Community workers encourage and assist community groups to identify their needs, participate in decision-making and develop appropriate services and facilities to meet those needs.
To become a community worker you usually have to complete a VET qualification in a relevant discipline such as community services or community development. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a community worker by studying a relevant field at university. Entry to relevant degree courses usually requires you to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. For more information, see the separate entries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Social Worker, Welfare Worker and Youth Worker. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
To become a member of the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) you need to complete an approved degree or two-year diploma in community services work, human services community welfare, community development or a similar discipline that is approved by ACWA. Contact the association for further information and a current list of approved courses. A Working with Children Check and National Police Check may also be required.
Community workers:
The work of community workers involves considerable personal contact and travel within communities. They are normally expected to attend evening meetings and occasional weekend activities.
Community workers work with groups of people in various settings, including aged care, youth and community centres, youth shelters, centres for people with disability, and Aboriginal communities. They also work for local councils and for the family and community service agencies of state and territory governments. Many community workers move on to self-employment and undertake contract community work on specific projects. Community workers may work in urban or remote areas. Employment prospects depend on the level of government funding for community organisations and the number of programs to be conducted and administered.
An aboriginal affairs administrator is involved in running organisations that provide services and assistance to Aboriginal communities in areas such as art and crafts, education, health and housing. Their work also involves organising events and activities to meet local needs.
Avg. weekly wage:
$1,084
Future growth:
Strong
Employment by state:
ACT ACT 2.4%
NSW NSW 30.5%
NT NT 3%
QLD QLD 18.6%
SA SA 10.1%
TAS TAS 3.2%
VIC VIC 21.9%
WA WA 10.4%
Hours worked:
35.7
Unemployment:
Average unemployment
Gender split:
Male 32.7%
Female 67.3%
Education level:
Not completed Year 10: 2.9%
Not completed Year 12: 6.6%
Highest qualification is secondary school: 9.1%
Highest qualification is a Certificate 3 or 4: 21.7%
Highest qualification is a Diploma or Advanced Diploma: 21.7%
Highest qualification is a Bachelor degree: 25.7%
Highest qualification is a Postgraduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 12.2%
Age brackets:
15-19 - 0.4%
20-24 - 6.5%
25-34 - 23.9%
35-44 - 24.9%
45-54 - 21.1%
55-59 - 11.4%
60-64 - 9.3%
65 and Over - 2.5%
*The data above is sourced from the Department of Employment’s Job Outlook website.
To become a community worker you usually have to complete a VET qualification in a relevant discipline such as community services or community development. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a community worker by studying a relevant field at university. Entry to relevant degree courses usually requires you to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. For more information, see the separate entries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Social Worker, Welfare Worker and Youth Worker. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
To become a member of the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) you need to complete an approved degree or two-year diploma in community services work, human services community welfare, community development or a similar discipline that is approved by ACWA. Contact the association for further information and a current list of approved courses. A Working with Children Check and National Police Check may also be required.
Community workers:
The work of community workers involves considerable personal contact and travel within communities. They are normally expected to attend evening meetings and occasional weekend activities.
Community workers work with groups of people in various settings, including aged care, youth and community centres, youth shelters, centres for people with disability, and Aboriginal communities. They also work for local councils and for the family and community service agencies of state and territory governments. Many community workers move on to self-employment and undertake contract community work on specific projects. Community workers may work in urban or remote areas. Employment prospects depend on the level of government funding for community organisations and the number of programs to be conducted and administered.
An aboriginal affairs administrator is involved in running organisations that provide services and assistance to Aboriginal communities in areas such as art and crafts, education, health and housing. Their work also involves organising events and activities to meet local needs.
Avg. weekly wage:
$1,084
Future growth:
Strong
Employment by state:
ACT ACT 2.4%
NSW NSW 30.5%
NT NT 3%
QLD QLD 18.6%
SA SA 10.1%
TAS TAS 3.2%
VIC VIC 21.9%
WA WA 10.4%
Hours worked:
35.7
Unemployment:
Average unemployment
Gender split:
Male 32.7%
Female 67.3%
Education level:
Not completed Year 10: 2.9%
Not completed Year 12: 6.6%
Highest qualification is secondary school: 9.1%
Highest qualification is a Certificate 3 or 4: 21.7%
Highest qualification is a Diploma or Advanced Diploma: 21.7%
Highest qualification is a Bachelor degree: 25.7%
Highest qualification is a Postgraduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 12.2%
Age brackets:
15-19 - 0.4%
20-24 - 6.5%
25-34 - 23.9%
35-44 - 24.9%
45-54 - 21.1%
55-59 - 11.4%
60-64 - 9.3%
65 and Over - 2.5%
*The data above is sourced from the Department of Employment’s Job Outlook website.