Employment and training snapshot
The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is the largest employing industry in Australia and has experienced continuous employment growth since 2002. In 2022, over 2.0 million people were employed in this industry, although the level is projected to decrease slightly by 2025. Community Services related industry sectors and occupations form one part of the overall Health Care and Social Assistance industry.
Child Care Services (one of the industry sectors within the broader Health Care and Social Assistance industry) and Preschool Education are both industry areas where employment has increased substantially since 2002, and are both projected to increase further up until 2025.
Program enrolments in Community Services-related qualifications have increased each year since 2018 from around 332,930 to just over 425,460 in 2021. After a fall in 2020, program completions increased to just over 118,040 in 2021.
Between 2017 and 2021, the majority of Community Services-related subjects were delivered as part of a nationally recognised program.
Industry insights on skills needs
The Community Services industry is experiencing a range of opportunities and challenges. Demand for services will continue to increase and the workforce is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades.
For an analysis of skills needs for specific Community Services sectors, please see the relevant sector pages.