Working in community services offers a rewarding career to those passionate about helping people and bringing about change.
In formal terms, a community worker is a professional who has the knowledge, skills and values to facilitate the social inclusion, economic participation and wellbeing of individuals, families, groups or communities.
Put simply, community workers empower and support clients to achieve their goals. They help people get the services and support they need; whether it is housing, financial, mental health, disability, multicultural or family support services.
Community workers can provide these essential community services directly or link people with appropriate programs, government departments, groups, communities and each other.
Practitioners are acutely aware of the social, political and economic factors that can marginalise their clients. For this reason, community workers also advocate to change systems, policies and attitudes. Social justice, human rights and equity are the foundations of community work.
Our careers guide explains what community workers do and how you can become one.