Social work exists inextricably in the presence of ethics and values. Human rights and other central values ​​in social work call for a highly idealistic practice, defining contemporary best practice. Yet social workers working in Australia's health sector face dilemmas: they may have to live up to untenable ideals within highly regulated organizations. Policies, past and present, impact practice and often undermine the inherent principles of social work (Ife, 2008, pp.8). Regardless, social workers are required to respect the ethics and values ​​of their profession. A balance must be struck between competing factors, a task that is not entirely feasible in some contexts (Dominelli, 2012). As part of this mission, a review of rural health and the level of autonomy it offers professionals will take place. The focus will be on the controversial area of ​​Indigenous health. My aim is to demonstrate that the reality of health social work practice in Australia is very different from the moral platform from which it is envisaged, while also recognizing that this platform is indispensable to the integrity of contemporary practice in difficult circumstances. The Code of Ethics for Social Workers (AASW) (2010) provides three core values ​​of social work, respect for people, social justice, and professional integrity (p. 12). These core values ​​establish “ethical responsibilities” for the social worker (AASW, 2010, pp.12), particularly the value of respect for persons, which supports the intrinsic worth of all human beings as well as the right to well-being and self-determination. consistent with other members of society (AASW, 2010, p.12). This code of ethics stipulates the duty of care that a social worker must provide, a...... middle of paper ...... in fact, has undoubtedly been ruined by diet and stress that she suffered following her forced eviction by social workers who are not very different from me. Yet this unavoidable dilemma only strengthens my efforts to achieve the ideals demonstrated by my profession. This ethic, complex and often in conflict with the reality of social welfare, is the light that guides my professional practice through the perils of historical white shame. In summary, Indigenous health and the role of rural social workers are not without their complexities. As demonstrated, there are obvious problems of autonomy and conflicts between core professional values ​​and the practical implementation of social health policy. While the modern social worker faces ethical dilemmas daily, it is the core values ​​and ethics of the profession that help those hampered by complexity to operate according to best practice..