From education to youth work, Rugare has spent her career supporting young people to feel seen, safe, and capable. Here's her story, and her advice for anyone considering the same path.

Youth workers support young Australians through homelessness, mental health and more. Explore roles, qualifications, pay rates and career pathways.

Traditional labour hire models often focus on short-term shift filling. But when you’re supporting young people with complex needs, a reactive approach simply isn’t enough. Here’s how partnering with Edmen delivers something better.

Become a youth worker in Australia in 2026. Learn how to study a Cert IV in Youth Work, course costs, timeframes, and where to train.

Discover how assessment centres help match skilled youth and disability support workers with clients, ensuring empathy, professionalism, and safe, consistent care on every shift.

Being a casual disability or youth support worker gives you flexibility, variety, and the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. To help you succeed and enjoy your role, here are some practical tips and advice.

Happy New Year! We hope your holidays have been filled with sunshine, good company and well-deserved rest. While January is still very much summer here in Australia, it’s the perfect time to reflect on enjoying these long summer days safely , especially as many of our youth and disability workers head out into the community or support clients in a range of environments. Here are some essential summer safety reminders - whether you’re heading to the beach, organising outdoor activities, working in the heat or just making the most of summer fun. Stay Cool & Hydrated Warm weather makes being outdoors so inviting but high temperatures can be dangerous if we aren’t careful. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can affect anyone, but especially those working outdoors or with additional care needs. Tips to stay cool and healthy: Drink plenty of water throughout the day - don’t wait until you’re thirsty! Take regular breaks in the shade or indoors, especially between 11 am – 3 pm when temperatures peak. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and a hat to help your body regulate heat. Use fans or air-conditioning if available or seek cool public spaces like libraries or community centres. Water Safety Matters Many Australians use summer to swim, fish, paddle or enjoy rivers and the beach - and while water brings joy, it also brings risk. Water safety tips: Always swim between the flags at patrolled beaches and obey warnings. Never swim alone. Make sure someone else knows where you are. Avoid alcohol near water - it can impair judgement and reaction times. Know basic water rescue principles and CPR - it could save a life. Whether you’re supervising clients or spending time with family and friends, keeping a close eye on water safety is key to a fun and incident-free summer. Protect Your Skin Australia’s UV levels are among the highest in the world - and you don’t need to be at the beach to get sun damage.  Sun protection essentials: Use SPF50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply every two hours. Slip on protective clothing, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, and Slide on sunglasses - the SunSmart 5 S’s. Keep sunscreen and shade/umbrellas handy when out in the community or at outdoor events. This helps protect everyone’s skin but it’s especially important for people with disability or those who may be more vulnerable to heat and UV effects. Plan Ahead & Look Out for Each Other Summer isn’t just sunshine and surf - it can bring heatwaves and intense weather. Preparing ahead can make all the difference: Check weather forecasts before scheduling outdoor work or activities. Build regular check-ins into your day - especially for clients who live alone or are at risk of heat-related illness. Make sure everyone has access to water, shade and a plan for cooling down if it gets too hot. Looking out for one another is something that connects deeply with our work in youth and disability support and there’s no better time to practise it than during summer’s hottest weeks. Have Fun - Just Be Safe! We want you and your networks to make the most of these long, bright days ahead. Whether it’s community events, outings with clients or teaching new skills under the sun, enjoying summer responsibly keeps everyone happier and healthier. Wishing you all a safe, fun and fulfilling start to 2026!

Discover how youth workers can help children in out-of-home care navigate Christmas with empathy, empowering activities, family support and festive planning.

