How to become a Welfare Worker

Also called: Welfare Officer

Assists individuals, families and groups with difficulties by providing support, information and advice on social welfare matters, and evaluates and coordinates the services of welfare and community service agencies.

Main tasks

• Assists and supports individuals and families experiencing difficulties to access resources available to them
• Advises individuals on rights and entitlements to social security payments and services
• Assesses at-risk individuals and families, and provides intensive short-term crisis counselling for victims
• Assists to establish relationships with neighbourhood houses, community groups, employment training programs and other services to members of the community
• Refers clients to welfare support services
• Prepares reports and maintains client records

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015); Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315); Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015); Certificate III in Community Safety Services (CHC35021); Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (CHC40321); Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42021); Certificate IV in Youth Justice (CHC40521); Certificate IV in Youth Work (CHC40421)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $101,920 a year
• About 40,500 people work in this job group now, and about 49,900 are projected by 2035. (+23.4%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Community Corrections Officer
• Family Support Worker
• Financial Counsellor (Community)
• Housing Officer
• Refuge Worker

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Welfare Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Community Services; Certificate IV in Mental Health.

How much does a Welfare Worker earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $101,920 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Welfare Worker a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 40,500 to about 49,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Welfare Worker?

Not always. 58% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Community Services; Certificate IV in Mental Health.

Will AI change the work of a Welfare 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