Some people have a natural affinity to teach or help others. Caring-types are naturally empathetic and practical; want to make a difference; and ensure that the children and young people they care for will thrive as they develop.

Jobs such as childcare worker and youth worker are meaningful jobs that enable you to either shape young minds or assist in helping young people persevere through difficult situations. Both careers are about supporting young people thrive as they go through key developmental stages and challenges.

Childcare and education worker

Childcare workers and educators care for and supervise young children in for-profit and non-profit venues such as childcare centers, daycares, kindergartens, and crèches. They provide opportunities for children to learn and play in a friendly, supportive environment that’s sensitive to their developmental needs.

Key responsibilities of childcare workers include:

•       Providing physical, emotional, and educational support for children and toddlers under your care.
•       Preparing and delivering activities, games, meals and snacks.
•       Playing with and interacting with children, or supervising other staff while they work with kids.
•       Making sure the environment is safe and fun.
•       Working as part of a team with other staff, and providing feedback to parents about their kids.

Industry statistics

Childcare workers get paid an average hourly rate of $23 and salaries between $29-54k. Salaries go up as you accrue experience and earn higher qualifications.

Childcare and education work is a huge industry! It currently employs over 150,000 Australians with 17% growth in staff numbers over the last 5 years. The growth rate is attributed to increasingly more women returning to work after having a baby as well as recent government regulations to increase the ratio of childcare workers to children.

This means that childcare workers are in high demand, and that you’ll have more time to interact with each child under your care.

The ideal candidate

To become a childcare worker you’ll need, at a minimum, a Certificate III in Early Childhood Care, Childhood Education, and/or Children’s services (which will take 6 months full-time).

Other great course options include Diploma and Bachelor degree qualifications in early child development. You’ll also be required to have pediatric first aid training.

Learn more about becoming a childcare worker.

What kind of person would thrive in this role?

An ideal childcare worker will also have the following skills and traits to thrive in the role:

A flexible, high impact career

Working with children can be challenging, but rewarding too. You can see them learn and grow; reach important milestones like writing their own name, or learning to tie their shoes; and you play a vital role in the lives of children. Often both the kids and parents will let you know that they’re grateful for the work you do.

Childcare workers also play a huge role in shaping Australian society. You allow parents to return to their careers knowing their child will be safely looked after, and the work you do will have a positive impact in educating the next generation.

On top of the job satisfaction, childcare work allows good work/life balance – around half of workers are employed part-time, meaning that they can spend time with their own families too. There’s also many job opportunities as demand for childcare workers increases.

Youth worker

A related field to social work, youth workers help young people going through a difficult time by providing them with practical advice and emotional support. You can work in a range of settings, including community services, primary and secondary schools, the criminal justice system, and the housing system.

Key responsibilities of youth workers include:

• Meeting with young people – either individually or in group settings – to understand what’s going on in their lives, and what their needs are.
• Making sure young people are safe, which may involve connecting them with food banks, welfare services, or accommodation.
• Providing crisis counselling and early intervention support.
• Helping young people set and achieve their goals.
• Making sure that the young person has a support network in place, including family, friends, teachers and schools, healthcare professionals, family therapists, social workers, and government agencies.
• Monitors the progress of the young people they work with, ensuring their ongoing wellbeing and increased quality of life.

Industry statistics

There has been strong growth in the number of youth workers over recent years as governments are increasingly trying to support public health, particularly the mental health of the population. Youth workers earn an average salary of between $33-70k.

The ideal candidate

Typically, youth workers require vocational training such as a Diploma or Certificate IV in youth work, which takes 1-2 years to attain. About a third of Australian youth workers hold a bachelor’s degree, though not necessarily in youth work. Those who already hold qualifications may be able to enroll in a graduate diploma or master’s degree in the field.

Learn more about working in community services.

What kind of person would thrive in this role?

An ideal childcare worker will also have the following skills and traits to thrive in the role:

A rewarding, varied role

Although youth workers interact with young people who are often at crisis points in their lives, youth work can be rewarding. You can make a quick, practical impact in a young person’s life by finding them a safe place to sleep and making sure they have their next meal. 

You’re also involved with helping young people achieve their goals and making positive changes at a time in their life where you can start to see the longer term results. Be it through witnessing them become more engaged at school, or make decisions about their future careers after high school.

Every young person is different and faces different challenges, so your strategies as a youth worker will change, and the problems you’ll help to solve will be different each day. It may require some creative or lateral thinking to help a young person through their specific situation.

Many of the young people you work with may have received limited support before – they may have been written off, abused, or neglected. Giving them resources and coping strategies as they go through their adolescence and embark on their adult lives can offer them something unique and valuable, changing the course of their life in a positive way, and redressing some of the unjust mistreatment they’ve received.