How to become a Community Development Officer

Also called: Community Development Coordinator, Community Development Worker

Assesses the social and wellbeing needs of individuals and families to develop programs, organisations and services to meet the needs of the community.

Main tasks

• Identifies, develops and coordinates support programs, projects or services to address the needs of the community
• Establishes and administers neighbourhood houses, community groups, programs and other services to members of the community
• Establishes activity programs to assist community connectivity and encourage community participation
• Develops stakeholder partnerships to enhance community engagement and participation for all individuals
• Implements and promotes policies and strategies to ensure access to recreation and development programs, and inclusion for all members of the community

Ways in

• University: Social Work & Community degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Community Development (CHC52121); Diploma of Community Group Coordination and Facilitation (AHC51222); Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015); Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (CHC43215); Certificate III in Community Safety Services (CHC35021); Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015); Certificate III in Local Government (LGA30120); Certificate II in Active Volunteering (CHC24015)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $95,888 a year
• About 96,500 people work in this job group now, and about 108,000 are projected by 2035. (+11.9%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Community Support Worker
• Youth Justice Worker
• Child Protection Practitioner
• Family Violence Practitioner
• Diversional Therapist
• Lifestyle Coordinator

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Community Development Officer?

Ways in include: Social Work & Community degrees; Diploma of Community Development; Diploma of Community Group Coordination and Facilitation.

How much does a Community Development Officer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $95,888 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Community Development Officer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 96,500 to about 108,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Community Development Officer?

Not always. 39% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Social Work & Community degrees; Diploma of Community Development; Diploma of Community Group Coordination and Facilitation.

Will AI change the work of a Community Development Officer?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04