What the New Social Media Rules Mean for Young People And How We Can Support Them Australia has introduced a new law that means children and young people under 16 can’t have social media accounts on big platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X and others. From 10 December 2025, these platforms must take steps to stop under-16s from having accounts or face big fines. The idea is to protect young people from some of the risks that can happen online, like cyberbullying, harmful content and addictive use. But this big change can also affect the wellbeing and social lives of the young people we work with. It’s important we understand what it means and how we can support them. What's Changing? ✔ Under-16s won’t be able to have accounts on many major social media apps. ✔ Platforms must try to check users’ ages and remove or block under-16 accounts. ✔ Young people can still view some public content without an account, but can’t post, comment or use the apps as before. ✔ There are no fines or legal penalties for young people or their families. The law is about the platforms doing the work. What Young People Might Feel This is a big shift, and many young people will feel frustrated, upset or anxious about it. Social media is how a lot of teens connect with their friends, communities, interests and support networks - especially for groups who might already feel isolated, such as rural youth or LGBTIQA+ young people. Some young people may: Feel cut off from friends or peer groups Be angry or in denial about the changes Try to find workarounds to stay connected Be confused about what the rules actually mean It’s normal for them to have strong feelings about this. What This Means for the Young People We Support As youth and disability workers, we might see: 📌 Changes in how young people communicate with each other 📌 Feelings of loss, loneliness or worry about missing out 📌 Increased pressure to stay connected in other ways 📌 Confusion about what they can and cannot do online Some young people will cope well, others might struggle more without their usual online spaces. What We Can Do to Help Here are some simple and practical ways we can support young people during this time: 1. Talk and Listen Give them space to talk about how they feel about the changes. Let them know their feelings are valid - this is a big shift in their world. 2. Help Them Understand the Rules Clarify that the change affects accounts, not the person. They don’t get into trouble for accessing content without an account, but they won’t be able to interact in the same way. Reinforce that there are no legal penalties for them or their families 3. Support Alternatives Help young people find other ways to connect and build positive socialisation, like: Face-to-face meetups Group activities (sport, clubs, classes) Extra support programs or services Safe online spaces that aren’t blocked (Messenger, WhatsApp- Check eSafety Site FAQs to discover more) 4. Watch for Emotional Impacts Some young people may feel sad, anxious, isolated or angry . Pay attention to these feelings and: Offer emotional support Encourage healthy routines (sleep, exercise, offline hobbies) Connect them with mental health support if needed 5. Reinforce Online Safety Use this time as an opportunity to help young people with practical tools and trusted online safety information. A great resource to share with them is the eSafety Commissioner’s “Young People” page: 🔗 eSafety – Young People - https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people This page has useful information to help stay safe online, including topics young people care about like online behaviour, respectful communication, cyberbullying, privacy, and how to get help if something goes wrong online. You can encourage them to explore this page on their own or use it as a discussion tool when talking about online life — even without social media access. In Summary This new social media change is big news both nationally and for the young people in our communities. While the law is meant to protect young people, it may also bring big feelings and challenges that we need to support. The most important things we can do are: ❤️ Listen openly ❤️ Explain clearly ❤️ Help them find connection and support in safe ways Together, we can help the young people we work with feel heard, understood and supported through this time of change.

Meet Jaime, a Youth Support Worker with Edmen, foster mum, and step-parent. Inspired by her personal experiences with child safety, Jaime transitioned from a career in sales and marketing to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work. In this interview, she shares her journey into youth work, the rewards and challenges of the role, and how Edmen’s support has helped her thrive. Tell us a bit about yourself. My name is Jaime, and I work as a Youth Support Worker with Edmen. I’m also a foster mum and step-parent. What were you doing before becoming a youth worker? I was working in sales and marketing, but I’m also currently studying for my Bachelor of Social Work. I’m just about to finish my first year. What inspired you to become a youth worker? I have personal experience with child safety and supporting children. That led me to start my social work degree, which then introduced me to residential care. I wanted to make a difference, even in the small, day-to-day moments of a young person’s life. Being a foster parent and a step-parent, as well as going through the family court process, gave me firsthand insight into the challenges young people face. It really motivated me to give back and support kids who need care, guidance, and stability. What made you choose Edmen and how has your experience been so far? A friend from uni had worked with Edmen before and spoke really highly of them. When I found the job on SEEK, I reached out to her, and she reassured me about the level of support Edmen provides. The recruitment process was smooth and fast, and they were really understanding about my study commitments. Since onboarding, I’ve found the communication great, and getting shifts has been straightforward. Can you walk through a typical day at work? I often describe it as being like a “house mum.” You arrive, check in with the young person about their night or their day so far, and talk about anything on their mind—maybe a family visit or something important happening in their life. Then, you support them with whatever they need—whether that’s going shopping, doing an activity, or just hanging out at home. I’ve done everything from playing board games and arts and crafts to trips to theme parks. You also prepare meals and provide a stable, supportive presence. One day they might be full of energy and want to go out, while the next they just want to relax. The key is to listen, be flexible, and support them however they need. You don’t always know what they’ve been through, so you focus on making the present moment a safe and positive one. What’s your favourite part of your job? Seeing how excited they are when I arrive. They love sharing what’s happening in their life, planning things to do together, and just spending time with me. Watching them grow, develop new skills, and gain confidence is really rewarding. Knowing I’m making a positive impact—whether it’s teaching life skills or just being a trusted person in their life—makes it all worthwhile. On the flip side, what's the most challenging part of the job? Sometimes it’s hard not to want to “fix” everything for them. You have empathy and want to help in every way possible, but your role is to support, not solve. I also struggle with not wanting to take them all home with me! That’s a big reason why I’m pursuing social work—I want to expand my ability to make a difference. Do you have any advice for people wanting to become youth workers? It’s an amazing and rewarding job, but it does have its challenges. My biggest advice is to take care of yourself while also focusing on building strong connections with the young people you support. Those relationships are the most important part of the job, and they fill your cup quickly when you see the impact you’re having. How do you find the support at Edmen? It’s been really good. There’s always someone available when you need help—whether it’s 1AM or 1PM. You’re never left waiting too long for an answer, and they encourage you to reach out if you’re unsure about something. If a situation doesn’t feel right, they’ll work with you to make adjustments. Ready to make a difference? Check out our open Youth Worker positions today and start your journey with the Edmen team!

