Youth workers support young people in social and wellbeing programs. They may work in youth centres, community facilities or offices, and work with groups or one on one.
Find out what a youth worker does and the related Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and pathways you can take to secure a job.
What is a youth worker?
As a youth worker, you will help young people with social, emotional or financial challenges.
You will support them to improve their social and emotional wellbeing. You may connect them with other services, or education and training.
This job suits people who are compassionate and empathetic.
Find out more about youth workers(opens in a new window) and these related jobs on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- careers counsellor(opens in a new window)
- community worker(opens in a new window)
- counsellor (other)(opens in a new window)
- disabilities services officer(opens in a new window)
- drug and alcohol counsellor(opens in a new window)
- early childhood educator(opens in a new window)
- family and marriage counsellor(opens in a new window)
- family support worker(opens in a new window)
- parole or probation officer(opens in a new window)
- rehabilitation counsellor(opens in a new window)
- residential care officer(opens in a new window)
- student counsellor(opens in a new window)
- welfare worker(opens in a new window).
Related training courses
Search for related vocational and education training (VET) courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):
- alcohol and other drugs(opens in a new window)
- community services(opens in a new window)
- counselling(opens in a new window)
- disability(opens in a new window)
- mental health(opens in a new window)
- welfare(opens in a new window).
You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course.
Average salary
The average weekly earnings for youth workers in Australia is $1,050.
Source: Your Career(opens in a new window)
Note this salary is current as of May 2024 and is indicative only. A range of salaries apply to different roles across the industry.
Job demand in Victoria
Below is the number of welfare support worker jobs in Victoria. Figures show the number of workers in 2023 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2026.
‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 years. These forecasts are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.
Note that specific data is not available for youth workers.
| Region | Workers 2023 | Workforce growth 2023-2026 | New workers needed by 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 18,730 | 3.2% | 2,834 |
| Melbourne – inner metropolitan | 3,154 | 2.6% | 408 |
| Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan | 1,486 | 3.1% | 216 |
| Melbourne – southern metropolitan | 2,543 | 3.5% | 409 |
| Melbourne – northern metropolitan | 2,272 | 3.6% | 369 |
| Melbourne – eastern metropolitan | 2,399 | 2.9% | 337 |
| Melbourne – western metropolitan | 1,730 | 3.6% | 281 |
| Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) | 575 | 3.6% | 94 |
| Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) | 774 | 3.2% | 115 |
| Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) | 1,315 | 4.3% | 246 |
| Gippsland | 808 | 3.3% | 124 |
| Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) | 165 | 1.5% | 16 |
| Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) | 271 | 2.1% | 31 |
| Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) | 482 | 3.9% | 83 |
| Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) | 465 | 3.3% | 72 |
| Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) | 292 | 2.2% | 34 |
Below is the number of counsellor jobs in Victoria. Figures are shown for current workers in 2023, and the expected number of new workers that will be needed by 2026.
Note that specific data is not available for youth workers.
| Region | Workers 2023 | Workforce growth 2023-2026 | New workers needed by 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 9,181 | 4.7% | 1,923 |
| Melbourne – inner metropolitan | 1,718 | 5.1% | 384 |
| Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan | 812 | 4.2% | 158 |
| Melbourne – southern metropolitan | 1,180 | 4.4% | 238 |
| Melbourne – northern metropolitan | 1,093 | 4.8% | 232 |
| Melbourne – eastern metropolitan | 1,343 | 4.6% | 278 |
| Melbourne – western metropolitan | 832 | 4.6% | 174 |
| Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) | 268 | 4.7% | 57 |
| Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) | 328 | 4.3% | 65 |
| Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) | 566 | 5.7% | 138 |
| Gippsland | 330 | 4.4% | 66 |
| Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) | 69 | 2.6% | 10 |
| Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) | 113 | 3.2% | 18 |
| Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) | 203 | 4.8% | 44 |
| Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) | 195 | 4.4% | 39 |
| Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) | 131 | 3.2% | 21 |
Source: Victorian Skills Authority employment forecast dashboard
Resources to plan your next steps
Visit our working with children and young people industry profile to find out about:
- what it’s like to work with children and young people, and some of the jobs you could do
- training and skills to work in the industry, and financial assistance to help pay for your course
- help getting a job working with children and young people, and industry job forecasts for Victoria
- other free resources and advice to plan your training and career.
Also visit our education and training services industry profile.
Explore growing industries in your region
Training and careers in your region
Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.
Training and careers in growing industries
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