HomeCoursesCommunity servicesCertificate IV
Certificate IV · national qualification
Certificate IV in Youth Work
This 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.
- How long it takes
- 1 year
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $1,990
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $13,823
- How you can study
- Online, on campus, a mix or on the job
- Main job
- Youth Worker
- $95,900 median pay
- Taught by
- 22 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate IV in Youth Work asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in the lives and wellbeing of young people
- patience and a calm approach with people in distress
- good communication skills, especially listening
- a willingness to work within policies and the law
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Certificate IV or Diploma?
The Diploma of Youth Work is at a higher level than this Certificate IV. This qualification reflects the role of workers who develop and facilitate programs for young people, and who are largely self-directed with autonomous decision making under indirect supervision.
See the courseWhere this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Youth Worker
Youth workers support young people through the personal, family or social difficulties that put their safety, education or independence at risk.
What else you need
Work within the employing organisation's policies and applicable safeguarding requirements.
Median pay$95,900
If you study further
Diploma of Youth Work
Leads to work as a, median pay $95,900.
Bachelor of Human Services
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $1,990
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$7,840 to $13,823
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,990 | $240 | $10,860 | 1 year |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $5,093 | $1,019 | $13,823 | |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $7,344 | $1,469 | $13,296 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,940 | $784 | $12,130 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $3,965 | $3,130 | $7,840 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $1,990
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $10,860
- How long
- 1 year
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $5,093
- Concession
- $1,019
- Full fee
- $13,823
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $7,344
- Concession
- $1,469
- Full fee
- $13,296
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,940
- Concession
- $784
- Full fee
- $12,130
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $3,965
- Concession
- $3,130
- Full fee
- $7,840
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 22 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
Any Location, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 1 year
- Fee
- From $1,990 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
What students like
- Lecturers are approachable and care about learning
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
8 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $3,965 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Website for Box Hill Institute (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
4 campuses, VIC
3.0from 372 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are friendly and supportive
- Course content is practical and relevant
What to weigh up
- Admin replies can be slow
- Course organisation can be inconsistent
- Course page for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
Geelong City Campus, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
- Fee
- From $3,940 subsidised
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
What you’ll learn
17 units: 15 that everyone takes and 2 you choose.
- Building trust with young people
- Planning and leading group activities
- Trauma informed practice
- Recognising and reporting risk
- Supporting mental health
- Cultural safety and diversity
See all 15 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It 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. You would work under the indirect supervision of a manager, making your own decisions within your employer's policies and the law. It can lead to roles like Family Support Worker, Probation Officer or Youth Worker.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
The qualification itself has no entry requirements, but individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
How is it different from Diploma of Youth Work?
The Diploma of Youth Work is at a higher level than this Certificate IV. This qualification reflects the role of workers who develop and facilitate programs for young people, and who are largely self-directed with autonomous decision making under indirect supervision.