Diploma of Community Services
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 course includes a mix of delivery methods, such as face-to-face class time, online work, project work and industry experience (work placement).
Midyear Web Sessions
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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.
Duration
18 months full-time (standard delivery: August intakes)
Intakes
Workplace (August) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Workplace Training
VTAC course codes
- 3400211334
Hawthorn (fee type determined by provider) - 3401011334
Wantirna (fee type determined by provider) - 3400111334
Croydon (fee type determined by provider)
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Study this course for free in 2020
You could have your tuition fees covered in 2020 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative.
You may be eligible 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.
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!
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
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 is on-campus classes combined with work placement. Current work placement is 400 hours over the course duration.
Workplace or employer delivery is structured to suit those already employed in the community services sector. Study is delivered on-line, supported by compulsory monthly Saturday workshops at Hawthorn campus. Students will undertake practical assessment within their workplace.
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
Free TAFE! You could have your tuition fees for this course covered in 2020 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. Find out about your eligibility for Free TAFE.
A VET Student Loan is available for this course – allowing you to defer part of your fees if you're eligible.
Please note: The maximum VET Student Loan amount for this course is $15,793. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
Diploma of Community ServicesEstimated course fees for 2020* |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| For students who are granted a Free TAFE place | For students who are granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | For students who are not granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do not receive a VET Student Loan | Fully covered | $8,400 | $17,010 |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan | Fully covered | Fully Covered | $1,217 |
If you’re deemed eligible, you could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
This course is delivered with state government funding.
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