Course Summary

Start your career with the Certificate IV in Youth Work. Support young individuals in making positive life changes and empower them to navigate life’s challenges.  This youth work course provides the skills and knowledge necessary to work with young people in the community. The qualification is designed for workers who develop and facilitate a range of community-based programs to address the social, behavioural, health, wellbeing, developmental and protection needs of young people. This work may be undertaken through employment in community, government and youth sector agencies and workers are responsible for implementing policies and guidelines of the employing organisation.  Youth workers are largely self-directed with autonomous decision-making capacity under the indirect supervision of a manager. This is a nationally recognised accredited course.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless they have previously completed a Certificate IV or higher-level course. The BKSB will highlight any areas where additional support may be required from CQUniversity.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

To complete CHC40421 – Certificate IV in Youth Work, along with online learning, you will be required to complete an approved work placement for 80-hour placement within an appropriate work setting.  Students who are currently working in a relevant role may be eligible to undertake placement with their existing employer, subject to approval from the relevant Educational Team Leader and agreement from the employer. A vocational placement competency logbook must be signed off to confirm essential skills gained.  

When you have completed at least 10 units, you will be required to complete a Placement Application Form. This form allows you to apply for approval to complete your placement within your workplace or alternatively, request to attend a CQUniversity-sourced placement.

CQUniversity’s Workforce Integrated Learning (WIL) team will aim to source a placement located within your community; however, circumstances may require you to relocate to complete the placement.

Mandatory placement checks are compulsory for this course and it is important that students ensure they can meet the requirements for these checks. Mandatory Check inquiries can be directed to WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au and further detailed information can be sourced by clicking on the following link:  IMMUNISATIONS AND VACCINATIONS WIL DOCUMENT. 

You may also be required to undertake a pre-placement interview with the host organisation and placement may be subject to you meeting the organisation's requirements.

Course Details

Admission Codes

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

This course will give you the specialised skills and knowledge to gain employment as a youth worker in a range of settings including community, government and youth sector agencies. Youth workers develop and facilitate programs for youth, including those at risk, through a range of community-based programs designed to address the social, behavioural, health, wellbeing, developmental and protection needs of young people. Furthermore, your study experience will provide you with skills and a qualification that enable you to further your education.