Employment and training snapshot
The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is the largest employing industry in Australia. In 2019 there were close to 1.7 million people employed in this industry, which is projected to increase to over 1.9 million by 2024. 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 2000 and is projected to increase further up until 2024. Child Care Services is projected to increase from 149,700 employees in 2019 to 165,900 by 2024. Preschool Education is projected to increase from 69,200 employees in 2019 to 75,000 by 2024.
There were approximately 332,890 program enrolments in Community Services-related qualifications in 2018. Enrolments have declined overall between 2015 and 2018. Program completions have fluctuated between 2015 and 2018, with an overall decline in completions across the period. In 2018 there were approximately 95,290 completions. Subject only enrolments increased between 2015 and 2017, peaking at just over 47,870 in 2017, before declining to approximately 43,940 in 2018.
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.