/ How To Become a Community Services Worker : Career,Salaries, Job Stats & Education

How to become a Community Services Worker?

Want to enjoy a more rewarding role? How about making a real difference in your community, each and every day? That’s what a community services worker does – operating directly within communities to provide support and assistance to those in need. 

Working in community services means taking part in a rewarding role, getting involved with communities and delivering the assistance and support needed by those who are elderly, disabled or in poverty. You will also get involved with families and young people, offering them the rehabilitation and support they need.  

What do Community Services Worker Jobs involve?

A community service worker is a defined role, in which you will work with clients to resolve personal issues, identify support and assign resources that can help meet a client’s needs. You will often be directly involved in rehabilitation and can also deal with drug and alcohol support. One of the key duties you will have is to plan and lead community group activities. If this sounds interesting, Community Services Worker jobs are forecast for strong growth over the next few years. Don’t believe us? Just look at the figures…

Community Services Worker Outlook

Source: *Job Outlook Government website. ABS Labour Force Survey, Department of Employment trend data and projections to 2023. Here is the information for Welfare Support Workers (Closest applicable title)

The graph shows historical and projected (to 2023) employment (thousands) for this occupation. There is strong growth forecast between now and 2023, with numbers expected to rise sharply by around 6000 new job openings a year to a total of 52,100.

You will, on average, spend 35.7 hours at work each week as opposed to the all jobs average of 40.

Community Services Worker Salary Expectations

Source: *Job Outlook Government website. ABS Labour Force Survey, Department of Employment trend data and projections to 2023. Here is the information for Welfare Support Workers (Closest applicable title)

This average salary is for all welfare support workers, so Community Services Worker earnings may differ. Welfare Support Workers earn slightly less than the Australian average, but work almost 5 hours per week less.  

Community Services Worker Age Profile

The average age of welfare support workers is 42, slightly older than the all Australian average of 40. This indicates many people in the profession have either entered it later than others, or that the role offers long-term job security and growth.

Community Services Worker Education Level

The majority of Welfare Support Workers hold a higher level of education than Year 12. Many hold a Certificate III/IV or above – with more holding diplomas compared to the national average. 21.7% of people in the field hold a diploma compared to just 10.1% of the Australian average.

Why study to become a Community Support Worker?

Almost all of those working in community support hold some level of education that is higher than Year 12. A certificate III or above is the general minimum level of education a community services worker needs, with most holding a diploma. Studying for this career helps equip you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need ahead of dealing with the job itself. While it can be emotionally-taxing, it’s an incredibly rewarding field.

Get started as a community support worker by studying a Diploma of Community Services today.