Mini vic.gov.au

This is a low bandwidth version of vic.gov.au. Contents may not be up to date. © Copyright State Government of Victoria

Youth worker

Find out more about working as a youth worker and the possible pathways to job opportunities.

On this page

Youth workers support young people in social and wellbeing programs. They may work in youth centres, community facilities or offices, and work with groups or one on one.

Find out what a youth worker does and the related Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and pathways you can take to secure a job.

What is a youth worker?

As a youth worker, you will help young people with social, emotional or financial challenges.

You will support them to improve their social and emotional wellbeing. You may connect them with other services, or education and training.

This job suits people who are compassionate and empathetic.

Find out more about youth workers(opens in a new window) and these related jobs on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):

Explore these related TAFE and training courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):

You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course.

Median salary

The median weekly earnings for a welfare support workers in Australia is $1,688.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia(opens in a new window)

The median weekly earnings for a counsellors in Australia is $1,477.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia(opens in a new window)

Note these salaries are current as of January 2025 and are indicative only. A range of salaries apply to different roles across the industry. Specific salary data is not available for youth workers.

Job demand in Victoria

Below is the number of welfare support worker and counsellor jobs in Victoria. Figures show the number of workers in 2024 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2027 and 2034.

‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 and 10 years. These projections are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.

Note that specific data is not available for youth workers.

Open all

Region Workers 2024 New workers expected by 2027 New workers expected by 2034
Victoria 20,968 1,175 5,783
Melbourne – inner metropolitan 2,406 161 666
Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan 1,227 53 279
Melbourne – southern metropolitan 2,629 134 735
Melbourne – northern metropolitan 2,851 202 1,023
Melbourne – eastern metropolitan 2,381 100 575
Melbourne – western metropolitan 2,306 207 926
Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) 804 41 191
Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) 1,335 41 292
Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) 1,447 99 434
Gippsland 1,258 61 301
Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) 276 <10 30
Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) 498 16 52
Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) 538 11 104
Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) 567 21 114
Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) 445 19 61
Region Workers 2024 New workers expected by 2027 New workers expected by 2034
Victoria 10,001 1,229 4,836
Melbourne – inner metropolitan 1,924 241 926
Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan 836 87 338
Melbourne – southern metropolitan 1,041 120 481
Melbourne – northern metropolitan 1,227 163 668
Melbourne – eastern metropolitan 1,241 123 519
Melbourne – western metropolitan 1,044 164 649
Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) 325 42 156
Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) 401 52 196
Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) 696 91 353
Gippsland 503 52 237
Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) 85 <10 30
Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) 160 19 57
Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) 172 17 72
Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) 208 19 88
Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) 139 30 65

Source: Victorian Skills Authority Employment Projections Dashboard

Resources to plan your next steps

Visit our working with children and young people industry profile to find out about:

Also visit our education and training services industry profile.

Explore growing industries in your region

Training and careers in your region

Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Training and careers in growing industries

Learn about high demand industries in Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of jobs you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Updated 24 January 2025

About the VIC Government

Grants and programs

Jobs and careers

Arts, culture and heritage

Business and the workplace

Communities

Education and training

Environment, water and energy

Finance and economy

Health and social support

Housing and property

Law and justice

Safety and emergencies

Science and technology

Sport and recreation

Traffic and transport

Working in the Victorian Government