How to become a Welfare Worker
Welfare workers work with individuals, families, groups and communities to improve quality of life by empowering, educating and supporting people and by helping them to change their social environment. Some specialise in helping families, adolescents, people with substance abuse issues, homeless people, people with disability, people escaping domestic violence, victims of crime or criminals.
Personal requirements for a Welfare Worker
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
- Tolerance and an open mind
- Good planning and organisational skills
- Able to take initiative
- Sense of responsibility
- Able to deal with conflict in stressful situations
- Commitment to human rights and social justice
Education & Training for a Welfare Worker
To become a welfare worker you usually have to complete a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you complete a degree specialising in human services, community welfare, community development or a related discipline. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with English. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Additional 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. You will need to undergo a Working with Children Check and a check for working with vulnerable people.
Duties & Tasks of a Welfare Worker
Welfare workers:
- Provide support and assistance to clients who experience difficulties such as marital problems, unemployment, illness or drug abuse
- Arrange for clients to be referred to appropriate specialists or community agencies
- Help clients with long-term problems to bring about self-directed change in their lives
- Assess risks and provide intensive short-term crisis counselling for victims of domestic violence or child abuse
- Help to establish or administer neighbourhood houses or community groups
- Evaluate data and write reports, including submissions requesting funding for continuing programs and new projects
- Act on behalf of clients who have a complaint against an organisation or government department
- Arrange and evaluate support services, such as Meals on Wheels delivery to elderly people living alone
- Recruit, train and coordinate volunteer staff
- Assist community groups to identify and implement strategies to deal with local issues.
Tasks
- Provides support while exploring alternatives with clients who experience difficulties such as marital problems, unemployment, illness and drug abuse.
- Assists to establish and administer neighbourhood houses, community groups, employment training programmes and other services.
- Assesses risks and provides intensive short-term crisis counselling for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, disasters and other crises.
Working conditions for a Welfare Worker
Welfare workers deal with situations which may involve emotional, social and financial difficulties. Welfare workers can work individually or as part of a team. They may work in an office, visit clients in their homes and attend evening community meetings.
Employment Opportunities for a Welfare Worker
Welfare workers are employed by state, territory and federal government departments; local councils; hospitals and health centres; unions; industry; non-government organisations; and community groups. Increasing numbers are self-employed in private practice or as consultants. Welfare workers may be employed as fieldworkers, project officers, program coordinators, community health workers, student or staff counsellors, or human services workers. Some welfare workers are employed in supervisory, administrative or policy-making roles. Demand for this occupation is largely influenced by government funding in the social welfare field.
Specializations
Welfare Worker
Welfare workers work with individuals, families, groups and communities to improve quality of life by empowering, educating and supporting people and by helping them to change their social environment. Some specialise in helping families, adolescents, people with substance abuse issues, homeless people, people with disability, people escaping domestic violence, victims of crime or criminals.
Average age
40
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
79% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
60%
Employment Size
34,300
Employment by state
ACT: 1.8%
NSW: 31.0%
NT: 1.9%
QLD: 18.5%
SA: 7.4%
TAS: 2.5%
VIC: 25.5%
WA: 11.6%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.2%
20-24: 4.7%
25-34: 25.9%
35-44: 24.3%
45-54: 23.5%
55-59: 10.6%
60-64: 7%
65 and Over: 3.7%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 22.3%
Bachelor degree: 41.9%
Certificate III/IV: 9.9%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 16.9%
Year 10 and below: 3%
Year 11: 1.3%
Year 12: 4.7%
