Youth Worker
Work with young people to help them make good choices and have a say in their own lives. You run programs, offer support and stand up for them in places where they might not be heard. Whether you are new to the field or years in, the heart of the job is respect.
The work
Part facilitator, part advocate. Here is what youth workers actually do, from new starter to experienced practice.
Spend time with young people and earn their trust at their own pace.
Shadow colleagues, build up your own skills and learn the local services.
Plan and deliver groups, camps and workshops that fit what young people want.
Help with school, family, work, housing and wellbeing, and refer on when needed.
Advocate with schools, services and agencies and help them navigate systems.
Mentor newer staff, review how programs are going and decide what to change.
The outlook
Room for 11,500 more people in youth work by 2035 ▲ and it is not slowing down.
The field grew 3.6% in the year to February 2026, adding about 3,300 workers. Most of the jobs are in NSW and Queensland, with Victoria third.
Source: JSA · ABS, 2025-26
Projections: JSA (Jobs and Skills Australia) Employment Projections (May 2025 base). Growth and states: ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via JSA, February 2026. ANZSCO 4117.More about our sources: How we check our factsGetting in
There is no single way in. 45% trained through VET, 37% hold a degree.
Both paths are common in this field. These are the nationally recognised courses for this career, with the number of registered training providers that offer each one.
Source: JSA · training.gov.au
Education split: Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile, using ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Census data, ANZSCO 4117. Provider counts: training.gov.au, the national register of vocational education, October 2026. Provider counts include every current registered training provider (private providers and TAFE institutes) with the course on its scope.More about our sources: How we check our factsNationally recognised training
Providers are shown in A-Z order. A listing is not a recommendation.
Jobs open right now
94,500 Australians do this work. See who is hiring this month.
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