Family 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 family 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 family 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.
Physical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Imaginative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a family support worker
A family support worker works with at-risk families through child protection, early childhood intervention, foster care, adoption, and family services.
A family support worker’s job description can include:
- Providing support and advocacy to families in need
- Providing emotional support to families
- Conducting needs and risk assessments for families
- Consulting with other professionals in a multi-disciplinary team
- Managing and guiding clients finances, home management and budgets
- Managing administration and accurate record-keeping
- Visiting family homes
- Providing mental health support
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.
Enjoyable
Working in the community as a family support worker exposes you to a wide range of family types. Supporting families in improving their lives can be a gratifying experience.
Makes a difference
Family support is part of a broad sector of people and organisations that work together to improve the lives of others. Actions you take in your role can be instrumental in improving the quality of life for entire families.
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 family support worker
The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is the largest employing industry in Australia, with around 1.7 million employees. This number is set to increase to more than 1.9 million by 2024.
Within this industry, vacancies for welfare support workers, such as family support worker jobs, are projected to increase between now and 2024. This increase could be attributed to the overall rise in demand for services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported in this recent survey taken by community sector managers.
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 family support worker puts you front and centre with vulnerable people from the community. Starting in the position can lead you to progress further in this field or into related jobs.
Some pathways could be:
Junior
-
Support worker
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015)
-
Volunteer coordinator
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
-
Youth support worker
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
Mid
-
Outreach worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315)
-
Community development officer
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Development (CHC52115)
-
Youth Worker
Most common qualification: Diploma of Youth Work (CHC50413)
-
Disabilities service officer
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43115)
-
Child protection practitioner
Most common qualification: Diploma of Youth Work (CHC50413)
Senior
-
Community development manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
-
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.
When entering a new job, you often bring skills from previous employment and experiences with you. Sometimes, these soft skills can be the difference between being good at a job and excelling in it.
Some skills that would be a considerable advantage in family support are:
Teamwork
As a part of the wider community services industry, you are required to work with other staff and support services, like social workers or caseworkers, and use good communication skills to ensure the best service to your clients.
Adaptability
No one day in family support is the same. A dynamic approach to situations and flexibility is an asset in this challenging yet rewarding role.
Social skills
In a role as a family support worker, you are face to face with people every day. Good social skills mean creating a good rapport with clients, other service providers and the public.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
A role in family support requires specific knowledge and skills that you can only acquire through learning or hands-on experience. Some of the skills you need are:
Knowledge of the child protection and welfare system
Risk and needs assessments
Active engagement strategies
Advocacy and injustice
Counselling and mentoring
Workplace administration and record-keeping
Communicating with children and young people
Dealing with drug and alcohol addiction
Community health
How to become a family support worker
-
Study
Completing a certificate course through a recognised training provider in social or community services like a Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015) or Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (CHC40313) means you have the fundamental skills needed to start your career. You could also choose to study a Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) or Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015).
-
Obtain a Working with Children Check and Police Check
When you start a new job that involves working with vulnerable individuals, you are generally required to pass a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check. Getting a Police Check requires a process of providing personal details and identification to request a full national Criminal History Background Check and report of the outcome.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate III in Community Services
A Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015) can be a pathway to entry positions in community services settings. The course provides the skills needed to be the first point of contact for community members and assist immediate needs. Work at this level takes place under direct supervision from senior staff.
The average course duration is one year full-time, has blended learning formats, can be self-paced, and particular providers offer payment plans.
14 providers offer this course
Certificate IV in Child, Youth & Family Intervention
A Certificate IV in Child, Youth & Family Intervention (CHC40313) is the preferred option for those working in a role in youth and family intervention, including family support and early intervention to satisfy the Child Safety Framework.
Many course providers require applicants to complete and pass a Pre-training and Language Literacy and Numeracy Assessment, which they typically arrange for you.
The average duration for this course is one year. The course can be self-paced, a combination of in-class and online and has a work placement element.
An Australian government fee subsidy may be available to you.
3 providers offer this course
Diploma of Counselling
A Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) provides skills in counselling to those who wish to work with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling techniques.
At this level, the counsellor works in a supporting role in an established agency rather than independently.
The average duration for this diploma is one year and can be online in a self-paced setting.
2 providers offer this course
Diploma of Community Services
A Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015) prepares learners for a role in community services, case management and social housing workers. These roles involve the direction and coordination of person-centred services and may have responsibilities in supervising others.
The average course duration is 18 months, can be completed online or in a blended format and can be self-paced. This course also requires work experience to be undertaken.
Government fee subsidies may be available to you.
12 providers offer this course
Related subjects
Jobs in community services come in many forms, have strong future growth and always need enthusiastic and empathetic team players.
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
Kate
Sep 22 2021Supporting and empowering families in need and improving their circumstances.
What are the best parts of the job?
Working with families and young people to improve their situation and be there to support and empower them.
What's the most challenging part?
Working with other professionals who do not see the benefit in social and emotional learning.
Monette
Sep 23 2021Rewarding but behaviour problems can be challenging.
What are the best parts of the job?
Working with people who need your help.
What's the most challenging part?
Dealing with patients who have high behaviour problems.
Emma
Sep 23 2021Love seeing clients who are satisfied with the outcome.
What are the best parts of the job?
When the client is happy with the outcome.
What's the most challenging part?
When the client becomes upset and is not happy with the outcome.
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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?
A job in family support and social services requires a love for working with people, bags of empathy and an ability to thrive in a challenging yet rewarding environment. The people best suited to this role are those that have the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer is suited to a role with direct contact with people or animals and excels in a social, team environment.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
What does a family support worker do?
Family support workers work with welfare services to provide support to at-risk families in the community.
What is a family violence support worker?
This specialised role involves working with families to assess situations, facilitate the proper support and ultimately help the family stay together as one unit.
How much does a family support worker earn?
In Australia, a family support worker earns an average yearly salary of approximately $69K
What makes a good family support worker?
It’s important for a family support worker to be non-judgemental, understanding of differing family situations, empathetic and have high emotional-intelligence. Family support workers need to have good communication skills, as they are required to work with other support services such as social workers and caseworkers.