Overview
Begin a career making a difference in the lives of young people, with a Certificate IV in Youth Work CHC40421 at Victoria University.
In this youth work course, you will learn how to develop and facilitate programs that support young people. Through targeted learning and practical exercises, you will develop skills needed to help teens and young adults address their health, behavioural, social and safety needs.
Our experienced youth-work teachers will show you effective techniques to achieve positive outcomes for 12- to 25-year-olds in a range of community settings, so you graduate work-ready.
By the end of your youth-work course, you will have skills needed to:
- advocate for young people
- assess youth at risk
- manage youth-work cases
- keep young people safe
- organise community-education and group activities
- communicate effectively
- understand an organisation’s policies and guidelines.
Get hands-on learning & connect to industry
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world.
You’ll be guided by teachers who have valuable workplace contacts and the latest industry-standard skills and knowledge.
Studying with us means you’ll get the hands-on experience required to be job-ready when you graduate.
Be part of an inclusive community
At Victoria University, we believe in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity.
We have a strong history of community engagement, working with organisations in the region to develop programs that meet local needs.
These partnerships benefit the communities around each of our campuses, and our students too. By contributing to local projects, we can ensure your skills are well matched to opportunities in the region, and create networks for your future employment.
Learn about our community partnerships.
Get the support you need to succeed
Victoria University has academic support programs and tailored resources designed to help you succeed in your studies.
Through workshops, mentoring, and study groups, we can help you with:
- assignments and assessment tasks
- maths skills
- writing skills
- English language
- time management
- study strategies.
We also have disability support services and counselling services available to all students.
Find out about our learning advice and support.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Careers in youth work
This industry-focused certificate will give you the foundational skills for a rewarding career in youth work. You could find employment in community, government or youth sector agencies in a range of areas such as:
- psycho-social support services (including residential, day program and outreach)
- recreational programs
- juvenile justice
- housing
- schools.
Once you have completed your youth-work certificate, you can seek work as a:
- community development worker (youth)
- youth and family resource officer
- Indigenous-youth worker
- youth and family service worker
- recreational youth activities worker
- youth case worker
- residential care worker
- youth housing support worker
- support worker residential
- youth worker
- community care worker
- youth alcohol and other drugs worker.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded the CHC40421 Certificate IV in Youth Work, 17 units of completed consisting of:
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15 core units
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2 elective units
- at least 1 must be listed in the training package
- up to 1 may be from the training package or any endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
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- Unit code
- CHCCOM002
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- Unit code
- CHCDFV001
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- Unit code
- CHCDIV001
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- Unit code
- CHCDIV002
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- Unit code
- CHCGRP002
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- Unit code
- CHCLEG001
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- Unit code
- CHCMHS001
-
- Unit code
- CHCMHS007
-
- Unit code
- CHCPRT025
-
- Unit code
- CHCYTH013
-
- Unit code
- CHCYTH014
-
- Unit code
- CHCYTH015
-
- Unit code
- CHCYTH016
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- Unit code
- CHCYTH022
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- Unit code
- HLTWHS001
Elective units
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- Unit code
- CHCCCS009
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- Unit code
- CHCCDE019
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of workers who develop and facilitate programs for young people through a range of community-based programs designed to address the social, behavioural, health, well-being, developmental and protection needs of young people.
This work may be undertaken through employment in the community, government and youth sector agencies and workers are responsible for implementing policies and guidelines of the employing organisation. They are largely self-directed with autonomous decision making capacity under the indirect supervision of a manager.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age or over at the commencement of the course.
Applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.
Throughout the course delivery students are encouraged to engage with children in a voluntary capacity as part of the learning for unit CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities. To undertake and participate, students will require a Police Check (without convictions) and a Voluntary Working with Children Check. Discussion of this requirement will take place prior to enrolment.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about our study pathways to VU
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 3 February 2025
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 27 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 3 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
