How to become a Family Support Worker

Also called: Family Case Worker, Family Services Worker, Family Support Officer

Provides advice and support to children, young people and families with diverse needs, within the home environment and community, in a culturally safe manner.

Main tasks

• Identifies families who require additional support and provides internal/external referrals
• Ensures families can access appropriate services, and encourages families and individuals with particular needs to participate in informal discussion, counselling or support groups
• Assists and collaborates with Social and Welfare Workers to develop holistic plans by establishing family assessments, safety plans, goals and interventions to ensure safety and wellbeing, and empower families towards positive change
• Liaises and collaborates with case workers and case work managers to ensure high quality service delivery, and provides updates regarding any issues and problem solves with them
• Assists with transporting clients to services and appointments
• Encourages parents to join community groups and playgroups
• Supports and advocates for the appropriate clinical care of mothers, babies and the wider family group
• Supports children being cared for by foster carers

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (CHC40321); Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention (CHC50321); Diploma of Financial Counselling (CHC51122); Graduate Certificate in Statutory Child Protection (CHC81215)

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 Corrections Officer
• Financial Counsellor (Community)
• Housing Officer
• Refuge Worker
• Welfare Worker

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Family Support Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention; Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention.

How much does a Family Support Worker earn in Australia?

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

Is a Family Support Worker 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 Family Support Worker?

Not always. 41% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention; Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention.

Will AI change the work of a Family Support Worker?

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