Diploma of Youth Work Online
The CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work offers you a rewarding career making a difference in young people's lives, positioning graduates at the forefront of community development

Pursue a future in youth work with the CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work. Do you dream of a fulfilling career that truly makes a difference? Dive into the CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work and position yourself at the forefront of community betterment. With the Australian Government amplifying its investment in this crucial sector, there's an anticipated three-fold surge in demand for skilled professionals over the next 10 years.
Key Highlights:
- CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work: Your path to transforming lives.
- Australian Government's growing focus on youth work.
- Projected 300% increase in the demand for youth work professionals in the next decade.
Seize this unparalleled opportunity and be the change agent in your community. Your journey towards a rewarding youth work career starts here.
Giving back to your community can be very rewarding.
Are you passionate about reshaping the future of young individuals? The CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work equips you with the expertise to holistically support youth. Dive deep into curated modules that ensure you're prepared to create and administer programs addressing the diverse needs of the young – from social and behavioural aspects to health, welfare, and developmental protection.
Potential Career Pathways After Graduation:
- Community Development Manager
- Youth Program Manager
- Youth Services Coordinator
- Youth and Family Services Manager
- Youth Housing Support Manager
- Youth Mental Health Manager
- Juvenile Justice Manager
Ignite a brighter future for the youth and carve a niche for yourself in a field of immense potential and gratification. Your journey to becoming a youth-centric advocate begins with the CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work
Who is this online course for?
This CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work mirrors the pivotal role of individuals tasked with shaping and overseeing programs and services catered to young people. These programs, channelled through various agencies, are meticulously crafted to resonate with the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental, and protection facets of young lives. While these roles are predominantly anchored in community, governmental, and welfare agencies, their impact reverberates across the entire youth community.
At the heart of a youth worker’s mission lies the commitment to engage directly with children and young adults. Their role is to fortify these young minds, nurturing their skills, fostering positive social interactions, and guiding them towards decisions that harmonise with their best interests. Central to this vocation is the possession of sterling interpersonal abilities, a judicious non-prejudicial outlook, acute sensitivity, adaptability, and the fortitude to remain composed during tense moments.
Our CHC50421 Diploma of Youth Work accentuates the significance of proficient case management, coupled with the art of crafting enriching programs and activities. Given the intense and often challenging nature of the role, we believe learners should bring a reservoir of emotional resilience and maturity to the table.
Available Online Units
Core Units
CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and review service programs in accordance with organisational requirements.
It applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in planning, problem-solving and carrying out tasks. This unit also covers maintaining program quality.
CHCCOM002: Use Communication to Build Relationships
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to use communication to build relationships. It includes identifying opportunities and strategies for building relationships, using effective communication techniques, and maintaining relationships.
This unit is relevant to workers in a range of community, health and human service contexts who work with clients, co-workers and other stakeholders.
This unit is important because it will provide you with the skills and knowledge to use communication to build relationships. It is also important to be able to maintain these relationships.
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Identify opportunities and strategies for building relationships
- Use effective communication techniques
- Maintain relationships.
CHCCSM013: Facilitate and review case management (100 hours work placement)
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan, monitor and review case management.
Workers at this level work within organisational policies and procedures and may work autonomously or in consultation with supervisor or team leader.
This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services contexts.
CHCDEV005: Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to analyse impacts of sociological factors when undertaking community work and associated services.
The unit describes the application of knowledge of the broad social and cultural context in which work is planned and implemented in the community services industry.
CHCDIV001: Work with Diverse People
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work effectively with a range of diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
It applies to workers who interface with diverse people as part of their job role. It includes interacting with people from diverse backgrounds in a range of contexts. It also includes having an awareness of own personal values, attitudes and beliefs and how these may impact working with diverse people.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
- Engage diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities in a way that meets their needs promote their strengths and are culturally safe.
- Communicate with diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities using methods and language that are appropriate to their needs.
- Promote the inclusion and participation of diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
- Use effective interpersonal skills to support the development of respectful relationships with diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
- Reflect on personal values, attitudes and beliefs and how they may impact working with diverse individuals
It applies to workers across a range of community work and services contexts who take responsibility for their own outputs within an established framework. They work under broad supervision and guidance from others.
