Social Worker

A social worker is somebody who helps people navigate everyday issues brought on by a range of factors, including but not limited to, physical and mental health, income, illness, injustice and changed circumstances such as divorce. They can work with individuals, small groups or entire communities depending on the position and location of the role. Duties can involve everything from meeting with those in need to provide resources and develop programs to helping shape policy with key decision makers and stakeholders.

Social workers must be prepared to help clients work through difficult situations and circumstances, including homelessness, sexual abuse, domestic violence, drug addiction and more. As a social worker, you will be fully equipped with knowledge of helpful resources, such as pertinent literature, refuge contact information, hotline numbers, applicable government aid and other places to which those in need can turn for help. Social workers can specialise in certain areas like older clients, children and those who have experienced certain types of hardship.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $88,400
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a social worker?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended

Bachelor of Social Work
Blended, On Campus, Online
4 years
$0 - $100,160
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Social Worker Caseworker Social Welfare Officer
Aged Care Social Worker Family Support Worker Mental Health Social Worker Community Liaison Officer Community Volunteer Correctional Case Manager Art Therapist Public Service Officer Community Worker Human Rights Activist Multicultural Liaison Officer Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Community Psychologist Hospital Social Worker Youth Engagement Officer Humanitarian Aid Worker Youth Adviser Human Rights Officer International Aid Worker Clinical Social Worker Community Advocate Youth Advocate Aged Care Coordinator Mental Health Specialist Youth Minister Community Recovery Officer
+ 27 more
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

Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
Blended, On Campus, Online
24 months
$0 - $57,776
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Mental Health Social Worker Social Worker Clinical Social Worker
Hospital Social Worker
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Mental Health Social Worker Social Worker Clinical Social Worker Hospital Social Worker + 1 more

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
4 years
$0 - $105,280
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Healthcare Social Worker Hospital Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker
Social Worker Community Development Officer
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Healthcare Social Worker Hospital Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Social Worker Community Development Officer + 2 more

Master of Social Work
On Campus, Online
24 months
$0 - $71,280
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Aged Care Social Worker Clinical Social Worker Mental Health Social Worker
Healthcare Social Worker Social Worker
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Aged Care Social Worker Clinical Social Worker Mental Health Social Worker Healthcare Social Worker Social Worker + 2 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Substance Abuse Counsellor

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Avg yearly income $83,200
Skill level Advanced

Intake Worker

An Intake Worker assesses clients at welfare services, conducting evaluations and coordinating care plans while communicating effectively with stakeholders.

Avg yearly income $89,960
Skill level Advanced

Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

Drug and Alcohol Counsellors assist individuals and families struggling with substance addiction, guiding them through recovery and interventions.

Avg yearly income $98,800
Skill level Advanced

Mental Health Advocate

A Mental Health Advocate supports individuals by promoting their rights, accessing services, and navigating mental health systems with empathy and guidance.

Avg yearly income $65,000
Skill level Advanced

Addiction Counsellor

An Addiction Counsellor aids individuals with substance and behavioural addictions through therapy, treatment plans, and support in recovery.

Avg yearly income $92,560
Skill level Advanced

Common questions

How much do Social Workers earn?

In Australia, a full time social worker generally earns $1,700 per week ($88,400 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 Social Workers?

The social worker industry has been growing strongly and looks set to continue doing so. As of May 2019, there were approximately 40,000 social workers in Australia. That number is expected to grow to more than 50,000 by May 2024. From 2018 to 2023, there is expected to be about 4,600 job openings per year.

Source: The Labour Market Information Portal - 2019 Occupational Projections and Australian Government Job Outlook

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How long does it take to become a Social Worker?

Often the area of social work in which you want to specialise will determine the proper course of study. In general, you need a more advanced qualification like a Certificate IV in Community Services, Certificate IV in Mental Health or Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs. Depending on if you're studying online or on campus, full time or part time, these can take around 12 to 18 months to complete. However, some social worker jobs might require a more advanced diploma or masters degree in social work. You might also need to obtain other checks based on your desired role, including a national police check, a working with children check and a first aid certificate.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

What do social workers do?

11th December 2019)

How to start a career in Social Work

18th May 2021)

How to start a career in counselling

7th September 2020)

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