Support Worker

A support worker provides assistance to those having difficulty living their everyday lives. This aid can come in a variety of forms, including helping with tasks such as work around the house, administrative paperwork, personal medical attention and more. This emotional and practical support aims to help clients and patients live their lives as freely as possible. Clients and patients can include individuals as well as full households impacted by a range of issues including, but not limited to, injury or illness, disability and addiction.

Depending on the specific role and location, support workers can find themselves working in homes, as part of community centres or even in medical clinics. Their duties will often involve collaborating with educators, employers and other medical professionals to develop and deliver care programs that suit each specific client's needs.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $68,900
Skill level Beginner

How do I become a support worker?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
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
CHC43215 & CHC43315

Dual Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs & Certificate IV in Mental Health

Online
17 - 24 months
$5,200 - $6,786
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
CHC40421

Certificate IV in Youth Work

Blended, On Campus, Online
12 months
$615 - $4,995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Common questions

Further reading

What do social workers do?

11th December 2019)

How to start a career in Disability Care

12th April 2021)

7 reasons to start a career in community services

15th June 2018)