Course Overview

About This Course

This qualification reflects the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities. At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management. Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination. To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 2 blocks of 200 hours of work placement. The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Requirements

Learners must be a minimum age of 18 years or above at the time of course commencement.
Applicants should have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or an international secondary school year which is equivalent to Australian Year 12) with satisfactory results, OR successful completion of a recognised Foundation Studies program in Australia, OR successful completion of the international Baccalaureate Certificate, OR successful completion of an Australian qualification of AQF level 5. An educational achievement which is greater than any of these is also suitable.
Applicants must provide evidence of completion of the International English Language Testing system (IELTS Test), either Academic (A) or General (G) band 6 overall, or its equivalent completed within 2 years from the application date.
Equivalent English proficiency test scores accepted: CELPIP General: Overall band score of 7 | IELTS Academic: Average band score of 6.0 | IELTS General Training: Average band score of 6.0 | LANGUAGECERT Academic Test: Overall band score of 61 | Michigan English Test: Overall band score of 53 | Occupational English Test: Overall band score of 1210 | Pearson Test of English Academic: Overall band score of 47 | TOEFL iBT: Total band score of 67.
Or: The completion of IELTS Academic or General band 5.5 and 10 weeks of ELICOS; or the completion of IELTS Academic or General band 5.0 and 20 weeks of ELICOS.
Students may be exempt from English requirements if they have: a minimum five (5) years of study in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Britain, America, South Africa or Ireland; are a citizen of and hold a passport issued by the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland; completed in Australia (within the past 2 years) in English a substantial component (at least 70%) of a qualification at AQF level 4 or higher; successfully completed in Australia (within the past 2 years) the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in English; or completed an ELICOS program from a CRICOS institution and achieved an upper intermediate English level or equivalent within 2 years from the application date.
Applicants must also provide documentation according to Department of Home Affairs requirements.
All international learners will undertake a pre-training review to determine suitability for the course and student needs.
All students will be required to complete an LLND evaluation prior to enrolment.
Students will be required to make a declaration that there is no reason to their knowledge that they would not be able to obtain an Australian National Police Clearance without disclosure.
Influenza vaccinations are required annually by 15 August for certain healthcare workers (mandatory for placement).
COVID-19 vaccinations and Working with Children Check (WWCC) are also required for certain healthcare workers (mandatory for placement).
All learners are expected to have access to a laptop or computer with Windows operating system and office application e.g. Microsoft Word for their own personal use.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Employment may include, but is not limited to: Family Support Worker, Community Services/Welfare Worker, Community Development Worker, Housing Support Worker, Child Protection Worker, Community Group Facilitator.

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units20 units

CHCLEG003

Manage legal and ethical compliance

CHCDFV001

Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

HLTWHS003

Maintain work health and safety

Includes mandatory Work Placement components conducted in scheduled work placement hours.

CHCCCS007

Develop and implement service programs

CHCCSM017

Facilitate and review case management

CHCCCS019

Recognise and respond to crisis situations

CHCDIV001

Work with diverse people

CHCCCS004

Assess coexisting needs

CHCDIV002

Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

CHCDEV005

Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services

Includes mandatory Work Placement components conducted in scheduled work placement hours.

CHCPRP003

Reflect on and improve own professional practice

CHCMGT005

Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes

CHCCOM003

Develop workplace communication strategies

CHCDIV003

Manage and promote diversity

CHCCCS020

Respond effectively to behaviours of concern

CHCCCS003

Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide

CHCCDE027

Implement community development strategies

CHCCSL001

Establish and confirm the counselling relationship

CHCDEV004

Confirm client developmental status

Includes mandatory Work Placement components conducted in scheduled work placement hours.

CHCFAM003

Support people to improve relationships

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much work placement is required to complete the Diploma of Community Services?

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 2 blocks of 200 hours of work placement, for a total of at least 400 hours of work-based training.

What are the tuition fees for the Diploma of Community Services?

The tuition fee for the CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services is $20,000 AUD, with an additional enrolment fee of $250 AUD.

Can I get credit for previous study or work experience?

Yes. Learners may be able to reduce the number of units to be studied through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer. RPL applicants working in roles such as Case Manager, Community Development Officer, Youth Worker, NDIS Support Coordinator, Crisis Intervention Worker, or related positions may be eligible for RPL of up to eight (8) units, provided their relevant employment was undertaken within the previous 5 years and they can demonstrate a minimum of three (3) years of verified experience. Applications for both RPL and Credit Transfer must be made prior to the commencement of the course, and a fee applies.

Where is the Diploma of Community Services delivered, and what is the course duration?

The CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services is only available at the Collins Street Campus located at Level 5, 259 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000. The course is delivered in a classroom-based mode and has a duration of 104 weeks, including holidays.

What pathways are available after completing this diploma?

Students who complete this course may wish to continue their education into an Advanced Diploma, a Bachelor's degree, or a range of other community services qualifications.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

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Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

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Diploma of Community Services

About This Course

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

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