If you've always wanted to do more with your skills and expertise to make a difference in your community, working in the homelessness and housing sector could be the perfect pathway for you.

Right now, organisations across Queensland are working hard to support people experiencing unmet housing need and homelessness, and they need more skilled and passionate people like you to help them find safe and stable homes.

HomeNow is your first step to discovering a new rewarding and impactful career.

Role opportunity: Homelessness Intervention Worker

HART 4000

Fixed term, Part-Time. Brisbane

Be part of a dynamic team based in Fortitude Valley. 
Connect, refer and communicate with relevant support agencies to link people experiencing homelessness with the services they need.

Key attributes: Degree in Social Work and/or extensive experience in human services, excellent interpersonal, written and organisational skills.

Role Spotlight: Social Worker 

Each HomeNow update features a key role in the housing and homelessness sector. This time, we're focusing on Social Worker roles.

Social workers play a significant role in supporting people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and a background in the field can lead to a variety of different career paths and role types.

Social workers partner with people to address personal difficulties and structural barriers in their lives, including unmet housing need and homelessness. This work can involve supporting individual people, families, groups or working with a wider community. Often, social workers are supporting vulnerable people through very challenging and emotional situations, so key attributes that assist in being a social worker include:

• Empathy
• Good communication skills
• Respect
• Patience and understanding
• Strong organisational skills
• Resilience.

A degree or background in social work can lead to a whole range of different roles, work types and career paths, both on the frontline or in sector support roles:

• one-on-one counselling: working directly with individuals
• group work and community development: including those focused on health promotion, reducing social isolation, discussing shared experiences and age specific inclusivity such as older persons or adolescence groups
• advocacy: speaking with, and/or on behalf of people, including those experiencing family violence, housing stress, financial and legal issues
• policy: developing evidence-based policies to inform government legislation, social work practice and government/community services.

Source: AASW

Sound like a career that would suit you? The Australian Association of Social Workers website has a wealth of information, including study pathways and accredited courses. 
Ready to see where this career path could take you? Explore some of Queensland's housing and homelessness service providers on the HomeNow Opportunities page.

Did you know? The HomeNow team from project delivery partner Q Shelter presented at the International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health last week in Melbourne.

Their presentation Enhancing Workforce Wellbeing, Attraction, and Retention in the Housing and Homelessness Sector in Queensland on Friday 22 November spoke about the HomeNow campaign, encouraging more people to find a rewarding career in homelessnes and housing. They also presented on the WellNow workforce wellbeing framework project, which supports positive and healthy workplaces in the sector to foster staff resilience and retention.

Role opportunity: Homestay Case Manager

Encircle

Full-Time, fixed term. Brisbane North.

Support locals to sustain their tenancies and remain in their homes, and implement immediate brief intervention as required. Interventions include provision of information, advocacy, and referrals to relevant support services and resources.

About Encircle: Supporting people in the Moreton Bay and Brisbane North regions for 35 years and creating a culture where everyone can be their best, in an environment that values inclusion, diversity, and flexibility. View other opportunities at Encircle. 

Careers With Impact: Why People Choose Our Sector

When speaking with industry professionals about what motivated them to pursue their careers, it became clear that their drive is rooted in a desire for meaningful work and the opportunity to make a real difference. Whether it’s helping others, creating positive change, or working with passionate, like-minded individuals, their stories highlight how careers can go beyond just a job—they can have a lasting impact. 

"After more than 25 years in the Real Estate industry I wanted something more fulfilling on a personal level and to be able to give back. My current role has ticked that box in spades" - Trainer, Manager of Industry Relationship and Engagement

"I moved to this sector to help people, to do something worthwhile with my time and energy and to be surrounded by like-minded people working together with the same passion and energy." - Chief Executive Officer

"I wanted to do something worthwhile. Never did I imagine that I would meet and have opportunities to work with so many like-minded and driven people. It is wonderful to be a part of." - Capacity and Integration Manager.

Launch Your Career in Housing and Homelessness

There are so many pathways available to a rewarding and impactful career in Queensland's housing and homelessness sector, the opportunities are almost limitless. Whether you're interested in frontline support with a background in social work, or you're a creative looking to use your skills to make a difference—there's a place for you.

Check out real stories from our colleagues across Queensland's housing and homelessness sector in the video below.