Community support worker job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed community support workers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed community support workers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Physical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a community support worker
So, what does a community service worker do every day? Some responsibilities are:
- Visiting clients in their homes
- Providing personal care assistance such as grooming, bathing and dressing
- Assisting with social and financial problems
- Providing emotional support
- Assessing other client needs
- Planning, developing and implementing support programs
- Monitoring and reporting on clients' progress
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Makes a difference
Sometimes, the only thing holding some people back in life is the inability to perform simple tasks the majority of us take for granted. Providing empowerment to people and being able to support them in their lives is truly rewarding.
Flexible hours
As part of the NDIS system, eligible clients can allocate work hours for the assistance they require when they need it. This casualised employment model could be perfect if you wish to fit work around your life or have family commitments.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a community support worker
The economic and social costs of COVID-19 have and are set to continue to shape the broader community services industry, driving high demand for workers.
This pattern is predicted to continue over the next five years, including plenty of job opportunities in community support.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
A role as a community support worker enriching the lives of others can be highly gratifying. It can also open you up to more job openings in senior or related disciplines in the future.
Some job pathways could be:
Junior
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Support worker
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015)
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Volunteer coordinator
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
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Youth support worker
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
Mid
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Outreach worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315)
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Family support worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (CHC40313)
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Community development officer
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Development (CHC52115)
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Youth worker
Most common qualification: Diploma of Youth Work (CHC50413)
Senior
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Community development manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
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Care manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Working closely with people in a caregiving capacity requires personality traits and skills that you can’t learn in a classroom. Abilities you may have picked up from other jobs in the community, or different life experiences, could have you more prepared than you think.
Empathy
A compassionate nature and kindness go a long way in a role as a community support worker. Some clients might feel embarrassed or inadequate in certain areas, and putting yourself in their shoes helps the client feel safe and at ease.
Active listening
Some clients may struggle to communicate or articulate themselves at times. Active listening involves picking up non-verbal cues, learning by asking questions, and being extremely patient.
Social skills
Community support means being around people all of the time. Good social skills make clients feel comfortable, build a good rapport and make the job more enjoyable.
Time management
Good time management is a must for a role in community support. You may require travel to be at certain places on time, and clients may need help going to appointments and rely on your punctuality.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
A role in community support requires specific knowledge and skills that you can only acquire through learning or hands-on experience. Some of the skills you needed are:
Facilitation and client support
Community development framework
Crisis response
Assessment of client needs
Case management
Promotion of social, emotional and physical wellbeing
Counselling and mentoring
Health and safety and first aid
Aged care
Advocacy and injustice services
Manage group activities and programs
How to become a community support worker
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Study
To gain the fundamental skills required to work in a community super worker role, complete a Diploma in Community Services (CHC52015) through TAFE or a registered training organisation. This qualification also provides valuable work experience in the community, which develops confidence in the job.
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Volunteer
Contact your nearest community support organisation and volunteer your time. Having real experience in the field cements your desire to work in a community support role and show prospective employers that you are a good fit for the job.
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Police check
When you work with vulnerable individuals, you are often required to pass a national police check. This check is usually requested as part of the recruitment process.
Explore related qualifications
Diploma of Community Services
A Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015) provides the necessary skills for a career in community services. Under this banner are jobs in family welfare, community health, employment services and disability services.
Work at this level involves specialised skills in community support and is usually performed autonomously under the broader guidance of senior management.
The average course duration is 18 months, can be studied online or in a blended learning format, and can be completed full-time or part-time in a self-paced environment.
Learners may be eligible for Australian government subsidies. The Diploma of Community Services is offered under Victorian Free TAFE, which means you may be able to study for free. Enquire about a course to find out if you’re eligible.
12 providers offer this course
Related subjects
A job helping others in the community can take many forms. The community services industry is a broad one and has many opportunities for new employees. You may like to look at some other roles in the sector.
Some other subjects to explore:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Jason
Aug 11 2021I love making a positive impact on peoples lives, but the mental health system is overwhelmed.
What are the best parts of the job?
Assisting people in achieving their goals and seeing them make a difference in their lives is really fulfilling. Offering hope and also seeing joy on peoples faces makes the hard days worthwhile. It's great gaining new mental health workers who build a great rapport with their customers. It's also a flexible role where you work with a diverse range of people.
What's the most challenging part?
Clients not engaging or responding due to drug and alcohol intake makes the job hard. There's also the challenge of the mental health system, which cannot respond in a timely manner.
Lachlan
Aug 27 2021Get to work with all kinds of unique people and help with their hardships.
What are the best parts of the job?
Work with the community to resolve conflicts and having a high success rate is very rewarding. Dealing with all ages and genders also adds variety to each day and means you make impactful changes in a range of demographics.
What's the most challenging part?
Making sure that I understand the needs of those I am dealing with.
Joseph
Aug 27 2021I enjoy critical thinking so I can work out what clients need.
What are the best parts of the job?
Problem solving and figuring out the best way to help clients is a satisfying aspect of the job. No two client's have the same needs, and it's fun working towards their individual goals.
What's the most challenging part?
It isn't always easy understanding people's needs.
Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
Community work that provides people that need a little extra help in life is best suited to the career personality type of The Carer.
The Carer thrives on roles that connect them directly with people, helping them set and achieve goals and live the best life possible. They also use their empathetic and compassionate nature to make people feel at ease and safe in their company.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
How can a community services worker support a client's health?
Using communication skills and active listening, having a good report with clients enables them to feel safe enough to speak to a support person about any health issues they face. Also, being in close contact with these people helps support people to identify potential health issues.
A community support person might support the client in making positive hygiene and food choices. They also know how to access the relevant health providers or doctor services.
What does a support worker do in the community?
Community Support Workers work with individual people or community groups to provide care and support, to promote independence and good quality of life.
How much does a community services worker earn?
The average yearly salary for a community support worker in Australia is approximately $69K.
What makes a good community services worker?
Community services workers need to have high emotional intelligence and be personable, patient and empathetic. To be a good community support worker, you need to be able to create trusting relationships with the people you care for.