Community workers facilitate community development initiatives and collective solutions within a community to address issues, needs and problems associated with recreational, health, housing, employment and other welfare matters.

Skill Level

2

Specialisations

• Community Development Officer
• Community Support Worker
• Housing Officer

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Community Worker is Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Relevant Qualification
  • Must possess a relevant qualification at AQF Level 5. This can be one of the following:
    • An ACWA accredited qualification
    • A recognised relevant qualification at AQF Level 5 or higher
    • A relevant diploma or higher qualification that is related to community services
  • Proficiency in English
    • Applicants must demonstrate their English proficiency in one of the following ways:
      • English language test results – must be within 3 years of the application
        • IETLS Level 7.0 in all bands
        • PTE Academic 65 in each band
        • Advanced (CAE) 185 in each band
        • TOEFL IBT PTE 24 in listening and reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking
      • Study conducted in English from a country where English is the main language
      • Two years of relevant industry experience in an English-speaking country
      • A suitable skills assessment that expired within the last 6 months
    • Employment and Currency
      • Applicants must demonstrate employment within the industry at an appropriate skill level within the last 4 years
        • Applicants with an ACWA accredited or recognised relevant qualification are deemed to have sufficient industry experience
        • Applicants with a relevant diploma or higher must have a minimum of 1 year full time or part-time equivalent industry experience in the last 4 years
      • Applicants must demonstrate their skills and knowledge are up to date by:
        • Holding a qualification that is less than 4 years old; or
        • A minimum of 3 months full-time employment or part-time equivalent in a relevant current role at the required skill level; or
        • At least 6 months relevant employment at the appropriate skill level in the past 18 months

Did you know?

There is a list of accredited courses by ACWA. It is better for you if you choose to study one of the accredited courses to get a positive skills assessment. Being an accredited course, it offers you the learning outcomes expected by ACWA, as well as provides you with work placement to fulfill the skills assessment criteria.

Provide support, information and advice to clients on emotional, financial, recreational, health, housing and other social welfare matters, and evaluate and coordinate the services of welfare and community service agencies.

Tasks

• Assessing clients’ needs and planning, developing and implementing educational, training and support programs
• Interviewing clients and assessing the nature and extent of difficulties
• Monitoring and reporting on the progress of clients
• Referring clients to agencies that can provide additional help
• Assessing community need and resources for health, welfare, housing, employment, training and other facilities and services
• Liaising with community groups, welfare agencies, government bodies and private businesses about community issues and promoting awareness of community resources and services
• Supporting families and providing education and care for children and disabled persons in adult service units, group housing and government institutions
• Supervising offenders on probation and parole
• Assisting young people to solve social, emotional and financial problems
• Preparing submissions for funding and resources, and reports to government bodies and other agencies

Skill Level

In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the following qualifications and experience:

• Australia (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
  • AQF Associate Degree; or
  • AQF Advanced Diploma; or
  • AQF Diploma
• New Zealand (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
  • NSQF Diploma

Please note: at least three years of relevant experience may be a substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Occupations in this Group

• 411711 Community Worker
• 411712 Disabilities Services Officer
• 411713 Family Support Worker
• 411714 Parole or Probation Officer
• 411715 Residential Care Officer
• 411716 Youth Worker