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Who do Social Workers Help: Australian Career Guide
Candlefox
Are you considering a career in social work?
The role of a social worker can be extremely varied, but often revolves around working with individuals and their families in a commitment to their human rights and social justice. So, what do social workers do? Asides from the focus on supporting people through challenging circumstances and aim to improve their overall wellbeing, there are so many other different aspects to the role of a social worker.
That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to help break down everything you need to know about this fulfilling profession.
Industry Overview
A career in social work can create exciting opportunities. With low unemployment and the prediction of strong growth within the industry in the future, working as a social worker offers fantastic job security. With 36% of social workers employed on a part-time basis, the occupation provides great flexibility for those not seeking full-time work.
- 36% – part-time worker share
- 58.8% – social workers with a bachelor’s degree
Source: Job Outlook
$70,928
average salary for professional social workers
Source: Training.com.au
What Does a Social Worker Do?
Social workers can be used by a range of diverse individuals within the society. The help involved in social work often includes spending time with their program participants and acting as an advisor to help them move forward and improve their lives. Improvements can occur through accessing resources for health, wellbeing, housing, or other community services or identifying the cause of the issues.
Often working with other social and health professionals such as doctors, counsellors, and psychologists, social work services play an important role in the journey to becoming an independent participant within society.
Typically arranged through either government, private practices, or community agencies including hospitals/health services, employment services, youth, and aged services, or care facilities, social workers can assist with issues such as:
- Mental health issues
- Disabilities
- Substance abuse
- Unemployment/professional development
- Child protection/child abuse
- Domestic violence/family violence
- Gambling
- Unemployment
- Youth behavioural issues
These issues generally involve individuals or families facing a crisis within their lives and require the assistance of a social worker. As a result, being a social worker can prove challenging at times to help people work through tough situations. Finding a social worker in Australia is generally done through either Centrelink or the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
What Skills Does a Social Worker Need?
The challenges that arise from individuals facing crises in their lives can mean that the role of a social worker can prove to be complicated. As a result, social workers need to have the ability to be empathetic and be a good listener to help those in need. Qualified social worker, Sharon Schofield, who works with young people, insists that being non-judgmental is crucial. Having a great deal of emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills is essential for social workers to help in the community effectively.
In addition to the emotional skills required to be a social worker, a sound knowledge of the social sciences is vital to understand the relationship between individuals and society as a whole. Different areas of social sciences that social workers need to understand include education, economics, psychology, and legal aspects in an effort to assist people in need. Often needing to refer clients to other social and health care services, a social worker can be considered as a case manager for people in difficult circumstances to achieve their goals.
Organisational and administrative skills are also essential for a social worker, as case management of several clients requires critical attention to detail and an ability to liaise with other support services in order to assist a client. Day-to-day tasks for a social worker can involve a great deal of registration, emailing, and sorting through resources on behalf of the client.
Skills Summary
- Empathy
- Excellent listening
- A non-judgemental attitude
- Emotional intelligence
- Problem-solving
- Knowledge of social sciences
- Organisational skills
- Administration
NaviGator
Course Finder Questionnaire
How Can I Become a Social Worker?
There are many great pathways to beginning a career in social work. Various aspects of social sciences can be studied to specialise in different areas of social work, such as:
These types of qualifications are great if you’re looking to focus on a particular aspect of social work.
For a broader knowledge covering different aspects of social work, a Diploma of Community Services may be worth considering if you’re looking for a versatile job. For further undergraduate degree study options, a Bachelor of Community Services is also available to have a greater understanding of how to help clients struggling with personal issues.
Ready to begin a fulfilling career?
Working as a social worker can be an incredibly rewarding profession. While offering its challenges, social workers are ultimately making a big difference within our community, resulting in an incredibly satisfying career path!
Featured Provider
Hader Institute of Education (RTO 45162) is a leading online educator providing training services to individuals who want to pursue a career in mental health, youth work, community services, alcohol and other drugs and counselling programs. Courses are offered online and can be accessed anywhere in Australia through your home computer.
Courses found:
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (Geelong Only) CPC50220
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Diploma of Beauty Therapy (Geelong Only) SHB50115
This nationally recognised, Free TAFE course, is very highly regarded in the industry with our graduates achieving a 100% employment rate for the last two years! Advance into the next level of your beauty therapy career, expanding on your foundational...
Diploma of Engineering – Technical (Geelong Only) MEM50212
Are you looking to develop your engineering career, or gain practical engineering experience before undertaking a university degree? This course is designed for those wanting to work as an engineering technician, carrying out tasks such as engineering...
Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (Geelong Only) CPC40110
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Certificate II in Building and Construction (Carpentry) Pre-apprenticeship (Geelong Only) 22216VIC
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Diploma of Graphic Design (VIC ONLY) CUA50715
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Certificate IV in Information Technology (Geelong Only) ICT40118
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Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Geelong Only) MSL50118
This nationally recognised, Free TAFE course is tailored for individuals seeking to advance their career in modern science. If you hold a certificate in lab techniques, have a profound love for science, a thirst for understanding how things operate, an...
Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (Geelong Only) MSL40118
This nationally recognized, Free TAFE course is perfect for individuals who have a genuine passion for science, a curiosity about how the world functions, and a penchant for variety. If you’re also someone who leans towards meticulous planning an...
Certificate II in Animal Care (VIC ONLY) ACM20117
Calling all animal lovers! This free, nationally recognised TAFE course is for those with a heart full of love for our furry friends, offering a paw-some start in the animal care world. Opening doors for a career such as: Animal Care Attendant Animal S...
Certificate IV in Building and Construction (SE Melb Only) CPC40120
The Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) is designed to meet the needs of people working in the building industry and who aim to be builders and managers of small to medium-sized building projects. This nationally recognised qualifica...
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment TAE40122
The TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment is a life-changing qualification designed to help everyday people pass on their wealth of knowledge and expertise to others. This entry-level qualification is the most current version of the Cert...
Certificate III in Process Manufacturing (Perth Only) MSM30116
Advance your knowledge, gain more skills in Process Manufacturing. This course is tailored to students interested in advanced production work utilising a range of different support functions related to producing products. You will gain skills across va...
Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational) (Geelong Only) 22261VIC
Are you looking to enter the electrical industry, or get a taste for the trade before undertaking an apprenticeship? This pre-apprenticeship course is designed to give you the core skills and knowledge for the industry, and increase your opportunities...
Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) (Geelong Only) 22477VIC
This course prepares you for a career as a building designer, with the practical skills, knowledge and qualifications to work in the residential and commercial design and construction sectors. This course also gives you a great edge if you’re planning...
Certificate III in Horticulture (Geelong Only) AHC30716
If you enjoy being outdoors, have an interest in plants and gardens, and are looking for a hands-on career, then horticulture could be for you. This is a generalist horticulture course that will equip you with comprehensive skills and knowledge to succ...
Certificate III in Individual Support (Geelong & Werribee Only) CHC33015
Do you have a compassionate nature and good people skills? A career in aged care, disability, or home and community care could be for you. This is a new qualification that replaces the Certificate III in Aged Care, Certificate III in Home and Communit...
Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (VIC ONLY) CPC40912
THIS COURSE IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN VICTORIA ONLY This course covers common skills relevant for the plumbing industry in addition to specialist streams relevant to drainage, gas fitting, roof drainage, sewerage and more. These plumbing training cou...
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