Do I need a Certificate III first?

No. The register records no entry requirements for CHC40421, and many people enter it directly.

Why are fifteen of seventeen units core?

Because youth work has a defined practice base. Domestic and family violence, mental health, trauma informed care and mandatory reporting are all core - the qualification will not let a provider package those out.

Do I need a working with children check?

Yes, in every state and territory, and employers require it before placement. It is set by state legislation, not by the qualification.

Is this a counselling qualification?

No. It covers engaging with young people, running programs and responding to critical situations. Counselling has separate qualifications and professional requirements.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Placement usually applies.

CHC40421 Certificate IV in Youth Work

About this qualification

CHC40421 is the youth work qualification. The register describes workers who “develop and facilitate programs for young people through a range of community-based programs designed to address the social, behavioural, health, wellbeing, developmental and protection needs of young people”.

Seventeen units, and fifteen are core. You choose two. Youth work has a settled body of practice and the training package reflects it.

Four core units name things the qualification refuses to treat as optional: domestic and family violence, mental health, trauma informed care, and identifying and reporting children and young people at risk. Anyone holding this qualification has covered all four.

CHCYTH016 Respond to critical situations sits in the core too. That is a plain acknowledgement of what the work involves.

Only 58 providers deliver it — a narrow field for a role with this much social weight.

Roles it maps to

Roles described on the national register for CHC40421.

Youth Worker Youth Program Coordinator Case Worker — Youth Residential Youth Worker

Where it sits

Where CHC40421 sits in the community services ladder.

Certificate IIICHC32015 Community Services
Certificate IV · you are hereCHC40421 Youth Work
DiplomaCHC52025 Community Services
Advanced DiplomaCHC62015 Community Sector Management

What it covers

15Core units

2Elective units

Seventeen units in total. At least one elective from the listed bank, with up to one from that list or any endorsed training package or accredited course.

Fifteen core units. The first fourteen:

CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships
CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCPRT025 Identify and report children and young people at risk
CHCYTH013 Engage respectfully with young people
CHCYTH014 Work effectively with young people in the youth work context
CHCYTH015 Support young people to create opportunities in their lives
CHCYTH016 Respond to critical situations
CHCYTH022 Provide services for the needs and circumstances of young people
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Certificate III first?: No. The register records no entry requirements for CHC40421, and many people enter it directly.
Why are fifteen of seventeen units core?: Because youth work has a defined practice base. Domestic and family violence, mental health, trauma informed care and mandatory reporting are all core — the qualification will not let a provider package those out.
Do I need a working with children check?: Yes, in every state and territory, and employers require it before placement. It is set by state legislation, not by the qualification.
Is this a counselling qualification?: No. It covers engaging with young people, running programs and responding to critical situations. Counselling has separate qualifications and professional requirements.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Placement usually applies.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

NSW

TAFE NSWRTO 90003

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275

Deliver and assess · QLD
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
WA

WA Dept of Training and Workforce DevelopmentRTO 52395

Deliver and assess · WA
NSW

Open CollegesRTO 90796

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Strategix Training GroupRTO 31418

Deliver and assess · National
VIC

WISE Employment LtdRTO 6653

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

SKILLS GENERATION PTY LTDRTO 41008

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Workers Educational Association - HunterRTO 90020

Deliver and assess · NSW
QLD

Worklinks QLD LtdRTO 30622

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

National College of AustraliaRTO 45361

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

St George & Sutherland Community College IncRTO 7091

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 49 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

More in Community Services

Other qualifications in the CHC training package, nearest level first.

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Certificate IV in Youth Work

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