The Social Work and Community Services industry is one of the largest employing industries in Australia – and based on some of the recent employer partners we’ve had join us, we agree it’s definitely a growing sector!
Working in social care and assistance often means dealing with vulnerable people experiencing poverty, discrimination, domestic violence or economic hardship. You’ll usually work as part of a multidisciplinary team with other healthcare professionals and liaise closely with patients’ families or carers.
A career in social care and social assistance can be physically and emotionally demanding. You’ll often be frontline helping people at their most vulnerable, but seeing that the care you have provided has improved health, recovery, or reduced suffering can be incredibly satisfying.
Let’s take a look at six potential pathways you could explore.
6 Rewarding Roles in Social Care & Social Assistance
1. Aged Care Support Worker
Aged Care Workers support older adults by assisting with daily activities and personal tasks to ensure they lead a proactive and healthy life within their capabilities.
This includes providing support with eating, showering, dressing, tidying and cleaning. They may also help them with social activities and getting to and from various appointments as needed.
Aged Care Workers can work from their client’s home or within a residential care facility.
Top Skills Required:
- Patience and empathy.
- Communication and active listening.
- Organisation and time management.
Entry Pathways
- TAFE or Vocational Training
- Traineeship
- Apprenticeship
Explore More With Our Employer Partners:
2. NDIS Support Worker
Similar to Aged Care Workers, NDIS Support workers help people with a disability to lead independent lives.
They provide support with daily living skills such as shopping, cooking, travel, and getting to work or training. They may also help their clients to attend social activities and events, as well as helping them with other life skills such as budgeting, paying their bills, attending medical appointments and similar activities.
NDIS support workers usually have a set caseload of individuals they support throughout the week.
Top Skills Required:
- Relationship building.
- Communication and active listening.
- Time Management.
Entry Pathways
- TAFE or Vocational Training
- Apprenticeship
Explore More With Our Employer Partners:
- Life Without Barriers
3. Indigenous Health Workers
Indigenous health workers help to ensure that the health services most of us take for granted effectively reach indigenous communities.
These professionals improve the health services provided to Indigenous patients by liaising between health care professionals and Indigenous people. They may work with individuals, groups or as part of a dedicated health program that provides targeted support and access around a particular health concern for a community group.
Indigenous Health Workers are pivotal in regional communities, and many also work as advocates, liaising with governmental departments to improve policies and access for the groups they support.
Top Skills Required:
- Cultural Sensitivity.
- Communication, translating and active listening.
Entry Pathways
- TAFE or Vocational Training
- Degree
4. Social Worker
Social workers support a range of different clients across different parts of our communities. Social workers will usually specialise their role in working with one core cohort of individuals: newborns, infants and families, young people, people with mental health conditions, people with physical disabilities, or people with neurodiverse needs.
Their primary function is to support the overall social well-being of those they work with and help advocate for their needs where appropriate. This might be about accessing suitable housing, medical care, or education and training. They may also help with employability and finding fair employment.
Essentially, they want to help those they support become more independent and able to lead the quality of life they want, empowering them to take control of their various life domains.
Social workers practice in various settings, including aged and residential care facilities, schools and youth community groups, hospitals and medical facilities, prisons, and probation services.
Top Skills Required:
- Patience and empathy.
- Ownership and responsibility.
Entry Pathways
- TAFE or Vocational Training
- Degree
5. Community Engagement Officer
Community engagement officers work for various organisations to help get the messages and resources that the organisation promotes out to their target audience who would benefit from it.
This might be around healthcare education and awareness, drugs and alcohol awareness, addiction, youth support, or something else.
They work on building relationships with other groups and organisations to create a connected network of support that best helps those they want to reach. They may take the lead on coordinating community events, social activities and anything else that helps support the community they serve.
Top Skills Required:
- Cultural awareness.
- Relationship building.
- Communication and active listening.
Entry Pathways
- TAFE or Vocational Training
- Apprenticeship
- Degree
6. Youth Support Worker
Youth support workers fulfil similar roles and duties as social workers, but they specifically work with young people – usually young teens.
They work to connect with young people in groups or as individuals, learn about the issues they’re facing and support them to solve problems, improve their social and emotional well-being and manage their future direction through study and work choices.
They may work within schools and community youth groups, as they may work with specific groups, such as homeless youth or those transitioning from the care system to live on their own for the first time. It can be a challenging but enriching role.
Top Skills Required:
- Patience and empathy.
- Relationship building.
Entry Pathways
- TAFE or Vocational Training
- Degree
Find Out More
You’ll notice we’ve included details of the employer partners we work with that operate in this industry. We’re dedicated to working with a wide range of employers to help you explore and get started in the roles you’re interested in!
We’re constantly partnering with more employers and highly recommend you check out our Employer Profiles for more information – and keep checking back as we add more.
Don’t forget, our Industry Profiles are another great way to learn more about a particular industry, available roles, salaries, entry pathways, and much more.
Head over to our Health & Social Care Industry Profile now to keep learning.