CHCDIV002: Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety within own job role.
This unit applies to workers across a broad range of community service contexts who work collaboratively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. They may work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, families or communities in a direct service capacity or in an indirect service capacity.
Workers at this level maintain cultural safety by ensuring their own attitudes, knowledge, behaviours, and values do not judgementally affect service provision.
They work to ensure that the service environment and delivery are culturally safe for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients. This includes promoting the use of interpreters and other strategies to facilitate communication.
Workers may be required to provide leadership and guidance to others in promoting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.
This unit applies to workers across a range of community work and services contexts who take responsibility for their own outputs within an established framework. They work under broad supervision and guidance from others.
CHCGRP002: Plan and conduct group activities
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and conduct group activities in accordance with agreed guidelines.
It applies to workers who facilitate groups, including program and project workers, recreation officers, youth workers, and volunteer coordinators.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Plan group activities:
- Access relevant information and resources to plan group activities
- Consult relevant personnel to identify the purpose, structure and content of activities
- Develop activity plans that are consistent with organisational guidelines
- Source resources and materials required to implement activities
2. Conduct group activities
- Facilitate activities in accordance with agreed plans and organisational guidelines
- Respond to individual and group needs during activities
- Monitor participation levels and progress towards objectives
- .Prepare required resources and materials
3. Evaluate group activities
- Review activities against agreed plans and objectives
- Consult participants, relevant personnel and others to obtain feedback on activities
- Identify areas for improvement and suggest options for future activity development
4. Record information about group activities
- Prepare accurate and complete records of activities in accordance with organisational procedures.
This unit applies to individuals working under broad supervision who take responsibility for planning and conducting group activities and evaluating outcomes against pre-determined goals and objectives. They work within organisation guidelines, relevant legislation and regulations, agreed network protocols and industry codes.
CHCLEG003: Manage legal and ethical compliance
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage legal and ethical compliance within an organisation or specific service area.
It applies to individuals who are required to develop, implement and maintain organisational or service area policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory and policy requirements.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Develop, implement and maintain organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Consult with relevant personnel to identify compliance risks and responsibilities
- Develop, implement and communicate organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Regularly review compliance policies and procedures to ensure they are relevant and reflect any changes in legislation, regulations or organisational policy.
2. Monitor compliance with organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Monitor organisational or service area compliance activities to identify potential breaches of compliance policies and procedures
- Report any potential breaches of compliance policies and procedures to the relevant personnel
3. Respond to breaches of organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Investigate any potential breaches of compliance policies and procedures in accordance with organisational requirements
- Take appropriate corrective action in response to any actual breaches of compliance policies and procedures
- Review and update organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures in response to any identified gaps or weaknesses
4. Promote a compliance culture within the organisation or service area
- Encourage personnel to adopt and uphold organisational or service area compliance policies and procedures
- Model ethical and compliant behaviour in accordance with organisational values
- Provide training and development opportunities for personnel on their compliance responsibilities
- Communicate openly with personnel about compliance issues and encourage two-way feedback.
5. Keep abreast of changes in legislation, regulations and organisational policy
- Monitor changes in relevant legislation, regulations and organisational policy
- Ensure compliance policies and procedures are updated to reflect any changes in legislation, regulations or organisational policy
- Communicate any changes in compliance requirements to relevant personnel
6. Maintain records of compliance activities
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of compliance activities in accordance with organisational requirements
- Ensure confidential records are securely stored and accessed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
CHCMHS001: Work with people with mental health issues
This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide services and interventions to young people with mental health issues. Workers at this level have a diploma-level qualification and work independently under broad directions from senior management.
This qualification is designed for people working in youth work and other community contexts who provide direct support to young people with mental health issues.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will have the skills and knowledge required to:
- Work with young people with mental health issues
- Develop and implement support plans
- Provide crisis intervention
- Liaise with other agencies and professionals
- Promote the recovery model
- Reflect on and improve your own practice.
CHCPRP001: Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships.
