24 Most Fulfilling Jobs That Work With Kids: Which Is Your Calling?
Have you been pondering a job working with kids — working to make a difference and enjoying yourself every day? Well, maybe you should. They’re some of the most rewarding careers out there.
But starting any kind of career can be daunting. It’s not always clear where to start, let alone dealing with questions of “will this be worth it?” or “where can I go after this?”
So, to help you get some idea of the career paths you could take, here’s a roundup of some of the most rewarding jobs working with kids. Working with children is a broad vocation, covering many types of jobs in development, education, support and healthcare — and beyond.
After surveying a wide range of people working with children, we found that these are the eight jobs rated most fulfilling.
Which one inspires you most? Read on to find out more about each role.
(View survey data. All salary and growth data sourced from JobOutlook.gov.au unless otherwise noted).
Childhood development jobs
1. School counsellor
As a school counsellor, you have daily interactions with children of all ages (depending on where in the school system you find yourself). Your mission is to help kids with their emotional development and support them during their education.
In this job you can expect:
average full-time salary
future growth
Working with children one-on-one for extended periods of time.
To work in this field, you will need to have one of the following qualifications:
- Diploma of Counselling
- Master of Counselling
- Graduate Diploma in Counselling
- Bachelor of Counselling
- Graduate Diploma of Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Certificate
- Graduate Diploma of Mental Health
- Graduate Certificate in Mental Health
- Graduate Certificate in Educational Wellbeing
All of the above options allow you to study from home, ensuring you have some flexibility while you study.
2. Youth worker
As a youth worker, you can expect to find yourself assisting young people as individuals or in groups as they navigate emotional and financial problems.
In this job you can expect:
average full-time salary
future growth
Working with children on a one-on-one basis.
Gina's experience as a youth worker
“I’m just about into my third year, and have thought about trying another field, but I enjoy the working relationships I’ve formed with my team, every day is filled with different challenges. Not saying it’s all roses — that would be ridiculously untrue — but nothing is more satisfying than helping a young person grow.”
— Gina, Residential Youth Worker
To work in this field, you will need to obtain one of the following qualifications:
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- Diploma of Youth Work
- Diploma of Community Services
- Certificate in Youth Development and Counselling
These are just some of the courses you can take to become a youth worker. The above options provide online learning, ensuring flexibility while you study.
Education jobs working with kids
3. Teacher’s aide
Becoming a teacher’s aide will have you working exceptionally closely with children of all ages as you work to support educators in the goal of educating the youth of Australia. It is also a very diverse career, as the job can vary slightly depending on the specialisation you may choose.
In this job you can expect:
average full-time salary
future growth
Working with children on a one-on-one basis.
Olivia's experience as a teacher's aide
“My advice would be to make sure you love it as working with these specific children can be quite mentally challenging. Also I would say that volunteering at a school can really help you to obtain a position.”
— Olivia, teacher’s aide
General teacher’s aide
As a general teacher’s aide, you will commonly be hired by a school to help teachers in their classroom’s day-to-day running. In this area, it is common to find yourself assigned to classrooms with children you have trouble concentrating, English is their second language, or they have physical or intellectual special needs (such as autism or learning disabilities).
To work in this area, you will need a Certificate lll in Education Support.
Integration aides
While very similar to general aides, you will find yourself working with children who have special needs in this specialisation. However, it is essential to note that, depending on a school’s budget, schools may only employ these aides on a ‘needs basis’.
To work in this area, you will need a Certificate IV in Education Support.
Early childhood teacher’s aides
In this field, you will find yourself only working with preschool-aged children, so if you enjoy children under five, this is the job for you. Here, you can expect to help with classroom activities for younger children.
To work in this area, you will need a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Flexible online courses are available for those wanting to enter this field.
4. Early childhood teacher (preschool teacher)
As an early childhood teacher, you work with children aged between 2 and 5 years old, helping kids become confident learners and develop skills they will need for the future.
In this job you can expect:
average full-time salary
future growth
a child’s development, learning and progress in key areas (like communication skills).
To work in this field, you will need this qualification:
5. Early childhood educator (childcare worker)
A childcare assistant provides care and structured learning for children. They are responsible for supervising children aged between 6 weeks and five years old, usually in a daycare centre.
