Discover pathways to your new job

You don’t need a degree to start your career in Child and Family Services. You can enter the sector with Certificate 3 or Certificate 4 in youth work or community services. Working in child and family services is a great opportunity to broaden your skills and knowledge.

Qualifications that can help you build and further a career in the child and family services sector, include:

• Certificate 3 or Certificate 4 in youth work or community services
• Degree, graduate diploma or graduate certificate.

Roles and qualifications that can help you build and further a career in child and family services, include:

• Family Support worker – Certificate 3 and 4 in youth work, community services or other related area
• Case worker – Certificate 3 and 4 in youth work, community services or other related area – a relevant degree is preferable
• Practitioner - degree in a relevant field
• Residential care worker – Certificate 4 in child, youth & family intervention or equivalent
• Family Counsellor/Psychologist – degree – Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or equivalent accreditation
• Support Playgroup Facilitator – minimum Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, Community services or equivalent
• Parenting Education Group Facilitator – minimum degree level qualification in social or community services or psychology
• Family counsellors – minimum degree level qualification in social or community services or psychology.
• Team leader, manager and executive – degree, postgraduate in relevant field

The role of the child protection practitioner requires specialist child welfare knowledge and the ability to exercise legal delegations. It’s critical that staff are well prepared and able to practice in this dynamic and challenging environment.

Roles that can help you build and further a career in child protection, include:

• Case Practice Support
• Child Protection Practitioner
• Advanced Child Protection Practitioner
• Senior Child Protection Practitioner
• Child Protection Practice Leader
• Child Protection Expert Practice
• Child Protection Principal Practitioner
• Child Protection Deputy Area Operations Manager
• Child Protection Area Operations Manager

Qualifications required include:

• a minimum qualification of a Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Certificate IV in Community Services Work or a related qualification as recognised by DFFH (CPP2 role classification only)
• a social work degree or a similar welfare or behavioural-related degree that includes;
  • a primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma
  • and preferably, a practical component such as counselling or case work practice.

Find out if your degree is recognised - Australian Association of Social Workers)

• a related welfare degree such as a recognised Diploma of Community Services Work, or similar qualification that is studied over a minimum of two academic years full-time (or part time equivalent) and includes;
  • a primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma
  • supervised fieldwork placements (ideally completed within the child and family welfare sector) and at least one unit of study in case management, case work practice or counselling.

Find out if your diploma is recognised - Australian Community Workers Association

• a psychology degree (or major) accredited by the Australian Psychologist Accreditation Council
• welfare-related qualification and experience that meets Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) eligibility criteria.

A current and valid driver's licence and Working with Children's check is required for all roles.

You don’t always need a qualification to start your career in disability. People find success in entry-level support roles by bringing their varied life experiences, professional expertise and people skills.

Some of the skills and attributes employers in the disability sector often look for, include:

• interest in supporting people reach their potential
• effective verbal and written communication skills
• good interpersonal skills
• initiative
• problem-solving skills/solution-focused approach
• teamwork and collaboration
• planning and organising skills
• literacy, basic numeracy and computer skills
• attention to detail
• reliable, dependable, trustworthy and flexible.

Employers may also preference candidates to have one or more of the following:

• First Aid certificate
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate
• Working with Children Check (WCC)
• current driver’s licence
• food safety certificate.

Once you’re in the job you’ll have the opportunity to complete one or more of these certificates.

Qualifications that can help you build and further a career in the disability sector, include:

• Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme
• Certificate 3 in Individual Support (Disability)
• Certificate 3 in Community Services
• Certificate 3 in Allied Health Assistance
• Certificate 4 in Disability
• Certificate 4 in Allied Health Assistance
• Certificate 4 in Mental Health
• Certificate 4 in Mental Health Peer Work
• Diploma of Community Services
• Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management.

There are also accredited training courses to support advancing a career in disability. Find out more about these training courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway website.

With so many different types of roles in the family violence and sexual assault sectors, a wide variety of skills, experience and qualifications are needed. Some response practitioners require specialist skills and experience, but the requirements are much broader for roles in fields such as:

• corporate services
• administration
• project and policy work
• education and training
• communications
• legal and court advocacy
• therapeutic support and counselling
• primary prevention.

Qualifications for specialist family violence workers

Specialist family violence workers provide direct specialist services to victim survivors and/or people using violence, such as:

• safety planning
• assessment and intake
• case management and service navigation.

