Diploma of Youth Work

Overview

Support the diverse needs of young people, make a difference to communities and individuals. Our Diploma of Youth Work focuses on developing and implementing programs that address the challenges faced by young people. You'll learn how to work within organisational guidelines to achieve positive outcomes with your services. After graduating, you'll be ready for employment in community organisations, government agencies and other settings dedicated to youth development.

Get a copy of our course guide

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

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Your industry experience

The Diploma of Youth Work requires 200 work placement hours. You will also be given the option to do 120 hours should you want to experience two different Youth Work organisations.

Explore Work Integrated Learning

Skills you’ll learn

Delivering person-centred services for young people
Crisis management
Advocacy for people
Design, deliver and evaluate programs

Your career opportunities

Youth Worker
Program Coordinator
Community Development Officer
Recreation Coordinator

Further education

Key codes

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Location options

Hawthorn

Admissions

Applicants require a minimum of completion of Year 12 or equivalent and be at least 18 years of age.

Non school leavers without formal qualifications are welcome to apply.

Other requirements

The following additional criteria for entry apply for this course:

All applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old at the commencement of the course
All students must hold a current Working with Children Check throughout the duration of the program
All students must hold a current Police Check throughout the duration of the program* (* If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for work within the community services environment).
Applicants will need to demonstrate literacy and numeracy competencies.
Students will need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection, with adequate speed and sufficient data allowance.

Informed Choices statement

View the Informed Choices statement, which provides information about the inherent requirements of community services, specifically the essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks, professional placements and progress to a career in this field. This information is intended to assist you to choose whether you can successfully participate in and complete a course.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.

RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Diploma of Community Services

Discover more (Diploma of Community Services)
Certificate IV in Youth Work

Discover more (Certificate IV in Youth Work)
Certificate IV in Mental Health

Discover more (Certificate IV in Mental Health)

Course structure

To be awarded the Diploma of Youth Work, students will need to complete 21 units, (sixteen core and five elective units).

Standard classroom delivery for full-time students includes on-campus classes combined with work placement.

The course includes a mix of delivery methods, such as face-to-face class time, online work, and project work.
Assessment requires group work, actor simulation, role play, written assignments.
Students may be required to attend other campuses from time to time for events and other course engagements.
Student will be required to successfully complete practical placement of 200 hours.

Core units

Elective units

200

hours

Placement

Diploma

Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 1575

Your units

Diploma of Youth Work

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Develop and implement service programs Core unit	CHCCCS007
Use communication to build relationships Core unit	CHCCOM002
Facilitate and review case management Core unit	CHCCSM013
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services Core unit	CHCDEV005
Work with diverse people Core unit	CHCDIV001
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety Core unit	CHCDIV002
Plan and conduct group activities Core unit	CHCGRP002
Manage legal and ethical compliance Core unit	CHCLEG003
Work with people with mental health issues Core unit	CHCMHS001
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships Core unit	CHCPRP001
Identify and report children and young people at risk Core unit	CHCPRT025
Engage respectfully with young people Core unit	CHCYTH013
Work effectively with young people in the youth work context Core unit	CHCYTH014
Maintain work health and safety Core unit	HLTWHS003
Support youth programs Core unit	CHCYTH021
Manage service response to young people in crisis Core unit	CHCYTH024
Elective units
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence Elective unit	CHCDFV001
Assess co-existing needs Elective unit	CHCCCS004
Provide services for the needs and circumstances of young people Elective unit	CHCYTH022
Work effectively in trauma informed care Elective unit	CHCMHS007
Respond to critical situations Elective unit	CHCYTH016

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$19,530

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$10,320

2025 fees

Fees are estimates only

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Skills first government-subsidised place

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Financials
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)

If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.

The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

Learn more about VET student loans

Concessions rates for vocational students

If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.

Learn more about concession rates

Study this course for free in 2025

You could have your tuition fees covered in 2025 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE initiative.

Free TAFE is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.

There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!

Check your eligibility (Study this course for free in 2025)

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

From 1 January 2024, all courses at the Diploma level and higher will contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

365.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

365.00

Learn more about SSAF

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents

CHC50421

Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code

CHC50421

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

August Intake

Hawthorn

08-August-2025

28-July-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

August Intake

Hawthorn

28-July-2025

Upcoming events

Swinburne Study Expo (Wantirna)

28-May-2025

Swinburne Study Expo (Hawthorn)

05-June-2025

Swinburne Study Expo (Croydon)

11-June-2025

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Got questions about a course?

Your industry experience

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Further education

Key codes

International student visa

Location options

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Diploma of Youth Work

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)