. & Bryant Jones, J. 2024, Adult, community education in acting and performance as personal development: “I can look people in the eye now!”, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, vol. 64, no. 2.
  2. Townsend, R., Doyle, G. & Sperling, S. 2024, Swings, and slippery slopes: Reflecting on processes of higher education curriculum in the space of globalization and a pandemic, Forum for Art Studies, 1(1): 224. doi.org/10.59400/fas.v1i1.224
  3. Copper, K., Sadowski, C. & Townsend, R. 2023, Being a parent, but not: A grounded theory of home-based care, Family Relations.
  4. Copper, K., Sadowski, C. & Townsend, R. 2023, ‘You Say One Thing Wrong, and Your Children Are Gone’: Exploring Trauma-Informed Practices in Foster and Kinship Care, British Journal of Social Work.
  5. Gunning, J. & Townsend, R. 2022, Acting as Trauma Informed Adult Education, Advances in Social Work & Welfare Education, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 71–83.
  6. Beggs, S. & Townsend, R. 2021, The Role of Connection in the Efficacy of Animal Assisted Therapies: A Scoping Review, Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 34–47.
  7. Foley, A. & Townsend, R. 2020, 60th Anniversary Guest Editorial, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, vol. 60, p. 361.
  8. Patil, T., Hunt, M., Cooper, K. & Townsend, R. 2020, Developing a Case Based Experiential Learning Model at a Program Level in a Regional University, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 225–243.
  9. Townsend, R. & Hood, M. 2019, Horse Talk: Equine based learning programs and their engagement with individuals, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 257–270.
  10. Neden, J., Townsend, R. & Zuchowski, I. 2018, Australian perspectives on social work field education: contexts, complexities and competing demands, Australian Social Work. doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2018.1465576
  11. Sadowski, C., Townsend, R. & Pediaditis, M. 2017, University students’ use of ‘social networking sites’ (SNS) in their personal and educational lives at a regional Australian university, Australasian Journal of Educational Technology.
  12. Townsend, R. 2014, Perspectives on peer learning as adult education in diverse communities, International Journal of Adult, Community & Professional Learning, vol. 20.
  13. Townsend, R. 2013, Perspectives of health care professionals on the value of peer mentoring during rehabilitation, Journal of Peer Learning, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 46–58.
  14. Long, N. & Townsend, R. 2013, Rural men’s experience of returning to study in human services and social sciences, Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 97–110.
  15. Grace, M., Townsend, R., Testa, D. & Fox, J. 2013, Student Diversity as grass roots internationalisation in social work education, Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 120–134.
  16. Pascal, J., Townsend, R. & Delves, M. 2012, Southeast Asian migrant experiences in regional Victoria: Exploring well-being, Journal of Sociology, SAGE Publications.
  17. Townsend, R. & Pascal, J. 2012, Therapeutic landscapes: Understanding migration to Australian regional and rural communities, Rural Society, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 59–66.
  18. Townsend, R., Schoo, A. & Dickson-Swift, V. 2012, ‘I just can’t remember what they were about, at all’: an evaluation of first year undergraduate discipline-specific mentoring and peer mentoring programs, The International Journal of First Year in Higher Education.
  19. Townsend, R. 2011, So you think you’re ready for university? Barriers, needs and supports for mature age individuals accessing higher education, New Community Quarterly, vol. 9, no. 3.
  20. Townsend, R., Delves, M., Kidd, T. & Figg, B. 2011, Undergraduate student peer mentoring in a multi faculty, multi-campus university context, Journal of Peer Learning, vol. 4, pp. 37–49.
  21. Townsend, R. 2010, Developing 21st century diverse adult learning: rural and regional student access, progression and success in higher education, International Journal of Learning, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 329–341.
  22. Townsend, R. & Delves, M. 2009, Tree Changes or wholesale changes: The role of adult education in transitions in regional life, Rural Society, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 96–105.
  23. Townsend, R. 2009, Australian adult education and its impact on diversity, social inclusion, and social capital, Magis, Revista Internacional de Investigación en Educación, vol. 2, pp. 307–317.
  24. Townsend, R. 2008, Adult education, social inclusion and cultural diversity in regional communities, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 71–92.
  25. Townsend, R. 2006, Adult, community, and public education as primary sites for the development of social capital, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 153–174.

Research reports

  1. Townsend, R. & Genc, S. 2021, McAuley House Ballarat & Mercy Place Ballarat Research Report, McAuley Community Services for Women, Mercy Health & Federation University.
  2. Gunning, J. & Townsend, R. 2020, Acting as Trauma-informed personal development in adults, Federation University.
  3. Townsend, R., Sadowski, C. & Hood, M. 2017, A preliminary evaluation of Equine Learning Experiences Australia (ELEA), Bendigo Bank, Federation University & ELEA.
  4. Townsend, R., Sadowski, C. & Sergi, S. 2014, The prevalence of gambling amongst international students in the Grampians Ballarat region, Grampians Primary Health Care Partnerships & Federation University Australia.
  5. Long, N. & Townsend, R. 2011, Support mechanisms for mature age men returning to tertiary education, Equality and Diversity Unit, La Trobe University.
  6. Townsend, R., Schoo, A., Dickson-Swift, V., Delves, M. & Orchard, A. 2011, Evaluation of first year undergraduate discipline and peer mentoring, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University.
  7. Townsend, R. & Jordan, K. 2011, Student Social Work Field Supervision: Learning Opportunities Offered by Group Supervision and Peer Learning, La Trobe University.
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