Community services courses
Want to work with young people or families through a hard period? A certificate can get you started in under a year, and a diploma leads to case management and program work. Here's what each course leads to, how long it takes and what it costs.
- Quickest way to start
- 6 months
- Certificate IV, typical full time length
- TAFE cost from
- $1,990
- subsidised Certificate IV, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $70,200 to $95,900
- median pay across 3 jobs, some estimated
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
Support families through difficult times
Help families and young people through trauma, disruption and contact with the care and justice systems.
Median pay$70,200 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- Typically 6 to 24 months
- What it costs
- $3,955 at TAFE Queensland if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $7,825 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
Certificate IV in Youth Work
Start working with young people
Run programs and build trust with teenagers and young adults in community and government services.
JobYouth Worker
Median pay$95,900
- How long it takes
- About 1 year full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,990 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $10,860 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus, a mix or on the job
Diploma of Youth Work
Take on youth case management
Support young people in crisis, plan group programs and manage a caseload with broad supervision.
JobYouth Worker
Median pay$95,900
- How long it takes
- About 1 year full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $11,738 at Chisholm Institute if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $21,910 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
You don't have to do it all at once
Many people start with a certificate, get a job in a service, then study the diploma while they work. Here's how that can look.
- Get a Certificate IVThe Certificate IV in Youth Work or in child, youth and family intervention is the quickest way into the sector.
- Work in a serviceBuild experience with young people and families, usually with a senior worker overseeing your cases.
- Study the Diploma of Youth WorkTake on case management, plan programs and work with more independence.
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention | Certificate IV in Community Services | Certificate IV in Leisure and Health | Certificate IV in Youth Work | Diploma of Community Services | Diploma of Youth Work | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | Not listed | Not listed | $1,990 | $10,850 | $1,990 | $10,820 | $1,990 | $10,860 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $5,093 | $13,823 | $13,336 | $23,021 | $11,738 | $21,910 |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $6,097 | $14,107 | $6,097 | $12,772 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $15,064 | $25,106 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | $4,868 | $13,364 | $3,428 | $11,744 | $7,344 | $13,296 | $9,756 | $20,190 | Not listed | Not listed |
| The Gordon | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | $6,043 | $12,148 | $11,054 | $17,517 | $3,940 | $12,130 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $3,955 | $7,825 | $3,555 | $6,945 | Not listed | Not listed | $3,965 | $7,840 | $9,500 | $13,300 | Not listed | $11,635 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- $1,990 subsidised
- $10,850 full fee
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- $1,990 subsidised
- $10,820 full fee
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- $1,990 subsidised
- $10,860 full fee
- Diploma of Community Services
- Not listed
- Diploma of Youth Work
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- $5,093 subsidised
- $13,823 full fee
- Diploma of Community Services
- $13,336 subsidised
- $23,021 full fee
- Diploma of Youth Work
- $11,738 subsidised
- $21,910 full fee
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- $6,097 subsidised
- $14,107 full fee
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- $6,097 subsidised
- $12,772 full fee
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- Not listed
- Diploma of Community Services
- $15,064 subsidised
- $25,106 full fee
- Diploma of Youth Work
- Not listed
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- $4,868 subsidised
- $13,364 full fee
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- $3,428 subsidised
- $11,744 full fee
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- $7,344 subsidised
- $13,296 full fee
- Diploma of Community Services
- $9,756 subsidised
- $20,190 full fee
- Diploma of Youth Work
- Not listed
The GordonVIC
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- $6,043 subsidised
- $12,148 full fee
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- $11,054 subsidised
- $17,517 full fee
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- $3,940 subsidised
- $12,130 full fee
- Diploma of Community Services
- Not listed
- Diploma of Youth Work
- Not listed
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- $3,955 subsidised
- $7,825 full fee
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- $3,555 subsidised
- $6,945 full fee
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- $3,965 subsidised
- $7,840 full fee
- Diploma of Community Services
- $9,500 subsidised
- $13,300 full fee
- Diploma of Youth Work
- Not listed
- $11,635 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Other university courses
- Bachelor of Human Services3 years. A broad degree for community, health and justice services, with electives in mental health, disability or ageing.
Can help with: case manager
- Bachelor of Community Services3 years. For support work in welfare and public sector settings, covering counselling, advocacy and cultural safety.
Can help with: community arts worker, liaison officer, volunteer coordinator
- Bachelor of Youth Work3 years. Trains you to work with young people facing disadvantage, drawing on youth policy and community development.
- Bachelor of Community and Human Services3 years. For case management, family and disability support and youth justice work across the community sector.
Can help with: case manager, community development officer
- Diploma in Social and Human Services1 year. A base for further study in counselling, psychology, social work or community health.
- Undergraduate Certificate in Human Services6 months. A first look at human services work, often taken to test your interest or prepare for a bachelor degree.
Other certificates and diplomas
- Certificate IV in Community Services8 to 18 months. For people starting out in community services, or already working in the field and wanting their experience recognised.
Can help with: case manager, community development officer, liaison officer
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health4 to 12 months. For people in care or community settings who want to plan and run leisure and health activities.
- Diploma of Community Services6 to 24 months. For assessing needs, managing a caseload and supervising other workers in a community service.
Can help with: case manager, community arts worker, community development officer
- Diploma of Leisure and Health1 to 2 years. For people already in leisure and lifestyle roles who want to coordinate programs and lead a team.
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Family Support WorkerWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$70,200 (estimate)
Youth Justice WorkerWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$91,000 (estimate)- Youth WorkerWhat you needCertificate IV or diplomaMedian pay$95,900
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.