Community Services
Community Services is an exciting and growing profession with many opportunities for specialisation. This sector offers stability, career fulfilment and a wide variety of job roles.
What does the community services industry look like?
There’s no doubt that the area of Community Services is a fulfilling and growing profession, which offers stability, career fulfilment and a wide variety of job roles. Community Services offers growth for jobs, growth for clients, and personal growth for those who work in the sector. As Australia’s population ages, and as more awareness grows about the impact of mental health, roles in community Services become more far-reaching and more specialised.
What job roles are there in community services?
Some of the job roles you could undertake in this profession are Alcohol and Other Drugs Worker, Youth Worker, Volunteer Manager or Counsellor.
Below is everything you need to know about starting your career.
To have a sustainable career in the community services sector, you’ll need to have an intrinsic passion for helping others in need. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills will also be highly valued as you may be dealing with people of various physical, social, and emotional needs on the daily.
You will required to assess the nature and extent of their difficulties and provide appropriate assistance, and during so, monitor and report on their progress. Due to this industry being a very people-oriented field, individuals should also be able to foster positive, friendly relationships.
What skills do you need to work in community services?
Employers look for community service workers who can connect with others, communicate clearly and are well presented. Other skills they value include:
- being a “people-person”
- having a good understanding of customer service
- administration skills
- formal education qualifications
- First aid training and a Police Check are often required
Employers also value workers who display a high level of problem sensitivity; have a sound understanding of social interactions and why people behave the way that they do; and are able to effectively organise, plan, and prioritise their responsibilities and tasks at hand.
Find out more statistics about community services below.
"You need resilience and communication skills. You also need to learn how to work in a team and independently, and be able to use your discretion."Industry Q&A: Community Services with Tom Conley, President & Executive Managing DirectorRead the full testimonial
Industry Insights
There's no doubt that Community Services is an exciting and growing profession that offers stability, career fulfillment, and a wide variety of job roles.
Community Services Outlook & Salary
Full Time
Care workers
Full Time
Social workers
Full Time
Youth workers
Age Range & Education Levels
34 years old and younger
30.8%
35-54 years
46%
55 years and older
23.2%
Below Certificate III
18.6%
Certificate III and IV
21.7%
Diploma and above
59.6%
* All information on this page has been complied using figures from payscale.com.au and the Australian Government's joboutlook.gov.au - all figures are indications only, and are accurate at time of publication. Please do your own research before selecting a course or career.
Possible job roles
There's no doubt that the area of Community Services is an exciting and growing profession which offers stability, career fulfilment and a wide variety of job roles
Why study community services with Upskilled?
Upskilled’s community services online courses are delivered online, giving you the flexibility to enrol any time of the year and study at your own pace.
What will you learn?
Among other things, you'll learn how to:
- develop, facilitate and monitor all aspects of case management
- recognise and respond to diverse individuals in a range of roles and professions, based on your career desires.
You’ll also learn how to work within a structured community services framework and to apply specialist interpersonal and case working skills. Other skills include working with clients on personal, career, study & employment options and getting information about clients’ abilities and needs.
You will also potentially be providing resources to assist people, assessing needs in relation to treatment and conducting counselling or assessment interviews. Other roles in Community Services might involve helping clients adjust attitudes, expectations and behaviour, and consulting with clients to develop rehabilitation plans.
Do you need to do work placement?
Some of our community services courses will require you to undertake an industry placement that includes both clinical work and fieldwork. This ensures that you not only graduate with a qualification, but with valuable, practical experience and industry contacts to help further bolster your career.
What other study perks do you get with Upskilled?
Furthermore, your online course includes:
- comprehensive student support to help you throughout your study
- a dedicated online lecturer will be provided to assist you in your learning process and offer academic support
- access to a range of collaboration and communication tools that enable you to network and discuss with other students in your field, further enriching your overall student experience.
Some of the diplomas and certificates allow you to graduate with a Nationally Recognised Qualification that can boost your chances of employment and more opportunities to accelerate your learning even further.