It applies to workers who work with young people in a range of contexts.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Develop partnerships
- Determine purpose of developing partnerships
- Develop networks and linkages
- Identify potential partners
- Develop partnerships
2. Maintain partnerships
- Maintain networks and linkages
- Evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships
3. Develop collaborative relationships
- Develop collaborative relationships
- Implement collaborative relationships
4. Maintain collaborative relationships
- Maintain collaborative relationships
- Evaluate the effectiveness of collaborative relationships
5. Facilitate community participation
- Facilitate community participation
- Evaluate the effectiveness of community participation
6. Advocate for community development
- Advance the interests of community development
- Evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy activities
7. Foster community self-reliance
- Evaluate community needs
- Encourage community initiatives
- Evaluate the effectiveness of fostering community self-reliance
CHCPRT025: Identify and report children and young people at risk
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify children and young people who are at risk and report in line with legislative requirements. This work occurs within legislative and policy frameworks and carries a duty of care responsibility.
This unit applies to workers in a range of job roles providing services to children and young people including in community services and health contexts.
CHCYTH013: Engage respectfully with young people
This diploma course is designed for those who want to pursue a career in youth work. It will provide you with the skills and knowledge to effectively engage with young people.
Upon successful completion of this diploma, you will be able to find employment as a youth worker in a variety of settings, including community organisations, government agencies, and schools.
You will learn how to:
- Establish rapport and respectful relationships with young people
- Understand the perspectives of young people
- Communicate effectively with young people
- Build positive relationships
- Provide support and guidance
- Create safe and inclusive environments for young people
CHCYTH014: Work effectively with young people in the youth work context
This diploma course is designed for those who want to pursue a career in youth work. It will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work effectively with young people in the youth sector.
You will learn how to:
- Plan and implement youth work programs
- Develop and maintain relationships with young people
- Promote the rights and interests of young people
- Work effectively in a team
- Facilitate group activities
- Promote and model ethical behaviour
You will also learn how to support young people in their personal and social development as well as their physical, intellectual and emotional wellbeing.
CHCYTH021: Support youth programs
This Unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support youth workers in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating youth work programs. It applies to individuals who work in a range of youth work contexts who may have program development and/or coordination responsibilities.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Plan youth work programs with guidance
- Access information about the needs of young people in the local community
- Use knowledge of young people’s needs to develop youth work programs that are responsive to the local community
2. Develop youth work programs
- Develop youth work programs in consultation with relevant people
- Ensure that youth work programs are responsive to the needs of young people and contribute to community wellbeing
3. Implement youth work programs
- Facilitate the implementation of youth work programs in consultation with relevant people
- Ensure that youth work programs are implemented according to plan4. Evaluate youth work programs
- Evaluate youth work programs in consultation with relevant people
- Use evaluation findings to improve future program planning
CHCYTH024: Manage service response to young people in crisis
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage support services for young people in crisis. It involves providing leadership and coordination within an organisation and working with other agencies and services to ensure an integrated youth work response.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Develop and implement service response to crisis
- Work with other agencies and services to develop an integrated youth work response to crisis
- Provide leadership and coordination within the organisation to ensure an effective service response to crisis
- Ensure young people and their families receive appropriate support and information during crisis
2. Monitor service response to crisis
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the service response to crisis
- Make improvements to the service response to crisis
3. Evaluate service response to crisis
- Conduct a review of the service response to crisis
- Share findings of the review with relevant stakeholders
- Develop strategies to improve the service response to crisis
4. Maintain records
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the service response to crisis
- Ensure records are stored in accordance with organisational requirements
- Dispose of records in accordance with organisational procedures
HLTWHS003: Maintain work health and safety
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team.
This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
Elective Units
CHCYTH022: Provide services for the needs and circumstances of young people
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide guidance and role models to young people and their families, or nominated carer to maintain positive and supportive relationships, while identifying problems and establishing goals for change based on maintaining support from family, nominated carer and the general community.
This unit applies to community services work in a range of contexts.
CHCCCS004: Assess co-existing needs
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to assess the co-existing needs of clients. It includes a review of assessment frameworks and tools, and an examination of how best to consider the impact of co-existing needs on service delivery.
