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Here are some frequently asked questions relating to youth work and memberships
Youth Work is a practice that places young people and their interests first. Youth Work is a relational practice, where the youth worker operates alongside the young person in their context. Youth Work is an empowering practice that advocates for and facilitates a young person’s independence, participation in society, connectedness and realisation of their rights.
National Definition of Youth Work (Australian Youth Affairs Coalition 2013)
Youth Work NSW acknowledges the broader and ongoing conversation on the definition of youth and its implication on what Youth Work is. However, without prejudice to other definitions, Youth Work NSW has aligned its definition with the NSW Government and views young people primarily as individuals aged 12 to 24 years old. Subsequently, Youth Work as defined above is a practice that primarily engages individuals in this age range.
Youth Work NSW is the professional association for youth workers in New South Wales. We support youth work as a profession, ensuring that young people have access to ethical, skilled and committed youth workers.
We will do this by creating opportunities for youth workers to organise and to share their knowledge and experience, bringing together key resources to promote, uphold and improve our practice, and working together with others to make NSW a better, fairer place for young people.
Youth Work NSW is the professional association for youth workers in New South Wales and exists to support the profession by ensuring youth workers are skilled, committed and act ethically in their practice.
Youth Action is the peak body representing young people and the services that support them in NSW.
The quick answer is no, although it’s never that straightforward. It’s really important that one understands why they want to become a youth worker in the first place by asking a few basic questions and quite a bit of self-reflection: Why exactly do I want to work with young people? What are my core values and ethics? Have I dealt with my own traumas and issues?
In NSW, as a mandatory legislated requirement you will be required to undergo a Working with Children Check (WWCC) which deters people from applying to work with children where they have a relevant charge or conviction on their criminal record that indicates they may harm a child. Employers may also request you undergo a National Police Check, however, having a conviction may not necessarily exclude you from employment.
The first step is completing and submitting our application form! Once received, your application will be reviewed by the Youth Work NSW committee and you will be notified of the decision.
There are currently five pathways (Vocational, Qualification, Portfolio, Student and Associate) into membership to support the varied backgrounds and experiences that Youth Workers hold. More information on our membership pathways and application process can be found on our membership page.
Broadly speaking, youth workers across NSW will benefit through the development of a professional identity for the sector that better defines the focus and space that youth work occupies alongside cognate fields of practice. Members of Youth Work NSW will be able to directly contribute to the development and promotion of this identity.
Additionally, members will have increased opportunities to network, connect with and support other youth workers across the state, while directly benefiting from the shared knowledge of association members and professional development opportunities that will emerge.
There are currently five pathways (Vocational, Qualification, Portfolio, Student and Associate) into membership with Youth Work NSW, with each created to support the varied backgrounds and experiences that Youth Workers hold. For more information on these pathways and your eligibility head over to our membership page.
Membership fees are waived for 2023.
Membership fees will be reviewed at the next AGM in December 2023.
Yes! Youth Work NSW supports multiple pathways to membership, including associate membership for students and those not currently working in the sector. For more information on membership pathways head over to our membership page.
There is no obligation to become a member. However, we believe the benefits of the association listed above will be amplified by an extensive, diverse and committed member base.
Yes! Youth Work NSW supports multiple pathways to membership, including degree’s in cognate fields and applications based on experience. For more information on these pathways head over to our membership page.
A ‘youth worker of standing’ is a youth worker who would be eligible for membership with Youth Work NSW. They do not need to be a member, only eligible. This is to confirm that the work which you do is considered as youth work practice. They do not need to be a manager, but could potentially be a colleague. We recognise that some people work in organisations where they may be the only youth worker. If you are unsure whether you can provide a ‘youth worker of standing’ referee, please contact us. We do not want this to be a barrier to applying for membership.
In short, no. As previously stated, Youth Work NSW supports youth work as a profession, ensuring young people have access to ethical, skilled and committed youth workers. The best interests of young people will remain our focus as we seek to fulfil our purpose and we believe that the strengths of youth work as a practice will be made more evident through the existence of the association and the mobilisation of our members.
Youth Work NSW will not act as a union for Youth Workers. At this stage the association has no affiliation with any Union bodies. If you are interested in joining a Union, we would encourage you to explore what options exist through your employer.
No, Youth Work NSW will not provide insurance for private Youth Practitioners. Youth Work NSW supports youth work as a profession, ensuring young people have access to ethical, skilled and committed youth workers. We will fulfill this vision by creating opportunities for youth workers to organise and share their knowledge and experience, bringing together key resources to promote, uphold and improve our practice, and by working together with others to make NSW a better, fairer place for young people.
Youth Work NSW believes that the practice of ethical, skilled and committed youth work requires specialist skills and an understanding of critical theoretical frameworks in order best support young people. We believe in a commitment to lifelong learning (founded on the ethic of Knowledge) and support the delivery of existing and yet-to-be-developed courses that enhance the Youth Worker’s skill set.
If you are interested in studying youth work, the following courses are currently available in NSW:
Bachelor’s Degree
Diploma & Certificates
Youth Work NSW believes that the practice of ethical, skilled and committed youth work requires specialist skills and an understanding of critical theoretical frameworks in order best support young people. We believe in a commitment to lifelong learning (founded on the ethic of Knowledge) and support the delivery of existing and yet-to-be-developed courses that enhance the Youth Worker’s skill set.
If you are interested in studying youth work, the following courses are currently available in NSW:
Bachelor’s Degree
Diploma & Certificates
