Youth Worker

A Youth Worker supports children and young people who are going through a challenging time. You might provide guidance with issues such as homelessness or family violence or assist clients to manage their finances or gain employment. Youth Workers may work with individual clients or conduct group support programs. You may also refer clients to other support services when required.

Youth Workers should have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate well with young people from a range of backgrounds. It’s important you can understand your clients’ needs and work with their individual circumstances. Youth Workers should be patient and understanding and have strong problem solving abilities.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $65,000
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a youth worker?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
CHC50421

Diploma of Youth Work
Online
12 months
$7,995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Youth Worker Youth Counsellor Youth Support Worker
Youth Case Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Child Safety Officer Intake Worker Peer Support Worker Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Community Worker Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Human Rights Advocate Youth Officer Youth Engagement Officer Youth Adviser Child Psychologist
+ 17 more
CHC42021

Certificate IV in Community Services
Blended, On Campus, Online
6 - 12 months
$30 - $4,300
  • 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
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.
Youth Worker Support Worker Youth Support Worker
Youth Case Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Youth Counsellor Community Coach Youth Support Officer Youth Officer Youth Engagement Officer Youth Adviser Youth Advocate Youth Minister
+ 11 more
CHC50321

Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention
Online
18 months
$6,500
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Youth Worker Family Support Worker Youth Support Worker
Youth Case Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Child Safety Officer Youth Counsellor Relationship Counsellor Rehabilitation Counsellor Case Worker Child Psychologist Family Therapist Disability Employment Consultant
+ 12 more
CHC40321

Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
6 - 24 months
$0 - $14,107
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Youth Case Worker Youth Support Worker Youth Justice Officer
Outreach Worker Child Safety Officer Support Worker Youth Worker Youth Counsellor Youth Support Officer
+ 6 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Youth Case Worker Youth Support Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Child Safety Officer Support Worker Youth Worker Youth Counsellor Youth Support Officer + 6 more

Bachelor of Youth Work
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $35,130
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Youth Worker Youth Counsellor Youth Support Worker
Youth Officer Youth Advocate Youth Support Officer Youth Engagement Officer Youth Adviser
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Youth Worker Youth Counsellor Youth Support Worker Youth Officer Youth Advocate Youth Support Officer Youth Engagement Officer Youth Adviser + 5 more

Bachelor of Human Services
Distance, On Campus, Online
3 years
$0 - $66,192
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Career Counsellor Youth Worker Community Liaison Officer
Community Volunteer Caseworker Multicultural Liaison Officer Social Welfare Officer Youth Engagement Officer Community Advocate
+ 6 more
CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services (Child, Youth and Family Welfare)
Blended, On Campus, Online
18 months
$4,970 - $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.

Related occupations

Family Support Worker

Family Support Workers provide guidance and emotional support to families, assisting those at risk and working in various sectors like child protection and community health.

Avg yearly income $72,800
Skill level Advanced

Child Safety Officer

A Child Safety Officer identifies at-risk children and ensures their protection through assessments, investigations, and case management.

Avg yearly income $93,600
Skill level Advanced

Youth Support Worker

Youth Support Workers assist young people with employment, housing, and education while addressing social, financial, and emotional challenges through counselling and outreach.

Avg yearly income $67,600
Skill level Advanced

Common questions

How much does a Youth Worker earn?

In Australia, a full time Youth Worker generally earns $1,250 per week ($65,000 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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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for a Youth Worker?

There has been a strong increase in the number of people working in this industry in recent years. There are currently 12,300 people employed as a Youth Worker in Australia compared to 11,100 five years ago. Youth Workers may find work across all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a Youth Worker?

If you’re planning a career as a Youth Worker, consider enrolling in a Diploma of Youth Work. This course will give you the skills and knowledge to support and mentor young people. You’ll learn to organise youth programs and assist young people in crisis. A Certificate IV in Youth Work may also be appropriate.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

How to start a career in Youth Work

25th May 2021)

What can you do with a Diploma of Youth Work?

2nd November 2020)

What can you do with a Certificate IV in Youth Work?

4th August 2021)

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