If you work with children and young people, you might work regular hours, or you might find a role with more flexibility. You’ll develop ongoing relationships with the children and families you work with, as well as other staff. You’ll need empathy, patience and understanding for this kind of work.
What people love about working with children and young people
Here are some of the benefits of working with children and young people:
* You can make a positive, lasting impact on the children and people you work with.
* You can be a role model and mentor, providing support, knowledge and safety to the next generation.
* No 2 days are the same. You’ll work with different children doing different things, engaging in activities, play and relationship building.
* There are diverse roles available so you can explore different aspects of the industry. You’ll be able to take your transferable skills with you throughout your career.
Where you can work
There is a wide range of industries where you can work with children and young people. For example, you could work in a child care centre, a school, a youth centre, or a support service.
The kinds of settings you could work in include:
* childcare, preschools and kindergarten
* primary and secondary schools
* youth and community services
* children’s health and wellbeing service providers
* supporting parents and guardians with child care.
Working with children and young people jobs may be in the education and training industry or the health care and social assistance industry.
Job demand in Victoria
Working with children and young people jobs overlap both the education and training industry and the health care and social assistance industry.
Figures show the number of workers in 2024 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2027 and 2034.
‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 and 10 years. These projections are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.
Below are employment projections for the education and training industry and the health care and social assistance industry in Victoria.
Region Workers 2024 New workers expected by 2027 New workers expected by 2034
Victoria 305,953 31,874 129,763
Melbourne – inner metropolitan 43,100 4,279 17,878
Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan 29,102 2,461 10,144
Melbourne – southern metropolitan 38,574 3,971 16,266
Melbourne – northern metropolitan 40,575 4,700 19,750
Melbourne – eastern metropolitan 48,075 4,044 17,858
Melbourne – western metropolitan 36,713 5,116 20,377
Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) 9,038 999 3,867
Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) 10,176 1,145 4,113
Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) 16,467 1,886 7,455
Gippsland 11,905 1,240 4,654
Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) 1,971 176 607
Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) 4,158 325 1,283
Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) 5,269 529 1,821
Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) 6,422 610 2,257
Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) 4,407 393 1,433
“A common misconception is that working with children only offers care-based work. While that is part of it, there is a range of opportunities. All of that coming out of one sector is pretty amazing.”
Explore growing industries in your region
Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.
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