Community Development Worker

A community development worker focuses on how to best enhance the public offerings of the neighbourhood or other community in which they work. These efforts can take different shapes depending on the current facilities and programs offered in a community and that specific area's future needs and goals. Often community development workers will work to improve shared recreation areas, public health and housing options and other general welfare issues.

Community development workers will collaborate with a range of colleagues and other key stakeholders to analyse needs before developing and implementing plans for change. These can include members of the community and local government, local businesses, public health agencies, medical professionals and fellow community development team members. Community development workers also often help promote resources available to the public. This role can often fall under the remit of local government or a not-for-profit organisation.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $83,200
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a community development worker?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services
Blended, On Campus, Online
8 - 18 months
$49 - $9,900
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker
Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Clinical Supervisor Community Health Liaison Addiction Counsellor Global Health Advisor Community Advocate Wellbeing Coordinator Social Work Supervisor Child Psychologist Family Therapist Community Rehabilitation Worker Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Program Evaluator Aged Care Coordinator Doula Community Recovery Officer Gerontologist Health Advisor
+ 80 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Clinical Supervisor Community Health Liaison Addiction Counsellor Global Health Advisor Community Advocate Wellbeing Coordinator Social Work Supervisor Child Psychologist Family Therapist Community Rehabilitation Worker Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Program Evaluator Aged Care Coordinator Doula Community Recovery Officer Gerontologist Health Advisor + 80 more
CHC42021

Certificate IV in Community Services
Blended, On Campus, Online
6 - 12 months
$30 - $4,995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Youth Worker Housing Officer Family Support Worker
Case Manager Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Community Support Worker Community Care Worker Intake Worker Mental Health Support Worker Peer Support Worker Residential Care Officer Residential Care Worker Support Worker Volunteer Coordinator Youth Case Worker Rehabilitation Counsellor Animal Shelter Attendant Life Coach Case Worker Migrant Support Worker Community Outreach Coordinator Behaviour Support Specialist Community Worker Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Youth Officer Probation Officer Social Welfare Officer NDIS Worker Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Court Support Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Community Health Liaison Community Advocate Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Doula Community Recovery Officer
+ 44 more
CHC42121

Certificate IV in Community Development
Blended, On Campus
12 months
$0 - $5,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Community Development Manager Fundraising Coordinator Community Development Worker
Community Support Worker Volunteer Coordinator Welfare Worker Community Recovery Officer
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Community Development Manager Fundraising Coordinator Community Development Worker Community Support Worker Volunteer Coordinator Welfare Worker Community Recovery Officer + 4 more
CHC52121

Diploma of Community Development
On Campus, Traineeship
12 - 24 months
$0 - $6,300
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Community Development Worker Community Development Manager
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Community Development Worker Community Development Manager

Bachelor of Community Development
On Campus
3 years
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Community Development Manager Community Development Officer Community Development Worker
Human Rights Activist Multicultural Liaison Officer Social Welfare Officer Humanitarian Aid Worker Youth Adviser Indigenous Support Worker International Aid Worker Community Advocate
+ 8 more
CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services (Child, Youth and Family Welfare)
Blended, On Campus, Online
18 months
$0 - $25,200
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Support Worker Family Support Worker Youth Support Worker
Youth Case Worker Youth Justice Officer Youth Worker Outreach Worker Child Safety Officer Youth Counsellor Aboriginal Community Care Worker Community Care Worker Community Development Worker Family Counsellor
+ 10 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Common questions

How much do Community Development Workers earn?

In Australia, a full time community development worker generally earns $1,600 per week ($83,200 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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What are the job opportunities for Community Development Workers?

Community development jobs can fall under the general umbrella of welfare, recreation and community arts worker jobs. As of May 2019, there were approximately 36,000 such jobs in Australia. That number is expected to grow to more than 46,500 by May 2024.

Source: The Labour Market Information Portal - 2019 Occupational Projections

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How long does it take to become a Community Development Worker?

Many community development worker jobs require a qualification in community services. The level of qualification needed can change from position to position. A Certificate IV of Community Services can take upwards of 12 months to complete depending on your study mode (online, on campus or a mix of both) and if you study full or part time. You will also have to complete work placement. Another option is a Diploma of Community Services with a Case Management Specialisation. This learning pathway can take anywhere from 12-24 months to complete and includes work placement training.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

How to start a career in community management

18th August 2020)

7 reasons to start a career in community services

15th June 2018)

What do social workers do?

11th December 2019)

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