The community support worker is a vital professional doing sterling work with vulnerable across Australia. Anyone looking for a meaningful career counseling people through life should certainly consider it. However, it is a challenging role, and it's not one everyone would enjoy. With this in mind, we look at precisely what's involved.
Are Our Support Workers In Demand In Australia?
Absolutely. Over the next five years, the industry is expected to experience significant growth - in the region of 23%. This means that anyone taking aged care courses or training in care for the vulnerable or disabled will get almost guaranteed work now and in the future. Whether progressing within the role or specializing in a related field, you'll not be short of job offers.
What Does A Community Support Worker Do In Australia?
When employed as a community support worker, your primary reason for existing is to support people, allowing them to live independent lives - or as close as possible. In addition to personal care responsibilities, you'll also help with grooming, household chores, and cooking meals. Recreational activities, such as days out and visits to the park, also fall under your remit.
Other duties include:
- Ongoing assessment of client requirements
- Planning & implementation of support programs
- Reporting & monitoring of client progress
- Emotional & physical development
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of your responsibilities as a community support worker, but this does cover a significant amount of your day-to-day tasks on the job.
How Do You Become A Support Worker In The Community?
Once you've decided the role is for you, you can take a few routes to get the required knowledge and expertise. Firstly, you could complete a TAFE course, such as a formal course in Community Services or accept the university path and get a Bachelor or Community & Human Services.
The University option will take 3-4 years to complete, whereas the TAFE route involves around 400 hours of supervised work in the field as part of a work placement.
Studying Micro-Credentials And A Short Course Online Will Help
Whether you're preparing to study for the role or want to develop your professional skills, short online courses can benefit your support worker career. There are no entry requirements for engaging in this kind of online learning, meaning they're perfect for beginners.
Also, offering Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points that make your CV look significant to employers, this kind of learning is ideal for ongoing development. Specialist knowledge can also be gained in this way, representing a great way to specialize further down the line.
Applying For Community Support Roles
Once you've got the required training, you can apply for essential community support worker roles, which you can find on significant recruitment websites like Indeed and Seek. You'll likely find many opportunities available to you, too, particularly as Australia's care and support sector is experiencing a shortage of trained professionals.
There are also many opportunities to work with companies like Disability DR that support vulnerable people in Western Australia. The truth is. However, you won't have to look too far for employment with this particular skill set, as you'll be in demand.
Enjoy A Career In Support Work With OCA Online Learning
The role of a community support worker is both advantageous and well-paid (entry-level salaries start at $57,000!) so it’s not hard to understand why it’s a popular career path. Those choosing this route can help to prepare themselves for success with our video-based CPD-endorsed short courses online that allow you to supplement your knowledge in a supremely convenient way.
Able to be taken at a pace that suits your needs, training like our community support courses is modular, meaning that it's easy to fit around your day. Just a spare 10 minutes and a smartphone are all you need to get a spot of learning. We often get told that we offer the best online courses Australia offers, and you can see why by watching our Student Study Demo.
Community work is just one of over 20 sectors covered by our library, meaning our learning can help you in animal care, parenting, counselling, and more! If you'd like to see our complete library, you can visit us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu, where you’ll also discover a selection of flexible payment options that allow you to spread the cost.
Alternatively, if you want to speak to us about anything related to enrolment in our online learning or anything else, just call 1300 611 404. If you prefer email, however, drop a line to [email protected] detailing your inquiry, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
