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 Diploma of Community Services is accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), and requires over 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.
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.
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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)
Hawthorn (February, 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 low-fee or free in 2022
You could have some or all your tuition fees covered in 2022 thanks to government initiatives JobTrainer and Free TAFE for Priority Courses.
JobTrainer is available if you are 17-24 years or a job seeker of any age, impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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
The Diploma of Community Services is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding to work in the community services or welfare sector in service delivery to clients in a wide variety of settings.
Careers in community services or welfare work are both demanding and highly rewarding and those seeking to work in these sectors should enjoy working with people and understand the nature of social disadvantage. Desirable qualities are tolerance, empathy, flexibility and well developed interpersonal skills.
Swinburne prides itself on our connections with the community service industry and incorporates multiple opportunities for students to engage with workers and organisations across the sector through practical placement, field visits, guest speakers, industry forums and community support initiatives. The industry placement component enables students to link classroom theory and learning to the workplace.
Standard classroom delivery for full-time students includes on-campus classes combined with work placement.
Hawthorn Campus delivery is accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) which requires work placement of 400 hours over the course duration.
Wantirna and Croydon Campus delivery is not accredited with ACWA, therefore placement is a minimum of 100 hours over the course duration.
Students have the option of completing an extra 100 hours of placement for extra experience.
When considering either of these course delivery options, please refer to the following for further information:
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)
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
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
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 $16,077. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
Diploma of Community ServicesEstimated course fees for 2021* |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $8,740 | Yes |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan | $1,623 | 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 to Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders or Youth Concession students enrolled prior to 1 July 2012 and continuing the same course in 2013.
If you are not granted a government-subsidised place, you will be eligible for the full course fee. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 1,355.
Entry requirements
- Valid Working With Children Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to placements)
- Valid Police Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to placements)
- 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. 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
Find out more
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059