Diploma of Youth Work
CHC50425
As a Youth Worker, you have the chance to change the trajectory of a young person's life. This practical, industry-relevant course builds your confidence to offer advice and support around housing, education, and social and work skills, helping at-risk youth and their families move towards a more stable future.
As a Youth Worker, providing assistance with housing, networking or relevant health services and education can make an enormous difference to the future of a youth at risk. The course is developed with practical components that are industry relevant to give you confidence in applying your knowledge and skills in the real world.
By offering advice and support to those who may be, or already are, at risk means that the youth of tomorrow will have a better chance of gaining an education, increasing their social and work skills, or providing their families with suitable accommodation.
You must be over the age of 21 to enrol in the Diploma of Youth Work and have:
Completed Year 12, or
Completed a Certificate III qualification, or
Have at least 3 years of sufficient life experience (work or study), if over 21 years of age.
The Diploma of Youth Work is a nationally recognised training program in Australia, so you can be assured of its quality, status and integrity.
Reduced Upfront (and enjoy a substantial discount).
Take advantage of our Fortnightly or Monthly Payment Plans
Pay via Credit Card or Direct Debit.
Our Student Support Centres are located in:
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast & Northern Rivers
Sydney
Melbourne
Adelaide
Perth
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Course Recognition
Why study our Diploma of Youth Work
Our Diploma of Youth Work is a journey of self-discovery, providing deep insight into why young people think and behave as they do.
Career ready
When you graduate, you will be extremely well prepared to pursue a career in Youth Work – employed or self-employed – enjoying our strong industry reputation and linkage.
Extremely applicable
The Diploma is extremely applicable to people from all sorts of backgrounds. Whether you are seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession; or want to acquire counselling skills as an adjunct to your core profession – such as teachers, nurses, ministers of religion, corrective services officers and administrators.
Counselling education specialists
We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.
Flexible learning
With so many demands on our time it can be difficult to fit study in around other commitments, that's why our Diploma of Youth Work has been designed to maximise your learning from home where you can progress through your studies at your own pace.
Career ready
When you graduate, you will be extremely well prepared to pursue a career in Youth Work – employed or self-employed – enjoying our strong industry reputation and linkage.
Extremely applicable
The Diploma is extremely applicable to people from all sorts of backgrounds. Whether you are seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession; or want to acquire counselling skills as an adjunct to your core profession – such as teachers, nurses, ministers of religion, corrective services officers and administrators.
Counselling education specialists
We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.
Flexible learning
With so many demands on our time it can be difficult to fit study in around other commitments, that's why our Diploma of Youth Work has been designed to maximise your learning from home where you can progress through your studies at your own pace.
Course Outline
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services *
This unit focuses on developing students understanding of how the delivery of services impacts people from a range of backgrounds, and how to plan appropriately within the service.
Engage respectfully with young people # *
In this unit learn how to engage and communicate with young people within roles specifically focused on youth-centred practices.
Work with diverse people
This unit gives the student the opportunity to reflect upon gender, culture, ethnicity, subculture, sexuality and ability and how they are each to be valued and respected within our community and a counselling context.
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Students will gain the relevant skills and knowledge to work respectfully within diverse cultures and social situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Students will learn how to identify, develop strategies and model cultural safety issues within the workplace and with clients.
Manage legal and ethical compliance *
This unit focuses on understanding, developing and monitoring legal, ethical and compliance issues within a service.
Use communication to build relationships #
Students will learn how to use specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust.
Plan and conduct group activities #
In this unit, students will learn how to work in both formal and informal group-settings, encouraging and promoting communication channels with participants.
Facilitate and review case management #
This unit helps students to be able to determine an initial response to case management, as well as developing a plan and conducting case management meetings.
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships #
This unit focuses on developing networks, service delivery and improving your professional practice.
Assess co-existing needs # *
In this unit, students will learn how to determine a range of suitable services to address diverse client needs, through client assessment and liaising with specialists.
Maintain work health and safety *
Working under Workplace Health and Safety legislation, this unit outlines how to establish, maintain and evaluate Workplace Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Work with young people in the youth work context *
Students will gain the skills and knowledge required by youth workers to empower young people to develop sustainable supports beyond intervention.
Work effectively with young people in the youth work context *
Students will learn both contemporary and historical practices to assist in understanding the current contexts of youth work practices.
Work with people with mental health issues #
This unit outlines the requirements to communicate and work with people who are living with mental health issues.
Support young people to take collective action # *
This unit helps students to be able to support groups of young people in taking action to meet their needs or responding to community issues.
Support youth programs *
This unit outlines the requirements for creating, delivering and evaluating programs and services for groups and individuals within a service.
Develop and implement service programs # *
This unit provides the relevant skills and knowledge to develop programs and services to meet the needs of clients.
Identify and report children and young people at risk # *
Working within relevant legislation and policies, students will learn how to work within their duty of care towards children and young people who are at risk of harm.
Manage service response to young people in crisis *
Students will gain the skills and knowledge required to develop an agency approach to young people in crisis.
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence #
Students will learn how to identify and respond to the needs of clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence, including responding to immediate intervention and support needs.
Develop and implement procedures to enable young people to address their needs *
Students will obtain the relevant skills and knowledge to evaluate and engage continuous improvement practices to monitor appropriate and contemporary organisational approaches to young people with complex needs.
