FAQs: Welfare worker occupations, courses and work experience

Q1. Who is a Welfare Worker?

Answer:

The welfare and community worker is a person who, through professional training and field education, has the requisite values, attitudes, knowledge and skills to work autonomously, or with a team, in a social welfare agency or program intended to promote, relieve or restore the social functioning of individuals, families, social groups or larger communities. (ACWA Code of Ethics)

The welfare worker ‘Assists individuals, families and groups with social, emotional or financial difficulties to improve quality of life, by educating and supporting them and working towards change in their social environment.’ (www.immi.gov.au, www.abs.gov.au)

Q2. What are the tasks associated with welfare work?

Answer:

A welfare worker may perform the following tasks as part of his/her job:

• Intake assessment
• Crisis intervention
• Counselling and casework
• Case management
• Client services – including  assessment, referral, counselling and support
• Program planning and development
• Family welfare and support work
• Advocacy and support work
• Community development work
• Community work
• Social welfare work

Q3. What are some common occupation titles associated with welfare work?

Answer:

Some common occupational titles that may be associated with welfare worker are:

• Assessment Officer
• Careers Counsellor
• Case Manager, Case Worker
• Child Protection Worker
• Children’s Service Worker
• Community Corrections Worker
• Community Development Officer
• Community Educator
• Community Support Worker
• Community Worker
• Crisis Counsellor
• Crisis Intervention Worker
• Disabilities Service Officer/Worker
• Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
• Family Counsellor
• Family Court Counsellor
• Family Support Worker
• Financial Counsellor
• Grief Counsellor
• Housing Officer/Worker
• Intake Officer/Worker
• Juvenile Justice Officer/Worker
• Multicultural Support Officer/Worker
• Outreach Worker
• Parole Officer
• Program Manager
• Rehabilitation Counsellor
• Residential Care Coordinator
• Social Worker
• Student Counsellor
• Team Leader
• Trauma Counsellor
• Welfare Officer/Worker
• Youth Accommodation Support Officer/Worker
• Youth Officer/Worker
• Youth Support Worker

Qualifying Courses

Q4. What courses could prepare me for welfare work?

Answer:
 
Some Courses that may qualify you as a welfare worker include:

• Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Diploma of Community Development
• Diploma of Community Services Work
• Diploma of Community Welfare Work
• Diploma of Community Services (Mental Health)
• Diploma of Disability
• Diploma of Youth Work
• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Community Services)
• Bachelor of Arts (Rural Social Welfare)
• Bachelor of Arts (Welfare Studies)
• Bachelor of Community Welfare
• Bachelor of Community Welfare and Counselling
• Bachelor of Creative Industries/Human Services
• Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies
• Bachelor of Human Services
• Bachelor of Social Science
• Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services)
• Bachelor of Social Science (Youth Welfare)
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Advanced Diploma of Community and Human Services
• Associate Degree in Community Welfare and Counselling
• Associate Degree in Youth Studies

Relevant Work Experience

Q5. Is my current work related to welfare work?

Answer:

From 1 July 2011 DIAC requires ACWA to offer advice on suitability of qualifications and work experience for awarding points under the Points Test. Our updated Form 1182 gives applicants the option to obtain advice on their work experience. Applicants will be required to pay a fee for this service.  For work experience to be assessed  applicants will be required to submit evidence of their industry experience  (including position descriptions) and will need to address the five ACWA Core Competencies.

The five (5) ACWA Core Competencies that a Welfare Worker must demonstrate are:

Core Competency 1: Practices social welfare in an ethical manner in accordance with values and ethics of the profession.

Core Competency 2: Communicate with a broad spectrum of people and organisations using appropriate techniques and media.

Core Competency 3: Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates programs, projects and work programs with clients*.

Core Competency 4: Plan, organise and carry out work autonomously and as part of a team.

Core Competency 5: Uses one’s personal attributes to effect in dealings with clients, colleagues, employers, and the general community and demonstrates an awareness of both formal and informal societal structures and systems and their implications for clients, workers and community services organisations.

*The term 'client' may refer to an individual, family, group or community.

For more information please refer to Form 1182 and Pathway B Information Sheet available for download.