A critical approach to understanding social policy for advocacy and actionSocial 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 EDITIONHeavily revised content considers recent developments in social policy including health, climate change, education, and immigrationContemporary examples integrated throughout the text reflect significant changes in societyThree new chapters on contemporary areas of social policy:Chapter 8 - Immigration: Welfare Rights in a Temporary Immigration StateChapter 10 - Losing Sight: Social Security Policy in AustraliaChapter 12 - Health and Health Care: A Contested Terrain