In our latest instalment of Day in the Life, we sat down with Edmen Youth Worker, Kiley, to hear about her journey from corporate life to making a difference in the lives of young people. With just a few months in the role, Kiley shares what inspired her career change, the rewarding moments that make the hard work worthwhile, and her advice for anyone considering youth work.

In our latest Day in the Life feature, we sit down with Stephen, one of Edmen’s Youth Support Workers, to discuss what his job is really like. Hear why he chose a career supporting young people and learn about his recent experience helping a young person reunite with their family.

In our latest installment of Day in the Life, we sat down with Edmen Youth Support Worker, Dolly to chat about how she balances work with being a student and a mum. Hear why she decided to change careers and why supporting at-risk kids is something she doesn't regret. Tell us a bit about yourself I am brand new into youth work. I've been doing it for a month now and it's quite a change from what I used to doing. I'm still in TAFE and I'm a wife and a mother, so I have a very busy life. But it was time for a career change and to do something meaningful. And that's why I got into youth work. What were you doing before you started youth work? I was manufacturing. I was in a factory building security screens and doors. Very, very different [from youth work]. I did that for a few years. I enjoyed that, but it was just not quite what I wanted to be doing with my life. And I wanted to do something that my family would be proud of me for. How is Edmen supporting you while you study? So I needed to do placement for my certificate IV, which was really hard. Most places want someone with experience, and Edmen's Kickstart Program allowed me to get a job and earn while I was studying basically. It's been really amazing so far. What does a typical day at work look like? It can vary. So when I first started with the young person I'm currently working with, she wasn't in school so our days were very busy. She's a very go, go, go girl; she just loves to be doing something all the time. So generally she would spend a little bit of time at placement in the morning and then we would go out and we would do two to three different activities, like swimming and going to parks, or going to like little nature places to see animals. When we go back to placement, she's still just on the go so it's playing out in the backyard or playing games like hide and seek. A typical day can vary generally. There are no two days the same, but you're just helping them live, learn how to be themselves and communicate and making sure that their everyday needs are met and beyond. We need to make sure that when they leave us, they can continue those skills on and grow and learn. How do you balance work, study and being a mum? Generally I'm working about four or five, five days a week. So I do have to fit that in. Thankfully, I'm only at TAFE for one day a week, but I'm learning that I need to ask for help. I typically don’t do that. I like to try and handle everything myself and just power through it, but I'm learning that I need to balance it out. I need to ask for help from family and friends if I can't manage everything. But thankfully Edmen is really fantastic. If it is too much, I can ask them to drop me back a little bit and just give me some time to recuperate and they will do it. It's really wonderful. What are your favourite moments as a Youth Worker? It's the little moments with my young person where we are one on one and I can really see her shine and come out and we just bond. I know it sounds strange, but I love insects and so does she. And so we will spend honestly hours in the backyard just looking for bugs. And it's when she's just herself. And she can be herself. It's those quiet little moments where we just bond, they're my favourite moments. Any advice for people thinking about becoming a youth worker? Go with Edmen. Edmen has been the best place to start. It's fantastic. They are so wonderful and helpful. And also, just challenge yourself. Ask for help. The team with Edmen are fantastic. Every time we do have a troubling shift, we get the phone calls, the follow ups to make sure that we're okay. They're offering their support. So reach out if you need it, don't overwhelm yourself, and just do it is my advice. I thought about this for a long time and I'm so glad I've finally done it now because it's rewarding. You can see that you're making a difference and, yeah, I'm loving it. So just do it, ask for help and keep an open mind. Ready to take the jump and kickstart your career as a Youth Worker? Check out our open roles today and apply to join the Edmen crew!

