Diploma of Community Services
The Diploma of Community Services provides students with the knowledge and skills to work in the community services sector in residential and community settings. Students will learn how to provide a holistic approach to client needs, including social, emotional, psychological, and practical support.
The course includes a mix of delivery methods, such as face-to-face class time, online work, project work and industry experience (work placement).
This course may be undertaken on-campus or in a workplace training mode, which may be suited to those currently employed in the community services sector.
Students will need to successfully complete work placements, for which they will be required to hold a current Police Check and a current Working with Children Check.
The Hawthorn campus delivery of Diploma of Community Services (Case management specialisation) is accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) and requires 400 hours of work placement while studying. The Wantirna and Croydon campus delivery are not ACWA accredited and work placement will include a minimum of 100 hours. However, students will have the option to complete another 100 hours of placement for extra experience.
For those already employed in the community services sector, we offer a workplace delivery model of the Diploma of Community Services at our Hawthorn Campus. This is not ACWA accredited.
Students may be required to attend other campuses from time to time for events and other course engagements.
This Free TAFE course is in high demand. Apply early for a better chance of securing your place in it. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the next intake.
Finalise your VTAC preferences
Get confident in your preferences with our Change of Preference Expo, campus and accommodation tours, one-on-one appointments, advice from real students and more. Show me
Duration
18 months full-time (standard delivery: March and August intakes); 1 year Workplace or Employer delivery (for those currently employed in the community services sector: February and August intakes). Workplace or Employer delivery is online and supported with compulsory monthly Saturday workshops at Hawthorn campus.
Intakes
Croydon (March, August)
Hawthorn (March, August)
Wantirna (March, August) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Workplace Training
VTAC course code
- 3400211334
Hawthorn (fee type determined by provider)
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
VR, Mixed Reality and Simulated Scenarios – All In A Day’s Study
Ever imagined yourself holding up an augmented reality heart in class? Or using virtual reality to learn about the human skeleton? What about practising your skills on actors mimicking clients with mental health issues? It’s all in a day’s study when you choose a diploma or certificate in nursing, health or community services at Swinburne!
Study this course for free in 2023
You could have your tuition fees covered in 2023 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available if you are under 20 years old, or enrolling in a course at a higher level than you have completed before.
If you don't tick either of these boxes, you could still have a chance! There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Course structure
Units of study
Develop workplace communication strategies (CHCCOM003)
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services (CHCDEV002)
Manage and promote diversity (CHCDIV003)
Manage legal and ethical compliance (CHCLEG003)
Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes (CHCMGT005)
Reflect on and improve own professional practice (CHCPRP003)
Manage workplace health and safety (HLTWHS004)
Standard classroom-based delivery at Wantirna and Croydon Campus:
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
- family support worker
- group facilitator
- case worker or manager
- pastoral care counsellor
- client service assessor
- community services worker
- family violence support worker
- program coordinator or manager
- migrant resource and support worker
- juvenile justice worker
- child protection worker
- mental health support worker
Aims and objectives
Professional recognition
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Fees for 2022
A VET Student Loan is available for this course – allowing you to defer part of your fees if you're eligible.
The maximum VET Student Loan amount for this course is $16,221. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
Diploma of Community ServicesEstimated course fees for 2022* |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| For students who are not granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | For students who are granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | Is this a Free TAFE course? | |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do not receive a VET Student Loan | $17,700 | $8,940 | Yes |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan | $1,479 | Fully Covered | Yes |
You could have your tuition fees covered thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Find out if you’re eligible for a fee concession here.
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 1,355.
Fees for 2023
A VET Student Loan is available for this course – allowing you to defer part of your fees if you're eligible.
The maximum VET Student Loan amount for this course is $16,366. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
Diploma of Community ServicesEstimated course fees for 2023* |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| For students who are not granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | For students who are granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | Is this a Free TAFE course? | |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do not receive a VET Student Loan | $17,700 | $8,940 | Yes |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan | $1,334 | Fully Covered | Yes |
You could have your tuition fees covered thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Find out if you’re eligible for a fee concession here.
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 1,355.
Entry requirements
Non school leavers without formal qualifications are welcome to apply.
- All applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old at the commencement of the course
- All students must hold a current Working with Children Check throughout the duration of the program
- All students must hold a current Police Check throughout the duration of the program* (* If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for work within the community services environment).
- At least 12 months experience working in the community services sector.
*Applicants need to provide evidence with their application - please submit your current Resume/CV - Currently employed in the community services sector for a minimum of 21 hours per week.
*Applicants need to provide evidence with their application - please submit a letter from your current employer confirming this
*Please note, documents substantiating work experience need to be provided on company letterhead and clearly detail current employment duration and number of hours per week worked.
How to apply
View the Informed Choices statement, which provides information about the inherent requirements of community services, specifically the essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks, professional placements and progress to a career in this field. This information is intended to assist you to choose whether you can successfully participate in and complete a course.
Find out more
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059