HomeCoursesCommunity services courses
Community services courses
14 community services qualifications in Australia, from certificates to the degree, compared side by side: cost, duration, providers and where each one leads.
- Qualifications
- 14
on this page
- Providers
- 629
across all qualifications
- Median pay
- $70,200–$95,900
across roles in this field
- Employment growth*
- +12%
average across roles
Which of these is right for you?
We don't recommend one provider over another, but four things usually decide which qualification is the right one to start with.
- How much time can you give it?
- A certificate usually runs months, not years, and gets you working sooner. A degree is a multi-year commitment, but it's the only route into a registered profession like pharmacist.
- Do you want to study online, on campus, or both?
- Check each qualification's study modes below. Some are online only, some require placements or on-campus units even in a mostly online course.
- What's your entry point?
- If you're starting from school leaver or career change with no background in the field, the lowest rung on the ladder is usually the realistic start, not the top qualification.
- Which role are you aiming for?
- Some roles need one specific qualification. Others accept several. The roles section below says which qualification on this page actually gets you there.
The community services qualifications
14 qualifications, from certificates through to a degree. Each links through to cost, duration and the providers that teach it.
Certificates and diplomas
Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
22 providersThis certificate prepares people to work with children, young people and families through difficult periods, including trauma, abuse and disruption in care.
Certificate IVFamily Support WorkerView qualification →Certificate IV in Community Services
122 providersThis qualification prepares people to work directly with clients in community services, whether that means advocacy, case work or practical support for individuals, groups and communities.
Certificate IVView qualification →Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
64 providersThis qualification prepares you to plan and run leisure and health activities for people who need support, such as older adults in residential care, people with disability, or clients attending community centres and day programs.
Certificate IVView qualification →Certificate IV in Youth Work
46 providersThis qualification prepares you to work with young people in community, government and youth sector agencies, running programs that respond to their social, behavioural, health and wellbeing needs.
Certificate IVYouth WorkerView qualification →Diploma of Community Services
319 providersThis diploma is for people who want to work in community services, supporting individuals, families and groups through difficult periods and helping them make changes in their lives.
DiplomaView qualification →Diploma of Leisure and Health
11 providersThis diploma prepares you to plan, run and review leisure and health programs for people in aged care, disability services, community centres and day programs.
DiplomaView qualification →Diploma of Youth Work
21 providersThis diploma prepares you to work with young people in community, government and youth agencies, usually within a defined program and under broad supervision.
DiplomaYouth WorkerView qualification →
Degrees
Bachelor of Human Services
6 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Community Services
5 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Youth Work
5 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Community and Human Services
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Diploma in Social and Human Services
2 providersDiploma1 yearView qualification →Diploma of Youth Work
2 providersDiploma1 yearView qualification →Undergraduate Certificate in Human Services
2 providersOther Undergraduate Award Course0.5 yearsView qualification →
What community services study leads to
The 2 roles where a community services qualification is a recognised route in, which qualification on this page it is, and what else you need.
Family Support Worker
The direct route is the Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention. Select the family-support practice specialisation, complete required workplace hours and meet applicable safeguarding and employer checks.
Median salary for the role
$70,200
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Indicative estimate, not yet verified against official Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS data, Estimate.
Youth Worker
Enter through the Certificate IV in Youth Work or the Diploma of Youth Work. Work within the employing organisation's policies and applicable safeguarding requirements.
Median salary for the role
$95,900
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO Occupation data, February 2026.