Career snapshot: community service workers

Passionate about improving the lives of others?

Then a career in the community sector is the one for you!

What jobs are available?

Community sector jobs include:

• Child care
• Aged care
• Supporting people with disability
• Home care
• Family services
• Youth justice
• Refugee services.

What do Community Workers do?

The great thing about this industry is that it's so varied. Community workers may be employed in the not-for-profit, government and private sectors and provide a range of services including:

• General support
• Activities for clients
• Information and referrals
• Group work
• Mental health services
• Personal care
• Family support
• Counselling
• Emergency relief
• Advocacy
• Community development.

How do I land a job in community services?

Many workers enter this sector by completing a Certificate III in Individual Support or Certificate III in Community Services. This is a great way to prepare for entry level jobs and to find out if you are suited to this type of work. You can develop your career by continuing your further education with either Diploma or University studies. 

If you are thinking of working in the sector, you will need to do a criminal history check and usually be eligible for a Blue Card or Yellow Card.

What does the industry currently look like in Australia?

The community services and health industries are the largest and fastest growing in Australia and it is estimated that by 2016 one in four new jobs will be generated for community and health workers.

Here are some quick facts about Community Services from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Sept 2011):

• Approx 513,000 community services workers in Australia (about 4.5% of all employed people)
• Residential Care Services industry comprised the largest group of workers (204,000 people)
• 58% of Residential Care Services workers and 54% of Other Social Assistance Service workers are 45+ years old
• It's a flexible industry, with 51% of workers employed part-time.

Do you have what it takes to work in this industry?

Are you responsible, caring, flexible, respectful, patient and supportive?

Providing care and support to others can be a demanding job, it is also a very rewarding career where you will make a difference to people’s lives.

Talk to the team at MAX about how you might be able to progress your career in community services.