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Would you like your career to make a difference? Are you keen to support and strengthen your community? 

A job in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector might be right for you.

Alcohol and other drug use can lead to injury and illness. It can also impact relationships. The good news is that there are compassionate and skilled workers here in Western Australia (WA) who are committed to changing these outcomes.

There is a high demand for workers with a diverse range of skills to support individuals, families and communities either directly or indirectly. 

So, whether you’re looking at entry-level roles, or to make a career change that matters, there are many rewarding, stable opportunities to make a meaningful contribution in the AOD sector.

Roles in the AOD sector exist within private, non-government and government services. Various AOD positions can be found across three key areas: reducing AOD supply, demand or harm. Some roles involve writing strategy or policy; others are about prevention and health promotion, like running education programs, events and campaigns; while others work directly with individuals, families or communities impacted by AOD use.¹

The AOD sector involves a wide range of clinical and community based roles.

Below is a selection of the key roles available – there are plenty of other speciality areas that a

career pathway in the AOD sector may take you, such as a nurse practitioner with a specialisation in addiction, strategic planning and policy roles, research, management and education. 

TAFE and Registered Training Organisations (RTO) provide accredited training that meets industry skill requirements. A Skill Set, short course, or Certificate II can help you learn a new skill. A Certificate III or Certificate IV can give you an intermediate level qualification and are required for some roles in the AOD sector. These may then be a pathway to a Diploma. A Diploma can make you eligible for a more highly skilled job and may be a pathway to a university course. Some of these qualifications can be completed as part of a traineeship or apprenticeship.

Below are the potential vocational courses related to AOD. Addiction Studies and human service qualifications are also available at universities through undergraduate courses, majors and postgraduate study.

To find out which WA TAFE College or RTOs are offering these qualifications near you, visit Jobs and Skills WA and search for the course that you are interested in.

Whether you're looking for a job, thinking about a career change, or upskilling for your own development, now's the time to prepare. You can choose from a full qualification with course fees reduced by half or more, or a wide range of free short courses to get you job ready.

Visit Jobs and Skills WA to find out more.

Successful applicants attend weekly training sessions for 20 weeks while learning counselling skills taught by specialists in the AOD sector, and related fields. Volunteers are then placed within an AOD agency for approximately 12 months where they volunteer for a minimum of four hours each week. Experienced counsellors provide ongoing supervision during this period.

Job opportunities are advertised online, check out some of the places below to start your search.

WA Government 

jobs board 

(use the search filters)

Jobs and Skills WA 

jobs board

Ethical Jobs 

(specialised in community service and support work)

SEEK

WA Government 

jobs board 

(use the search filters)

Be direct. Most of the AOD service providers operating in WA advertise job opportunities on their website or socials. Make a list of the organisations you're interested in and apply for jobs directly through their website.

Jobs and Skills Centres (JSC) are located across regional and metropolitan WA. An experienced careers specialist at your local JSC can offer advice and support on career planning, job-specific information, and decision making, helping you choose the best AOD career pathway. All services are free.

Call your local JSC on 13 64 64 or find your nearest JSC and drop in for a chat.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of our State and its waters. The Commission wishes to pay its respects to Elders both past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples seeing this message.

We recognise the individual and collective expertise of those with a living or lived experience of alcohol and other drugs issues. We recognise their vital contribution at all levels and value the courage of those who share this unique perspective for the purpose of learning and growing together to achieve better outcomes for all.

[1] The Australian government’s national drug strategy has a three pillared approach to addresses AOD related harm, they include reducing supply, reducing demand and reducing harm.

Photo credits WA Department of Health.

Last updated: November 2024