In this job, you can expect:
average full-time salary
future growth
Supervising children at all times, coordinating ther routines and prepare materials and equipment.
To work in this field, you will need to obtain one of the following qualifications:
Both courses above allow you to conduct your study online, ensuring a flexible learning environment.
Jobs supporting kids
5. Family support worker
A family support worker assists Social and Welfare workers by providing extra services and support to families.
In this job you can expect:
average full-time salary
future growth
You’ll interact with kids daily.
To work in this field, you will need to obtain one of the following qualifications:
- Certificate III in Community Services
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- Diploma of Community Services
- Diploma of Mental Health
All of the courses listed above can be conducted online for a more flexible study schedule, with some providing a blended mix of online and in-class learning.
6. Disability support worker
As a disability support worker, you provide care, supervision, and support in homes, residential establishments, clinics, and hospitals. You will also have the opportunity to liaise with other health professionals to maximise the individual’s health and wellbeing.
In this job you can expect:
average full-time salary
future growth
with children of varying ages
To work in this field, you will need to obtain one of the following qualifications:
- Certificate IV in Disability
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
- Certificate III in Education Support
The above courses are conducted online for a more flexible learning experience.
Getting a Working With Children Check
Getting your Working with Children Check is easier than you might think, but it can be vital when securing any kind of employment where children are involved.
What you’ll need:
- To prove your identity with documents using your phone
- To fill out an online form
- Depending on which type of application you are filling in, it will impact the cost, a volunteer application is free, but an employee one costs $121 (to qualify as a volunteer, you must not be paid for the work you do regarding children)
- To give your consent to us passing your info on to do your check
What the check is looking for:
- It looks into your criminal record in all Australian states and territories, including any charges, regardless of the outcome
- Your professional conduct as determined by the Victorian Institute of Teaching, the Suitability Panel (established under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and the Commission for Children and young people and
- Whether you’re required to report under sex offender legislation
Find more information on the Working with Children site.
16 more jobs working with children
7. Mental health support worker
- Qualification: Certificate IV in Mental Health
- An average salary of $71,448
8. School social worker
- Qualification: Masters of Social Work
- Average salary $95,108
9. Primary school teacher
- Qualification: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)
- Average salary $93,654
10. Childcare centre director
- Qualification: Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Average salary $66,144
11. Secondary school teacher (high school)
- Qualification: Bachelor of Education
- Average salary $99,528
12. Art therapist
- Qualification: Bachelor of Art Therapy
- Average salary $73,808
13. Occupational therapist
- Qualification: Bachelor or Masters of Occupational Therapy
- Average salary $81,588
14. Child protection officer
- Qualification: Diploma of Community Services
- Average salary $71,448
15. Child psychologist
- Qualification: Postgraduate degree in psychology, plus a set time of supervised practice
- Average salary $96,564
16. School psychologist
- Qualification: Graduate Diploma of Psychology
- Average salary $96,564
17. Paediatrician
- Qualification: Medical degree plus Advanced Training in General Paediatrics from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
- Average salary $258,752
18. Paediatric nurse (registered nurse)
- Qualification: Bachelor of Nursing
- Average salary $99,268
19. Special care worker
- Qualification: Certificate III in Community Services
- Average salary $69,732
20. Special education teacher
- Qualification: Bachelor of Education (Special Education)
- Average salary $99,528
21. Nanny
- Qualification: Rates negotiated with employer or nanny service
- No degree required
22. Speech pathologist
- Qualification: Bachelor or masters degree in speech-language pathology
- Average salary of $95,004
23. School librarian
- Qualification: Bachelor degree in librarianship or information management
- Average salary $86,008
24. Play therapist
- Qualification: Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- An average monthly salary of $52,936
Working with children isn’t easy. It requires patience and a deep passion for children. They can be stubborn and cranky, but if you ask anyone who works with them daily, they’d also tell you it’s the most rewarding thing on earth. Watching kids learn new things — like seeing them smile after they’ve finally figured out the maths problem they had been struggling to understand — lifts the soul and makes every bit worthwhile. It’s a career choice you won’t regret.
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