About Community Services
The Australian community services industry has been identified as one of the fastest-growing sectors, with an anticipated employment growth rate of 18.7% by 2025. This growth is due to an increasing demand for services that support the aging population, people with disabilities, and those experiencing mental health issues, according to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. Over the next five years, the industry is expected to add more than 80,000 new jobs, presenting a unique opportunity for individuals interested in a career in community services.
Community services courses online offer a wide range of career possibilities depending on your personal interests and skillset. You can specialise in a variety of support services including disability support, child protection, individual support, counselling, and substance abuse. So whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time, a professional wanting to further your knowledge, or someone wanting to give back to your community, there are various courses available to suit your needs.
Community service workers provide support to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and communities. If you’re committed to helping those who may be struggling in their everyday lives, you can build an extremely stable and fulfilling career. The community services industry is currently thriving, with a healthy employment growth forecast, particularly in the areas of aged care and disability.
Community services jobs
A career in community services could see you assisting youth with financial and emotional problems, supervising offenders, working with disabled adults and children, or liaising with community groups and welfare agencies in need.
Here are some potential full-time career outcomes:
What Are the Different Types of Community Services Courses?
There are many community services courses online available to suit your needs and interests. If you’re looking to start your career, an online certificate or diploma may be the perfect fit for you. With a wide range of options available, you can focus on your specific area of interest.
For those who want to deepen their commitment to working with the disadvantaged, an undergraduate course can provide the best training for a highly successful career in the industry.
Certificate III
A Certificate III qualification will open doors to a variety of career paths, such as employment consultant in training, community care assistant/worker, or nursing assistant. These online TAFE courses are entry-level, designed to provide you with an introduction to a specific area of community services. There are generally no prerequisites, and upon completion, graduates will receive a nationally recognised qualification. Possible career outcomes include aged care worker, associate employment consultant, disability service officer, and many more.
Certificate IV
A Certificate IV qualification will give you a wide range of knowledge in the community services field. You will learn how to design and deliver programs to improve an individual or community group’s wellbeing, as well as the fundamentals of working with the disadvantaged. Graduates with this level of qualification have the opportunity to work in roles such as drug and alcohol worker, support worker, youth and family services officer, and other similar positions.
Diploma
The nationally recognised qualification of a Diploma of Community Services is a more in-depth TAFE education. Delivered online, and typically with a work placement component, the qualification will prepare students for working with complex clients and communities in need. Those with prior experience in the community services sector may be eligible to receive credits for their experience. Graduates of this comprehensive course will be qualified to work as an early intervention worker, program coordinator, group facilitator, welfare worker and more.
Undergraduate
Undergraduate qualifications such as a Bachelor of Community Services typically require students to commit to full-time internal studies over a longer period than that of a certificate or diploma. The entry requirement of this course is a Diploma which, in some cases, may provide first year credits. The undergraduate degree provides students a broad understanding of the community services sector as well as providing them with the skillset to work as an effective professional in the industry. This course is particularly beneficial for those wishing to further their career, with potential employment as a community centre manager or community services case manager.
Is Community Services right for you?
To thrive in community services, it’s important to have a passion for improving people’s lives for both old and young people. Professionals in this field are known for being non-judgmental, warm-hearted, and trustworthy. If these qualities describe you, working in community services can be a personally fulfilling career.
There are many opportunities for career advancement and stability in community services, as highly skilled professionals are in demand. With a variety of areas to focus on, there’s room to explore and change your career path without necessarily needing further formal training.
However, the job requires a strong character and emotional stability, especially when dealing with difficult cases involving violence, substance abuse, homelessness, and child welfare. If you want to make a real difference in the lives of those less fortunate, studying a community services course online can teach you everything you need to start a successful and rewarding career.
