Diploma of Community Services

Students are required to complete 200 hours of vocational placement to satisfy the vocational placement component of the qualification. Completing placement is compulsory for this course.

Students can only be placed once they have successfully completed a Federal Police Check and the Working with Children Check (Blue Card application). Depending on the placement organisation, students may also be required to undertake influenza vaccination and additional vaccinations. Any additional fees are at the student's own cost.

Applicants must meet one of the following English proficiency requirements: IELTS 5.0; completion of CCEB Upper Intermediate level; B2 Level of CEFR – Common European Framework; or, in the 2 years before applying for the student visa, completion in Australia and in the English language of either the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or a substantial component of a course leading to an AQF qualification at Certificate IV or higher level while holding a student visa.

The course is delivered over 40 tuition weeks plus term breaks via blended delivery, combining interactive/face-to-face classes, guided research, class group activities, theory research tutorials, project work and research, and independent learning. Classes are rostered for 3 days per week plus a self-study component, with a minimum of 20 scheduled course contact hours per week for overseas students.

A range of assessments are employed depending on the nature of the unit of competency. These include demonstrations, observations, projects, presentations, knowledge tests, reports and interviews.