Refuge Worker (DAMA only)

Qualifications can be one of the following:

1. A relevant Certificate IV or higher with a specialisation in community, child or youth services, welfare, social work or counselling,

or

2. A relevant qualification (non-specialised): A relevant qualification related to community services and comparable to AQF Certificate IV or higher.

A relevant qualification has a focus on providing community and human services and will typically cover:

• sociology; social, political, economic structures and function
• social policy, human development and function including psychological, physical and social aspects
• general and specialised welfare services and systems
• work with individuals, families, groups and communities
• communication, basic counselling and interpersonal skills
• additional subjects which could include disability services, mental health, child development, social justice, child protection, mental health, case management, group theory, drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, psychology, youth work, working with children and families, community development, juvenile justice, family violence.

Please note:

• In instances where an applicant has used recognition of prior learning (RPL) to gain credit towards their qualification, Community Work Australia will accept a maximum of 40% RPL otherwise the qualification will not be recognised. For all VET qualifications, RPL is clearly detailed in a USI VET transcript, which may be requested for assessment. Additionally, if an applicant has received RPL towards their qualification, Community Work Australia will require supporting documents issued by the education provider which clearly evidence how RPL was assessed and approved. If RPL was awarded on the basis of unsuitable work experience or study, Community Work Australia reserves the right not to accept the qualification for skills assessment purposes.
• Some courses do not contain the breadth of core content required to prepare graduates for practice e.g., graduate certificates and graduate diplomas. These qualifications must follow a relevant undergraduate or additional related qualification, otherwise they will not be considered sufficient.
• Community Work Australia will not accept qualifications which are unduly short. Unduly short qualifications do not provide students with sufficient time to gain the required skills and knowledge.

Employment

Employment in the industry is defined as paid employment which involves the provision of direct service to clients at an individual, group, family, or community level. It is employment within the past 5 years, pre-qualification or post-qualification, and must be at an appropriate skill level.

1. Applicants must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) industry experience within the last 5 years.

Currency

Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and skills are up to date in one of the following ways:

• Hold a relevant qualification which was completed within the past 4 years; or
• Have at least 12 months of relevant employment in the last 5 years.

• ANZSCO 423411 Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant
• ANZSCO 423412 Hostel Parent
• ANZSCO 4117 Welfare Support Workers
• ANZSCO 1413 Hotel and Motel Managers

These occupations are elsewhere classified in ANZSCO.

• Have at least one (1) year (full-time or part-time equivalent) of relevant work experience for the Skills in Demand (formerly TSS) subclass 482 visa programs;
• Have at least two (2) years (full-time or part-time equivalent) of relevant work experience for the SESR subclass 494 and ENS subclass 186 visa programs where the nominated worker (the skills assessment applicant) will be living and working in Regional Western Australia;
• Have at least three (3) years (full-time or part-time equivalent) of relevant work experience for the SESR subclass 494 and ENS subclass 186 visa programs where the nominated worker (the skills assessment applicant) will be living and working in Metropolitan Perth.