YOUTH WORKERS

There are a few professional bodies you may consider becomming a member with. Here are three options: 

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Community Work Australia (nationally recognised for those who work in the community sector, so not solely for youth workers)

Membership requirements: To be eligible for membership you must hold a relevant higher qualification or accredited diploma as well as relevant industry experience in some cases. A relevant qualification is one which adequately prepares graduates to perform community work in Australia. It should specialise in community or human services, or a specific service field. Fields of practice include youth work, mental health, applied social science, community development, alcohol and other drugs, disability services and counselling. Specific documentation requriements are:

• colour scan of qualification certificate, colour scan of transcripts, colour scan of any other recognised prior learning;

• resume with 2 references, position descriptionf or the most recent industry experience, letter from msot recent employer including position title, type, full-time or part-time, start and end dates;

• other optional documents include evidence of name change, police check, working with childrens check

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Youth Work NSW (for youth workers in New South Wales)

Membership requirements: to be a full member, you can apply via a vocational pathway, youth work qualification pathway, or portfolio pathway.

• Vocational pathway: you must hold a recognised diploma or Certificate IV in youth work (or cognate degree) with relevant supervised placement and minimum post-graduate full-time practice (time depending on your qualification).

• Youth work qualification pathway: you must hold a youth work degree or a two-year diploma or advanced diploma with relevent supervised placement and minimum post-graduate full-time practice (time depending on your qualification).

• Portfolio pathway: if you do not hold the relevent qualifications, you may apply for membership through the submission of a portfolio as prescribed by the Association. The portfolio my be written or video recorded, or may be conducted by interview. 

You are required to hold a Working With Childrens Check and provide three referees, one of whom must be a youth worker. 

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Youth Workers Australia (nationally recognised, solely for qualified or experience youth workers)

Membership requirements: to be eligible for membership with YWA, you will need to have completed a youth work courses from Certificate IV level to Bachelor and Post-Graduate studies. YWA will consider those without formal qualifications but with extensive youth work experience that can be shown with evidence. 

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As an overseas qualified youth worker, you will likely apply for an Alternative Membership. These requirements are: 

• a certified copy of the your equivalent undergraduate degree/ diploma with proof of youth work components (minimum 6 units to be considered equivalent to a youth work major),

• a resume with evidence of a minimum 7 years of Youth Work experience, some of which must be in the previous 3 years to indicate industry preparedness,

• a support letter from a current member of Youth Workers Australia.​

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