The community services sector is one of the largest in Australia. In fact, according to LinkedIn’s 2021 report, Jobs on the Rise, a number of community services roles are currently some of the most in-demand in Australia.

Unsurprisingly, frontline workers top the list. However, COVID-19 has also fuelled demand for what is known as the “care economy”. This refers to the healthcare and social assistance sector, and it is one of the country’s largest and fastest growing industries, employing more than 1.5 million people. The sector covers all stages of life — from childcare to aged care — and incorporates a range of roles. According to the report, youth workers, social services specialists, childcare workers and case managers, in particular, are in high demand.

Working in community services typically means dealing with vulnerable people who may be experiencing poverty, hardship, discrimination or domestic violence. These roles deliver much-needed help when it comes to providing counselling, food relief, emergency housing, health clinics, aged care, child care services, and other services that affect the community’s most vulnerable members. Here are some career-enhancing reasons to work in community services.

You can make a real difference in people’s lives

When you work in community services, you profoundly impact the welfare of vulnerable people. Every day you can help and support others, make a difference to the quality of their lives, and give them hope for a brighter future.

This sense of achievement also extends to advocating for the rights of people who can’t necessarily stand up for themselves. Using your voice, connections and influences, you can help them tackle the legal, social and economic barriers that often trap individuals and keep them in at-risk situations.

As a community service worker, you can also build stronger, more inclusive communities by acting as a link between clients, healthcare workers, educators and social service professionals.

You’ll enhance your personal growth

While being a community service worker can be challenging, knowing that your job is meaningful to others can make you experience an enormous sense of purpose and personal fulfilment. It can help raise awareness of issues you are passionate about, as many roles involve marginalised communities and individuals in need.

You will make new friends, expand your professional network, and improve your communication, interpersonal, social, collaboration and time management skills. Working with people from all walks of life can also help you become more empathic and build your emotional intelligence.

You’ll be joining a fast-growing sector

According to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector (of which community services form part) is the largest employing industry in Australia and has experienced continuous employment growth since 2001. In 2021, approximately 1.8 million people were employed in this industry, which is projected to increase to more than two million by 2025.

The employment landscape has also changed dramatically with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are looking to work in community services, it’s worth knowing some of the occupations forecasted to have the most significant projected employment growth according to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights. They project jobs in healthcare and social assistance will grow by 15.8 per cent by November 2026 and include roles in aged care, disability services and mental health.

You’ll have multiple career options

Work in community services involves a myriad of different roles, ensuring employees have opportunities to expand their skill set and qualify for different roles. Ultimately, this means you could follow a variety of career paths throughout your career until you find your niche. Some of the areas you can specialise in (and this list is just a snapshot!) include:

Aged care

According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, this is one of the occupations with the most significant projected employment growth over the next five years. Job roles could include working in:

• Aged and home care
• Aged care counselling
• Home and community care
• Leisure and recreation program design
• Supporting people with dementia

Disability services

Another occupation with significant projected employment growth, the area of disabled carers is also one of the largest employing occupations in the health care and social assistance sector. This is partly due to the Australian Government investing over $64 million in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the 2018-2019 budget.

Mental health

In 2020, the Federal Government provided more than $20 million in additional funding for research to improve mental health care in Australia. This has increased the demand for jobs, including in the areas of:

• Case management
• Domestic and family violence
• Trauma counselling
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Family therapy
• Migrant and refugee support
• Chaplaincy, pastoral and spiritual care
• Developmental, learning and behaviour disorders in children and adolescents

Child protection

In 2020–21, almost 179,000 children aged under 18 years received child protection services. This equates to a rate of 32 per 1,000 children. Working in child protection can include the areas of:

• Child protection and case management
• Child psychology
• Youth and family intervention

You’ll enjoy work flexibility

One of the other benefits of community services is the flexibility offered in terms of when, where and how you work. Community services workers can work in the government, private or not-for-profit sectors, and each comes with its own perks and benefits.

Many roles offer hours outside of the “standard” nine-to-five. So you can find a job that suits your schedule and your preference. There may also be the opportunity for weekend and public holiday work which could enhance your income.

Community service workers are also required nationwide — in big and small cities, regional towns and rural and remote locations. This country-wide demand will ensure you have lots of options in terms of where you would like to live and work.