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Youth Worker



Duties and Tasks
Specialisations
Quick Facts
Work Conditions
Personal Requirements
Related Industries
Labour Market
Related Jobs
Earnings
Related Courses
Further Information
State Specific Information

Talking with young people about ways of improving their community
Talking with young people about ways of improving their community


Youth workers work with and support young people, individually or in groups, to deal with social, emotional or financial problems. 

Fact Sheet

Duties and Tasks

Youth workers may perform the following tasks:

  • provide information about community services and resources available for young people
  • plan, conduct and evaluate programs for young people, such as employment and training, education, self-development, accommodation, welfare and counselling
  • plan and organise activities including sports, handicrafts, dancing, drama, hiking, bushwalking and holiday camps
  • attend meetings, conferences and training sessions
  • evaluate data and write reports and submissions requesting funding for continuing programs and new projects
  • assist in developing policy affecting young people
  • establish and supervise youth clubs in the local community
  • plan and organise small neighbourhood support groups
  • act as advocates (representatives) for young people who have a grievance with government departments or other organisations
  • interview young people to discuss and identify problems
  • provide support and advice to young people experiencing difficulties, such as family problems, unemployment, illness, drug abuse and homelessness
  • arrange and provide counselling and/or food, shelter or clothing
  • arrange for, and evaluate the effectiveness of, community support services
  • assess risks and provide intensive short-term crisis counselling for victims of domestic violence or child abuse
  • arrange for the referral of clients to appropriate specialists or community agencies
  • work closely with teachers, social and welfare workers, local authorities, health professionals, refuge workers, parents and, in some instances, the police.

Specialisations

Family Support Worker

Info Icon Quick Facts

Learning Area Economics  
Home Economics  
Industrial Arts  
Work Demand Including reading or writing  
Work Field Health and Community Services  
Work Interest Helping or Advising  
Organising or Clerical  
Skill Level Para Professional Jobs  
Professional Jobs  
Quick Facts

Work Conditions

Youth workers work in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, corrective institutions, youth refuge and community centres, and in Scouting, Guides, YWCA, YMCA and other organisations. They also work in places where young people congregate, including shopping centres, parks and reserves. Youth workers often work unsupervised and much of their work takes place outside normal hours.

Personal Requirements

  • initiative and leadership qualities
  • good interpersonal and communication skills
  • able to work independently
  • a non-judgmental attitude
  • able to plan and organise.

Related Industries

Social Assistance Services

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Youth and Disability Workers

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Youth and Disability Workers (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Australian VolunteerSearch - Counselling and Welfare for ALL AUSTRALIA
Work Opportunities websites

Related Jobs

Alcohol and Drug Worker
Child Care Coordinator
Community Worker
Diversional Therapist
Social Service Case Manager
Social Worker
Teacher - Early Childhood
Teacher - Primary
Teacher - Secondary
Welfare Centre Manager

Earnings


Income of persons working full-time, 2006
Welfare Associate Professionals

Income per Week Number Share (%)
$1000 or more 3,613 27.1
$400 - $599 1,430 10.7
$600 - $799 4,038 30.3
$800 - $999 3,854 28.9
Less than $400 382 2.9


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the 2006 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.


Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006
Welfare Associate Professionals

Employment Status Weekly Income ($)
Full-time 867
Part-time 519


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey conducting annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

How Much?

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council Ltd
Northern Territory Correctional Services - Don Dale Juvenile Detention Centre
Youth Action and Policy Association of New South Wales
Youth Affairs Council of South Australia
Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia
Youth Affairs Network of Queensland
Youth Network of Tasmania

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Researching information on community workgroups
Researching information on community workgroups

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