A youth worker is someone who works with young people, typically between the ages of 12 and 24, to support their personal and social development. They might work in different settings such as community centres, schools, non-profits, and youth organisations.
The primary goal of a youth worker is to provide support and guidance to help young people build positive self-identities, get through difficult situations, and develop the skills they need to achieve their goals. They might do this by providing counselling, educational support, building community programs, providing recreational activities, and advocating on behalf of young people.
Besides supporting young people, youth workers can also be involved in community outreach, developing community based programs, and building partnerships with youth centred agencies and organisations. They’ll often collaborate with other workers in the community services sector to provide support for young people and their families, including social workers, teachers, and healthcare providers.
The day-to-day activities of a youth worker will differ depending on the setting they work in. Daily duties might include:
To become a youth worker in Australia, you must complete a professional qualification such as a Certificate IV in Youth Work or a Diploma of Youth Work.
These courses provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to care for the safety, emotional health, and social connectivity of young people, including how to:
The courses include a mandatory work placement that provides you with practical experience so you can offer the best level of support upon completion of your training. To get a job as a youth worker, you may also require a national police clearance and working with children check.
Being a youth worker can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for several reasons:
Youth workers make a positive impact on the lives of young people by safeguarding them from harm, counselling through difficult issues, and helping them to develop the skills and confidence they need to reach their potential. This makes youth work an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career, knowing you are making a difference in people’s lives.
A career in youth work involves various activities and responsibilities that allow for variety in your day-to-day responsibilities. These include mentoring, counselling, conducting group activities, facilitating programs, and providing educational support. This variety can keep youth work interesting and engaging.
Many youth workers are able to work flexible hours, including freelance or part-time. This can be an appealing aspect of the job for those who like to maintain work-life balance or have other commitments that don’t permit a full time job.
As youth workers gain experience in the role, there are opportunities to advance into other leadership positions or specalise in particular areas such as mental health, education, or social work.
Youth workers are an important part of the community and the need for them is likely to remain high. Young people will always need support and guidance, whether that’s through group activities or mental health support. This can provide job security and stability.
If you’d like to begin a career in youth work, you can enrol in an online course to receive a nationally recognised qualification that equips you with all the skills and knowledge you need to provide a range of services for young people.
Online youth work courses offer flexible delivery and include an in-person work placement that provides you with the practical experience you need to start your career with confidence.
In Australia, the two main youth work courses are a Certificate IV in Youth Work and a Diploma in Youth Work. Both of these courses are available to study online, enabling you to start your career without having to shift your current work, family, or life commitments.
Youth work courses provide numerous benefits to those who are looking to forge a career as a youth worker. These include:
In Australia, you cannot become a youth worker without a qualification such as the Certificate IV in Youth Work or Diploma in Youth Work. These two courses teach you the necessary skills so you can offer the best degree of support to young people, including how to respond to crises, work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, facilitate programs, support young people to create opportunities in their lives, work within a community development framework, and conduct group activities.
While very rewarding and fulfilling, youth work can be a difficult and sometimes stressful job. Youth work courses prepare you for the realities of working in a youth work context by teaching you how to respond to critical situations and develop important skills such as resilience, empathy, and creativity. These are valuable skills to have on the job but also in your personal life.
This depends on the course you have enrolled in and the training provider. If you choose to enrol online, youth work courses are self-paced and can be completed in your own time (within the course expiry date).
Generally, a Certificate IV in Youth Work takes a maximum of 18 months to complete and includes around 120 hours of work placement. A Diploma in Youth Work takes around 24 months to complete with around 160 hours of work placement required.
The cost of a Certificate IV in Youth Work or a Diploma in Youth Work will depend on the institution and payment method you use. Many institutions offer payment plans and may even offer a discount for some students. Get in touch with our team to receive a free course pack with all the information you need to get started.
The average youth worker in Australia earns between $65,000 and $80,000 per year. An entry level youth worker can expect to earn around $52,000 while a more experienced youth worker can earn up to $88,600.
We recommend starting with a Certificate IV in Youth Work. This enables you to begin a fulfilling career as a youth worker. If you’d like to start your career with more knowledge, or want to advance your career, a Diploma in Youth Work is the ideal course to pursue.
Being a youth worker is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for those who are passionate about working with young people and making a positive difference in their lives. Start your youth worker career with an online course today!
Learn more about Youth Work Courses in your area.