The health care and social assistance industry is both the largest and fastest-growing industry in Australia. The community services sector is the second largest within the industry, and the demand for jobs is extremely high.

This sector in Australia is full of rewarding job opportunities, where employees work to better the lives of the community around them. Though stressful, a career in community services is the best way to make a positive impact on the world, helping people to live happier and healthier lives.

Before you look at study paths, it’s essential to learn more about the sector as a whole. This comprehensive guide contains all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether a career in community service is right for you.

In Australia, community services are any job roles that involve completing work that directly gives back or helps the local community. You can work in both paid and volunteer positions in community service, these include:

The community services industry in Australia is continually growing year on year. There are thousands of jobs being added across the country in a range of areas such as youth work, counselling, social services, community development and individual support. Do you want to learn more about the roles within the rewarding community services industry? Read on below.

Counselling is a popular career choice for many Australians. There are currently over 25,000 people working as counsellors, and over the last five years, the number of jobs has increased dramatically. The workforce is fairly mature, with an average age of 46 years, making this an ideal second (or third) career for many.

In general, you can become a counsellor through earning a bachelor’s degree in courses such as social sciences and counselling, or you can gain a postgraduate qualification. You can also enter the industry from a certificate level qualification, and it’s just dependent on the particular job role. A career in counselling is perfect for those who understand the importance of providing support networks and equipping people with the tools and advice to live their best lives.

Statistics have shown that one in four adults will experience mental health issues; this means that more than a quarter of the population require treatment or support. The pathways into the mental health industry are wide and varied. Many workers in this field enter mental health after either doing some work or volunteer experience in the community services sector; before branching out into mental health work.

You can undertake specific courses to give you the qualifications and specialist skills to become employed in the mental health sector. First-hand experience can also help you take the next step to get accepted into a degree or mental health certificate course. More often than not, having friends or family members experience mental health issues can often serve as the reason people take the pathway into the mental health industry. This is most likely due to them seeing the value that regular mental health care can provide by helping those closest to them.

People with disability are a valuable and important part of our community. Almost 20 per cent of Australians have a disability, meaning 3.96 million people in Australia require some type of care or assistance. There are now over 175,000 workers in the aged and disabled carers sector, with growth expected to continue to grow very strongly. Aged and disabled carers are now often called ‘workers in Individual Support’ to better reflect the service they provide, which is individualised to the client’s needs.

Aged and disabled carers work in most parts of Australia, and nearly all job roles are in health care and social assistance. The most popular educational level to enter this profession is with a Certificate IV or Certificate III, and 51% of workers in this industry fall into that category.

Over 1 in 7 Australians are over the age of 65 and therefore account for 15% of the total population. This figure is only going to increase, which means there will be a higher demand for aged care workers.

In an aged care role, your tasks will involve mainly providing companionship and care to your aged care patients. You may also arrange social activities for them and participate in these activities too. If you wish to pursue a career in aged care, a course can provide you with the skills and understanding of how to navigate legal and ethical frameworks, policies and procedures in the industry.

A qualification in community services can help you gain a career assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with services such as healthcare, mental health, family services, education services and more.

To specialise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services, you will need to undertake specific electives that can teach you about the importance of the cultural protocols and practices, amongst many other important aspects of indigenous societies.

Working in child protection means providing a child-centred, family-focused service that best protects children and young people from harm or abuse within the family. Youth work often involves helping prevent family violence and protecting young people, as well as providing them with care services.

As a child protection practitioner, you’re responsible for:

And much much more. It’s a very challenging role that requires you to have a thick skin and an understanding that it’s a tough position to work in. It can also be an incredibly rewarding career, knowing that you’re able to make a difference in the lives of children.

In community services, you can also make a career for yourself helping those suffering from alcohol and drug abuse. Choosing a qualification in Alcohol and Other Drugs can give workers the skills to support clients who are suffering from issues related to alcohol and drugs. By working in this area, you’ll be making a fulfilling contribution to the community and also making a valuable career for yourself.

These are some of the examples of potential job paths that can get you a career in the public sector in Australia. There are loads more examples of possible career paths, suitable for people at all stages of their career. Whether you’re a school leaver hoping to begin their career or looking for a career change, there are countless opportunities in the healthcare and social assistance industry.

Jobs in community services can be found all over Australia and in several different departments. Do your research into the community services sector, and your potential dream job may come your way.

The community services industry is often the choice for an individuals second or third career. This is due to the demand of employees required in this industry and the number of courses that are readily available to help you make that career change. There are a range of jobs for all ages and schedules, whether you’re an older worker or looking for a part-time gig or just starting in your career and looking for full-time employment – the demand is great.

Most people will find that they have skills and experience that are transferrable to the industry, such as communication, managerial, organisational or caring skills. Depending on the role you choose in community services, age and experience can be precious commodities. For example, nearly 10% of ‘welfare workers’ in community services (including job titles such as community worker, disabilities services officer or family support) are aged over 60.

Aside from qualifications, there is a range of skills and attributes that are necessary for success within any role in the community services industry.

These include:

Working in a government position such as community services comes with a load of benefits. This is due to the stressful environment in which you’ll often work in, as well as the advantage that you’ll provide back to the government through the work you do for them.

Some of the benefits of working in a government job in Australia include:

Whether you’re working in a council, state or commonwealth government position, working for the Australian government is both rewarding and beneficial to your career progression and your life.

During high school, students will often be required to complete a number of hours of unpaid community service work for the local community. There’s a range of options available for students to complete their support services, whether that be in disability services, aged care or a community centre. There’s also a range of organisations that young people can volunteer in outside of school programs.

If you’re looking for a way to help people through unpaid work, check out these range of organisations that are always looking for people to volunteer:

The rewarding sector of community services is a fantastic place to begin your career journey. Whether you’re working with community groups, volunteering your time, completing a traineeship or completing community service, there’s no doubt that a career in the industry is gratifying.

Fastrack your career in community service by upskilling today!