This unit is important because it helps to ensure that co-existing needs are considered when providing services to clients. This can help to improve the overall service experience for clients and help to ensure that all of their needs are being met.
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the importance of assessing co-existing needs
- Review assessment frameworks and tools
- Consider how co-existing needs can impact service delivery
- Develop an action plan to address co-existing needs.
CHCCCS016: Respond to client needs
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to respond to the needs of clients who may be experiencing crisis situations. It requires the worker to apply a person-centred approach, use effective communication and interpersonal skills, and apply relevant knowledge to develop and provide an appropriate service response.
CHCDFV001: Recognise and Respond Appropriately to Domestic and Family Violence
This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence. This includes understanding the dynamics of domestic and family violence, identifying signs of domestic and family violence, and responding safely and effectively to disclosures of domestic and family violence.
Handling domestic and family violence is a complex task. This unit will give you the skills and knowledge to safely and effectively support people experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence.
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the dynamics of domestic and family violence
- Identify signs of domestic and family violence
- Respond safely and effectively to disclosures of domestic and family violence
- Refer clients who disclose domestic and family violence to appropriate services.
CHCYTH020: Support young people to take collective action
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to enable young people to participate in the decision making that affects their lives.
This unit applies to youth work where the primary concern is to support groups of young people in taking action to meet their needs or responding to community issues.
What career could I have?
Possible careers include after completing the diploma of youth work include:
- community development manager
- youth program manager
- youth services coordinator
- youth and family services manager
- youth housing support manager
- youth mental health manager
- juvenile justice manager
FAQ
Student entry requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Have completed their education to a level which is equivalent to an Australian Senior High School Year 12 or has completed an AQF Certificate IV in Youth Work.
- Have suitable language, literacy and numeracy skills to read and comprehend learning materials and perform tasks related to recording workplace documents including reading and writing detailed reports, case notes, reports and other documents, interpreting workplace policy and procedure and reporting hazards. Learners are required to pass an online LLN assessment test
- Be capable of completing 100 hours of work placement in a suitable health facility.
- Have sound computer skills to navigate simple software to complete the online component of this course and must be able to use intermediate level Word features in order to produce and present word-processed documents/ reports.
- Have access to a laptop and internet to complete this online course.
- Have a valid Working with Children Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to work placement)
- Have a valid Police Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to work placement)
- Have the required immunisations, including COVID-19 vaccination, as required to attend the placement facility. Please note, additional immunisations may be required given Government or placement facility’s health policy changes.
- These entry requirements will be confirmed through information collected on the enrolment form and during the enrolment interview.
Experience a Comprehensive Blended Learning Journey
Our training employs a hybrid delivery approach, merging the best of both worlds:
- Live Online Classroom Sessions: Engage with our trainers in real-time, interactive sessions.
- Structured Self-guided Study: Progress at your own pace with our digital resources.
- Skills Development & Practice Sessions: Hone your expertise with hands-on exercises.
- Work Placement: Get real-world exposure with a 10-week placement, dedicating 20 hours weekly.
- Personalised Progress Mentoring: Benefit from individualised mentoring sessions, tailored to your unique learning needs.
Hader Institute provides support to all learners through the trainer and the Hader Institute of Education Learner Support Officer.
The assessment is conducted using a combination of realistic workplace tasks, projects, knowledge tests, response to case studies and completing practical demonstrations. The following provides a brief explanation of the assessment methods that are to be applied: Written tasks; Case Study; Practical Activities and online Demonstrations via Zoom or another streaming service
How long will it take to complete the diploma?
The diploma can be completed in 12 - 18 months, depending on your study schedule. You can also receive recognition for prior learning to shorten this duration.
Can you be a youth worker without a degree?
You do not need a degree to work as a youth worker. However, You'll need a level 2 qualification to work with young people aged 16 and 17. You'll need a level 3 qualification to work with young people aged 18 and over. A degree in social work, psychology, or a related field will give much experience.
What are the working conditions for youth workers?
Youth workers typically work standard office hours, Monday to Friday. However, they may also need to work evenings and weekends to attend events or meet with clients. Youth workers may work in a range of settings, including schools, community centres, youth justice facilities and residential care homes.
* In-person or Virtual Meeting