Studying Community Care, Social Services and Welfare

Community care, social services and welfare courses empower social workers with the knowledge and technical expertise to manage confrontations and situations of distress when dealing with different communities.

Community care and welfare workers undertake a spectrum of study units covering policy and research, psychology and social sciences, conflict intervention and management and strategic programme development.

Most community care and social services courses offered by Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions last from six months to two years. Students who have attained community care certificates or social services and social welfare diplomas have the option to pursue higher education such as a bachelor of social work.

Community care, social services and social welfare degrees take between three and four years to complete, and candidates can specialise in an area they feel most passionate about.

Community care, social services and welfare specialisations offered by higher education institutions include children services, youth services, palliative care, and aged care amongst other services.

For TAFE and degree courses, learning and assessments often include a component of work placements in a registered community service organisations or relevant state departments.

Selected universities offer community care, social services and welfare degree holders with the option of attaining a Master of Social Work. Other education institutions also offer graduate diploma programmes in community care, welfare and social services.

Postgraduate study for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in social work seeks to provide more insight into the policy planning behind managing social workers and the communities they work with.

Careers in Community Care, Social Services and Welfare

Qualified community care and welfare workers will be involved in direct client interaction, providing psychological and psychiatric support to the needy, disabled or vulnerable.

Career opportunities for students undertaking community care and social welfare studies include being a youth worker, community care worker or a social worker.

Some of the focus areas for community care and welfare workers can include providing counselling services, managing alcohol and drug cases in youth and facilitating mediation in conflicts.

Skills needed in Community Care, Social Services and Welfare

Community care, youth and social welfare jobs are best suited for individuals who enjoy caring for others. Understanding the changing demographics of Australia is important as Australia plays a major role in the international humanitarian and refugees’ placement programme.

More information

Children Services

Community & Aged Care

Palliative Care

Youth Services

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