Accredited online and on-campus courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
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Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career? You can help shape the lives of young people – aged 0-25 – through the study of Youth Work. Youth Work courses provide students with an understanding of the social, behavioural, health, welfare and developmental needs of youth. Students of Youth Work courses will be taught how to provide emotional and everyday, hands-on support to young people, and help develop their confidence levels and social skills.
Youth Work courses will explore a range of fascinating subjects, which may include engaging young people, case management, responding to critical situations, promoting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety, providing first aid, working with young people and their families, mental health issues and identifying people at risk.
You’re passionate about young people and committed to supporting their active, fulfilling and meaningful participation in all aspects of society. Build the skills and knowledge required to work professionally in youth work by studying a youth work course now.
As Australia’s population ages, young people are being excluded from critical service delivery. The demand for skilled professionals to provide support is growing. As a youth worker, you’ll work with vulnerable and at-risk young people to provide support, counselling and coaching, and assist them to unlock the potential you know is within them, and help them engage fully in Australian society and life.
A wide range of youth work courses exist, including at the certificate, bachelor’s degree and master’s degree levels, and often qualifications include practical work placements, to ensure you graduate with the practical and adaptable skills necessary to work in the fast-paced and dynamic youth work sector.
Career opportunities after completing a youth work course are varied, and may include working as a youth worker or a more specialised community service worker. Due to the holistic nature of youth service work, you can expect to engage frequently with teachers, social workers, parents and authorities in your work.
As a youth worker, you’ll work closely with young people to provide support, coaching, advice and assistance on a range of social, emotional, health, welfare and development matters, and coordinate the services of service delivery agencies. Day-to-day, you can expect to:
Youth work is relational, and your tasks will depend uniquely on your clients and their needs. A successful youth worker will focus on building excellent relationships and providing the support, assistance and advice that will help the young person create the change in their life they want to see.
The skills and attributes developed while studying youth work may be transferred to a variety of other areas, including working as a youth sports coach, tutoring or mentoring a young person, or advocating for the rights of young people in an advocacy or policy role.
Graduates of youth work courses usually work as youth workers or in community and social service delivery. You may choose to seek employment as a:
You’ll enjoy studying youth work if you:
Employment opportunities in youth work have been growing steadily over the past decade, and Job Outlook predicts jobs will continue to grow strongly for the next five years. Youth work is considered a large profession, with approximately 60,000 people in Australia employed in the sector, suggesting employment opportunities are available in most regions of Australia. Job Outlook notes that approximately 56 per cent of youth workers are employed in full-time positions.
According to PayScale, youth workers may earn between $33,000 and $63,000 per year, with an approximate average salary of $54,000. There isn’t a strong relationship between experience and salary in the youth work sector, and new graduates may find themselves earning competitive rates after finishing their courses. PayScale notes that people remain working in the youth work sector for an average of 10 years.
Peak bodies for young people also exist in each state and territory of Australia:
