Youth Work

Do you have great organisational skills and a passion for working with young people? Youth work offers a rewarding career path and an opportunity to give back to young people in your community.

Our courses prepare you to develop and manage community-based programs for young people to address their social, health, welfare, development and protection needs. The diploma allows you to delve further into your knowledge of community welfare, gaining enhanced experience in community engagement, supplying advanced interventions to clients as well as learning how to respond to crises.

Industry Placement

Get 200 unpaid hours of industry experience with an industry placement! This will give you the firsthand skills to be ready for employment. CIT teachers co-ordinate placement.

(Certificate IV: 80 unpaid hours. Diploma: 120 unpaid hours)

Why study at CIT?

  • Firsthand industry experience
  • One of five specialised fields of study to personalise your Community Services Diploma
  • Many job opportunities in Canberra and throughout Australia
  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Certificate IV in Youth Work | CHC40413
    CRICOS: 081441D

    Diploma of Community Services | CHC52015
    CRICOS: 089976G

    New training packages will be introduced for the Certificate IV and Diploma qualifications in 2024.

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    TOTAL CIT PACKAGE: 2 years
    Certificate IV: 1 year Diploma: 1 year

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2024 Semester 1 (February, April) and Semester 2 (July, October)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Bruce

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2024: 

    Certificate IV $7,830 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $15,660)

    Diploma $7,830 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $15,660)

    Extra Fees:

    Working with Vulnerable People Check: $135 approx., you may be required to purchase a shirt for placement for $30-$40

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small tuition and material fee increases may occur annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. Fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • Year 12 Certificate (or equivalent)


    Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry with relevant practical work or other professional experience. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

    English requirements:

    • IELTS 5.5 (no band score less than 5.0)
    • TOEFL iBT - 46
    • PTE Academic - 42 (minimum of 36 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 162

    Other requirements:

    You will need to be eligible to obtain a “Working with Vulnerable People” card to undertake placement.

  • Course Subjects - Certificate IV

    Certificate IV in Youth Work | CHC40413 - 18 subjects

    Core: complete all 14 subjects

    • CHCCDE003 Work within a community development framework
    • CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships
    • CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
    • CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
    • CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
    • CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
    • CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
    • CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
    • CHCYTH001 Engage respectfully with young people
    • CHCYTH002 Work effectively with young people in the youth work context
    • CHCYTH003 Support young people to create opportunities in their lives
    • CHCYTH004 Respond to critical situations
    • CHCYTH010 Provide services for young people appropriate to their needs and circumstances
    • HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

    Electives: complete minimum 2 subjects

    • CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
    • CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
    • CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs
    • CHCSOH001 Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
    • CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
    • CHCYTH011 Work effectively with young people and their families

    Electives: complete maximum 2 subjects

    • CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
    • CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Community Services | CHC52015 - 16 subjects

    (Subjects completed in the Certificate III will not need to be completed again)

    Core: Complete all 8 subjects

    • CHCCOM003 Develop workplace communication strategies
    • CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity
    • CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs
    • CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance
    • CHCDEV002 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
    • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
    • CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
    • HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety

    Electives: Complete 6 subjects

    • CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
    • CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
    • CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
    • CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
    • CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services
    • CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
    • CHCAOD007 Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
    • CHCAOD008 Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CHCYTH012 Manage service response to young people in crisis
    • CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
    • CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
    • CHCCSM004 Coordinate complex case requirements

    Electives: Complete maximum of 2 subjects

    • CHCMHS010 Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
    • CHCYTH008 Support young people to take collective action
    • CHCYTH009 Support youth programs
    • CHCMHS012 Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
    • CHCCSM008 Undertake advanced client assessment
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Certificate IV: This program provides you with the skills, techniques and theories in the area of youth work. You will have the opportunity for practical experience. Graduates completing the program are working as youth workers in the community services field including residential and non-residential programs.

    Diploma: Team leader, youth worker in the community services field, including residential and non-residential programs.

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    Modes of study include simulated workplaces for students to practice their new skills, work experience or work placement, supervised study time with a teacher and online learning and student engagement through e-Learn.

    Students must complete class work, assignments, practical components and project work throughout the course. They may then be assessed using a combination of these tasks, continuous assessment and examinations. Assessment outcomes may be based on competency, marks and grades, or a combination of all three assessment methods.

  • Pathways to Further Study

    Because CIT offers nationally recognised qualifications accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), students can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to most universities within Australia and receive credit towards a degree, even where formal credit transfer arrangements are not in place; however, this is not a guarantee.

    We recommend you speak directly with your chosen university in relation to credit transfer, entry requirements and their application process.