7 Rewarding Pathways into a Community Services Career

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to help people in need, improve society and assist your community? Then a career in community services could be for you.

Working in the community services sector can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll help people struggling with various issues and help them get back on their feet.

This broad sector in Australia is full of rewarding job opportunities where you can work to better the lives of the community around you. And if you’re looking for a secure career path, look no further. The health care and social assistance industry is the largest and fastest-growing industry in Australia, and the demand for workers in community services is high.

Before you look at study paths, it’s essential to learn about the sector. This comprehensive guide contains all the information you need to decide whether a career in community service is right for you.

Counselling is one of the fastest-growing fields in community service. It’s also one of the most fulfilling ways to help others by equipping them with the tools and advice they need to live their best lives.

The workforce is relatively mature, with an average age of 46 years, making this an ideal second (or third) career for many.

As a counsellor, you work with a diverse range of clients — couples, families, individuals and groups — helping people deal with grief, relationship problems, substance abuse, depression or anxiety.

You help clients see different ways to view situations and offer new approaches to manage them. Counsellors also spend a lot of time listening — a skill that takes patience and practice to master.

If you want to kick-start your career in counselling, here are some roles to consider:

You can become a counsellor by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and counselling or gaining a postgraduate qualification. You can also enter the industry if you start with a diploma level qualification — it’s just dependent on what kind of role you’re aiming to start in.

These popular counselling courses are perfect to start your journey:

If you are looking for a rewarding career working with people, consider entering the mental health industry, where you can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Mental illnesses can affect anyone at any time, and nearly half of all Australian adults will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives.

Many workers in this field enter mental health after either doing some work or volunteer experience in the community services sector before branching out into mental health work.

First-hand experience can also help you get accepted into a mental health course. If you have a friend or family member who has experienced mental health issues, this can give you the understanding and empathy to make a massive difference as a mental health worker.

Job outcomes for a mental health worker

Mental health support work is a flexible career path that can be tailored to your interests and skills as you develop them. If you’re interested in this line of work, you’ll need to be confident working with vulnerable people with complex needs and from all walks of life. You’ll also need good communication and teamwork skills and the ability to maintain strong relationships with other professionals.

You can start out in an entry-level position, such as a mental health support worker or care assistant. You might also consider youth or disability services, which will give you plenty of transferable skills that will help you to advance your career later on.

Working with people with a disability is an important role in the community, and immensely rewarding. Aged and disabled carers are now often called ‘workers in Individual Support’ to better reflect the nature of their care, which is individualised to the client’s needs.

Almost 20% of Australians have a disability, meaning 3.96 million people in Australia require some care or assistance. There are now over 175,000 workers in the aged and disabled carers sector, and employment is expected to grow strongly.

Aged and disabled carers work in most parts of Australia, and nearly all job roles are in health care and social assistance.

Job outcomes for a disability worker

If you’re looking to start your career in disability support services, there are many different pathways you can take. It’s a diverse field, with options across residential, community and individualized services.

To start your career in disability support, take a course in individual support. The course will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge you need to work with people who have disabilities. It covers things like how to help someone move safely, what a person’s rights are, how to communicate clearly and much more.

An individual support course is often the first step toward being able to work as a disability support worker or personal care assistant. Over half of disability support workers hold a Certificate IV or Certificate III.

Even if you want to go on to study something different (for example, nursing), it’s still a good idea to complete this course first because it provides you with an excellent foundation for further education or training.

Aged care is a big issue in Australia — and one that’s getting bigger. It has been estimated that by 2057, the number of Australians over 65 will more than double to 8.8 million people.

That means more opportunities for workers in the industry, including nursing professionals, support workers and llied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers.

Aged care is a rewarding career if you are a compassionate and caring person who wants to make a difference in the lives of older people. In an aged care career, you help older Australians and their carers to live comfortably and independently at home, in residential aged care or in retirement villages.

Job outcomes for an aged care worker

Aged care workers may choose to specialise in a particular type of care or focus on a specific group of people.

The scope of aged care workers’ roles varies depending on their qualifications, skills, experience and the organisation they work for.

Work settings include:

A qualification in community services can help you gain a career assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with healthcare, mental health, family services, education services and more.

To specialise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services, you will need to undertake specific electives that can teach you about the importance of the cultural protocols and practices, amongst many other important aspects of indigenous societies.

Working in child protection means providing a child-centred, family-focused service that best protects children and young people from harm or abuse within the family. Youth work often involves helping prevent family violence and protecting young people, as well as providing them with care services.

Job outcomes for a child protection worker

In community services, you can also make a career for yourself helping those suffering from alcohol and drug abuse. Choosing a qualification in Alcohol and Other Drugs can give workers the skills to support clients who are suffering from issues related to alcohol and drugs. By working in this area, you’ll be making a fulfilling contribution to the community and changing lives.

These are some of the examples of potential job paths that can get you a career in the community services sector in Australia. There are loads more examples of possible career paths, suitable for people at all stages of their career. Whether you’re a school leaver hoping to begin their career or looking for a career change, there are countless opportunities in the healthcare and social assistance industry.

Jobs in community services can be found all over Australia and in several different departments. Do your research into the community services sector, and your potential dream job may come your way.

Most people will find that they have skills and experience that are transferrable to the industry. Depending on the role you choose in community services, age and experience can be precious commodities. For example, nearly 10% of ‘welfare workers’ in community services (including job titles such as community worker, disabilities services officer or family support) are aged over 60.

Aside from qualifications, there is a range of skills and attributes that are necessary for success within any role in the community services industry.

These include:

Working in a government position such as community services comes with a load of benefits. This is due to the stressful environment in which you’ll often work in, as well as the advantage that you’ll provide back to the government through the work you do for them.

During high school, students will often be required to complete a number of hours of unpaid community service work for the local community. There’s a range of options available for students to complete their support services, whether that be in disability services, aged care or a community centre. There’s also a range of organisations that young people can volunteer in outside of school programs.

If you’re looking for a way to help people through unpaid work, check out these range of organisations that are always looking for people to volunteer:

A career in community services can take many forms, from caring for the elderly to supporting people with a disability. The most important thing is that you are passionate about helping others and improving their quality of life.

Fastrack your career in community service by upskilling today!