Meet Shady, a dedicated Youth Support Worker with a passion for making a difference in young people's lives. In this interview, shares insights into his career, highlighting moments that he finds most rewarding. He also discusses the perks of his work, including the opportunity for professional growth and development. Tell us a bit about yourself I’m a Youth Support Worker in Adelaide, South Australia. I’ve been working in the field for over 3 years now for a few different organisations. Why did you choose to join Edmen? I decided to join Edmen due to the fact it’s a bigger organisation, the pay rate is better and there’s a good amount of work. They also have a referral policy so if you refer people to work with Edmen you get rewarded, which is a perk. Generally speaking, it’s a good place. People are professional and they support their staff where it's needed. There is plenty of work and options when it comes to work. Why did you become a youth worker? I’ve been involved with kids for most of my life. I teach music and coach junior basketball. Plus in church, I volunteer to help with kids’ camps. About 3 years ago it struck me why don’t I make this a job. So I did the research, got the qualifications and became a youth worker. How old are the kids you support? It varies. With Edmen I don’t have a specific placement or residential house I work in, so I get sent to a number of different houses. The youngest person I’ve supported was 9 and the oldest was 17. How long have you been working with Edmen? I’ve just hit the 6 month mark. Chat to us about your recent deployment to Mt Gambier I recently got deployed to go to Mt Gambier which was a fun experience. I was sent there to support a young people who is in residential care with one of Edmen’s client organisations. I got a call from my Service Coordinator, who asked if I was interested and explained how the pay and allowances would work. Mt Gambier looked really nice so I went and it ended up being a very good time. The city itself is chill, quite small and quiet and I had the chance to see some sights in my free time like the Blue Lake. During my 4 days in Mt Gambier, I was working day shifts and passive nights and was staying at the placement or residential facility. The young person I was supporting loved fishing, so we drove a couple of times to Port McDonald and spent a few hours crabbing there which was a lot of fun. What do you like most about being a Youth Worker? Engaging with the young people and doing activities with them. I enjoy helping them with daily tasks like school, homework, gym or training. Even like cooking together and gaming, it’s a diverse job that changes day-to-day. Can you run us through a typical day at work It depends on the shift, you can have a day, afternoon or night shift. Night shifts can be active or passive. Generally speaking, if it’s a day shift, you turn up really early when most likely the young people are still asleep. If it’s a school day, you start by preparing their school lunch boxes and checking that their uniforms are ready. Then it’s time to wake the kids up, arrange breakfast, then drop them off at school. While the young people are at school, we’ll go back to the placement and do some house chores and get prepared for the afternoon shift. After school, our duties include helping with homework, cooking dinner, getting the kids to sport training or to any appointments. After that, it’s time to prepare the young people for bedtime. If it’s a school holiday, the routine is obviously different. They might stay at home or go out and do an activity, but as the youth worker, we still help plan the day. Do you have any highlights or standout moments as a Youth Support Worker? For me, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is the mentoring that’s involved and imparting general life advice and knowledge. This happens a lot. For example, when we go shopping, I ask the young person to pay so they can understand about money and develop their numeracy skills. When we go grocery shopping, I ask them to help do the meal planning with me. These are everyday tasks where there are little moments throughout the day where I can see I’ve made an impact in developing their life skills. What’s your favourite thing about working with Edmen? The pay rate is good. The app that we use to make ourselves available or unavailable to work is efficient. There are also some great opportunities to be had, like my recent trip to Mt Gambier, and the refer a friend policy is great. What’s the hardest part of your job? The challenging behaviour of some of the young people. That’s something that you’re always dealing with as part of the job, but with sufficient training this can be overcome. Most of the organisations, including Edmen provide training on how to deal with these situations. Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about becoming a Youth Support Worker? Go for it. It’s great and such a rewarding career. Pay attention to the training and follow the advice of your manager. Ready to make the jump and join Edmen? Check out our open Youth Support Worker roles and apply today.

We sat down with Edmen Youth Support Worker, Precious, to chat about what he gets up to in a typical day at work supporting young people at the Department of Child Protection in South Australia. Read on to hear what he has to say about his job, what made him pursue a career in youth work with Edmen and why he doesn't look back.

Introducing Monica, Edmen's Youth Worker

In our latest installment of Day in the Life, we sat down with Edmen Disability Support Worker, Eunice. We chat about how she first got into the sector, what she loves most about working with Edmen and get her advice for others thinking about a career in disability support.

We sat down to chat with Dele, about his career change from teacher to Youth Support Worker.