# These units require the practical demonstration of skills in a real or simulated work environment.
* This course also requires completion of a work placement of a minimum of 100 hours.
At AIPC we have a payment method to suit every student. If you decide to pay for your course upfront you will enjoy a substantial discount, and you can concentrate on your studies without thinking about further payments.
If you would prefer to spread your payments, you can take advantage of our fortnightly or monthly payment plans.
To further assist make training as accessible as possible, we separate payment for tuition (theory elements) from that of the practical course elements. Payment for the practical elements is done as they are undertaken. See full details below.
We always strive to keep tuition as affordable as possible, opening up quality education for everyone.
Course* | Reduced Upfront Payment | Fortnightly Payments** | Monthly Payments** |
|---|---|---|---|
Diploma of Youth Work | $4,990 | $147.50 | $295 |
+1 Advanced Study Major (+1 Free ASM) | $5,785 | $155 | $310 |
+2 Advanced Study Major (+2 Free ASM) | $6,580 | $175 | $350 |
+3 Advanced Study Major (+3 Free ASM) | $7,375 | $200 | $400 |
*Total upfront course cost is $6,745, which includes tuition of $4,990, plus 9 practical sessions each of $195. The practical elements are paid for as they are undertaken. They can be completed by online group workshop, via Zoom/Skype, by uploading a video demonstration, or by having a private assessor assess your skills.
**Fortnightly/Monthly payments can be made by Credit Card or Direct Debit.
For over 30 years AIPC has set the benchmark for service and support in education. We offer a complete external study support system that has been developed and refined over decades of research and continual student feedback.
Unlimited access to the Institutes Toll Free 1300 Study Assistance Line, 9am to 5pm EST Monday to Friday.
The structure of the Diploma of Youth Work ensures you graduate with sufficient practical skill so you can apply your knowledge with confidence.
Students can elect to complete the practical components through various means, such as a one-on-one or small group session with a private assessor. We have private assessors in numerous regional areas across Australia.
Students can also complete their practical components by video recording a demonstration of their skills. We have guidelines available to assist students compile their recordings and develop effective role plays to demonstrate their skills.
The Institute website is an extremely helpful study resource. Via the website you can access the My.AIPC Student Portal which is your link to numerous study support and e-learning functions. You can:
Download electronic versions of your workbooks
Complete your activities and upload for marking
Contact an Online Education Adviser for study assistance
Access the Knowledge Base, a massive database of the most commonly asked academic questions, categorised for particular subjects, activities and concepts
See when seminars are available in your area
Plus much more.
Request a Course Guide
Please complete this form and we will respond within 24 working hours.
By submitting this form, you agree to receive marketing emails from AIPC. You can opt out at any time.
30-day money-back guarantee.
If you're not satisfied we'll give you your money back.
Zero Risk
Your enrolment comes with a guarantee that empowers you to enrol risk-free. If, for any reason whatsoever you decide you do not want to proceed with your course within 30-day, we will give you a 100%, no questions asked, money back guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 21 units in the diploma take you well past the basics of engaging a young person. You’ll learn to:
Analyse how someone’s background changes the way a service reaches them
Plan programs around that analysis instead of running the same thing for everyone
Advocate for a young person’s housing, schooling or health needs with the agencies that control them
Assess risk and decide when a situation has moved beyond what your service can handle
Build networks with the other organisations a young person may need
Reflect on your own reactions when a case gets difficult
Young people with complex needs may be managing housing insecurity, disrupted education, family challenges and safety concerns at the same time. The diploma teaches you to read a whole situation before you act on any part of it. You’ll study how services reach people differently depending on their background, which explains why people may respond to services in different ways, so support often needs to be adapted to individual circumstances. From there, you learn to plan around the person in front of you.
Yes, a minimum of 100 hours in a youth work setting. Supervised placement is where you find out how a young person responds when the conversation doesn’t go the way your training suggested it would. Certain units also require you to demonstrate specific skills before you get to your placement. AIPC built the practical components into the course deliberately so you learn about youth work while doing it.
AIPC teaches this diploma online, wherever in Australia you happen to be. Full-time students complete the 21 units in 12 months, which is faster than most diplomas at this level. Part-time and self-paced study is also there if you’d rather spread it out over up to five years. You’ll have to complete 100 hours of placement work, so there is an in-person component to the course.
The diploma gives you the chance to pursue careers as a:
Youth worker
Youth program coordinator
Residential youth care worker
Youth outreach worker
Case worker in a community service
Government agencies, community organisations and youth sector services recruit workers with a diploma-level qualification. Self-employment is also realistic here, with some graduates contracting to schools or services that need a particular program run.
Diploma-qualified workers make decisions that entry-level staff refer upwards, which is what employers are paying for when they hire coordinators. The qualification also moves you from delivering programs to designing them, so you have a say in what your service offers rather than only how it runs. Managing your own caseload without close supervision is the other step up, and it’s the experience most services want to see before they promote someone into a team leader position.
You should consider this course if you want to work with young people at a level where you’re making decisions about their care instead of carrying out someone else’s plan. Teachers, nurses, ministers of religion and corrective services officers make up a good portion of the intake, adding youth work elements to their jobs where they already work with young people who need additional support. Others come in with no background in the sector at all. You’ll need to be over 21 and have completed Year 12 or a Certificate III to enrol.
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