Specialist family violence workers will be required to hold or be working towards a Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent formal learning, including holding a Bachelor degree or above. But there are different ways to get there and you might be closer than you think to achieving the requirement. A variety of disciplines and professional backgrounds are needed throughout the sector.

Find out more about the mandatory minimum qualifications for specialist family violence practitioners.

Qualifications for Men’s Behaviour Change workers

Men’s Behaviour Change workers require a relevant tertiary undergraduate degree in social work, psychology, counselling or a related subject. A principal facilitator will require completion of a graduate diploma or certificate qualification in men’s family violence.

Find information about 'Men’s Behaviour Change Minimum Standards' on the No to Violence website.

Qualifications for sexual assault workers

Practitioners in specialist sexual assault services have at least degree-level qualifications (or equivalent certification from nationally accredited providers) in a range of relevant fields. Examples include psychology, counselling, social work, occupational therapy, family therapy, creative arts therapies, and community mental health nursing.

Find out what employers are looking for by searching the jobs on the Family Violence Jobs Portal.

In the housing and homelessness sector, some roles do require qualifications while others don’t – it just depends on the role. There are entry-level positions as well as leadership opportunities for people with extensive experience. On-the-job training and professional development opportunities may be available once in a role.

Qualifications that can help you build and further a career in the housing and homelessness services, include:

• Certificate III in Customer Engagement or equivalent, such as a Certificate III in Customer Contact
• Certificate IV in Business or equivalent, such as a Certificate IV in Customer Contact
• Certificate IV in Housing or equivalent, such as Certificate IV in Social Housing.

Roles and qualifications that can help you build and further a career in housing and homelessness, include:

• Housing Customer Services Officer level 1 – No qualifications
• Housing Customer Services Officer level 1 – Certificate III in Customer Engagement
• Housing Customer Services Officer level 2 – Certificate IV in Business
• Housing Services Officer level 2 – Certificate IV in Housing
• Housing Services Officer level 3 – Certificate IV in Housing
• Field Services Officer – Recognised trade qualification and/or relevant building experience
• Team Leader – Certificate IV in Housing or equivalent
• Team Manager – Certificate IV in Housing or equivalent
• Housing Manager – Certificate IV in Housing or equivalent.

Victoria’s public mental health and wellbeing workforce is growing! This, together with a growing emphasis on the importance of positive mental health, means exciting career opportunities.

Working in mental health and wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing workers come from a range of training and professional backgrounds.

To see a more detailed version of the information below visit ‘Discover pathways to your new mental health job’ on health.vic.gov.au.

Lived and living experience workers

• Lived and living experience workers do not require formal education, as their expertise is grounded in their lived experience. However, many workers do undertake a Certificate IV in Mental Health (Peer Work)(opens in a new window).
• Learn more about the lived and living experience workforce(opens in a new window)
• Find a local TAFE provider

Social workers

• Social workers require a Bachelor of Social Work (4 years) OR a Master of Social Work (2 years) and registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
• Learn more about becoming a social worker(opens in a new window)

Mental health nurses

• A Mental Health Nurse is a registered or enrolled nurse who has completed advanced qualifications.
• Learn more about mental health nursing(opens in a new window)

Occupational therapists

• Occupational therapists require a Bachelor or Masters entry level course in occupational therapy and registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia(opens in a new window) and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency(opens in a new window).
• Learn more about becoming an occupational therapist(opens in a new window)

Psychiatrists

• Psychiatrists require a Degree in Medicine, registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency(opens in a new window) and completion of a registrar training program.
• You can then apply for a Fellowship with the Royal Australia New Zealand College of Psychiatry(opens in a new window) for accredited specialist training.
• Learn more about becoming a psychiatrist(opens in a new window)

Psychologists

• Psychologists require a general registration which requires at least six years of combined undergraduate and graduate study as well as applied workplace supervision
• A practice-endorsed psychologist requires the completion of a registrar program in an endorsed practice area.
• Both general and practice-endorsed psychologists must meet accreditation requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia(opens in a new window) and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency(opens in a new window)
• Learn more about becoming a psychologist(opens in a new window)

Other allied health disciplines

Allied health professionals include many other health professionals in our system, such as clinical pharmacy, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics, speech pathology, art therapy, music therapy.

• To become an allied health professional, you will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant professional body and for some disciplines, also meet the accreditation requirement of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency(opens in a new window)
• Find out more about allied health professions(opens in a new window)