Diploma of Community Services

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National code: CHC52015 Diploma (TAFE) Croydon, Hawthorn, Wantirna Send me a link to this course

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 credit, or to be considered for the ACWA-accredited Hawthorn campus course.

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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, August)
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 course allows you to pathway to another qualification.

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

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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 classroom 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 classroom 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, either for extra experience, or to be considered to join the ACWA accredited Diploma of Community Services delivered at Hawthorn campus.

When considering either of these course delivery options, please refer to the following for further information:

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

To gain the Diploma of Community Services qualification, students must complete and be deemed competent in 16 units (eight core and eight elective units).

Units of study

Core units

Develop and implement service programs (CHCCCS007)
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:

Workplace or Employer delivery at Hawthorn Campus (for those currently employed in the community services sector)

(Both courses are non-accredited with ACWA)

Elective units

Provide advocacy representation services (CHCADV002)

Assess co-existing needs (CHCCCS004)

Implement community development strategies (CHCCDE011)

Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management (CHCCSM005)

Confirm client developmental status (CHCDEV001)

Identify and provide initial response to family violence risk (VU22733)

Implement trauma informed care (CHCMHS013)

Establish and confirm the counselling relationship (CHCCSL001)

Standard classroom-based delivery at Hawthorn Campus

(This course is accredited with ACWA and has the Case Management specialisation)

Elective units

Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management (CHCCSM005)

Assess co-existing needs (CHCCCS004)

Establish and confirm the counselling relationship (CHCCSL001)

Implement community development strategies (CHCCDE011)

Confirm client developmental status (CHCDEV001)

Coordinate complex case requirements (CHCCSM004)

Provide case management supervision (CHCCSM006)

Undertake case management in a child protection framework (CHCCSM007)

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

Employment may be found in a range of community service and welfare organisations including positions such as:

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

The course aims to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and values to perform competently as a professional community services worker.

Professional recognition

The Diploma of Community Services (standard classroom-based delivery only) is accredited through the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). On successful completion of the qualification, students may apply for membership.

Pathways and scholarships

- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.

Scholarships

At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Find out more about scholarships.

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Successful completion of Diploma of Community Services allows you to progress to these courses	Maximum amount of credit available
Bachelor of Arts	8 units
Bachelor of Media and Communication	8 units

This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

Learn more about pathways.

Credit

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.

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.

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 Services Estimated course fees for 2021*
*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

Estimated 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

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2020 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Free TAFE Government-subsidised place
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 course is delivered with state government funding.

Skills First Government-subsidised place
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.

Concession rates for vocational students
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.

Full course fee
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.

Find out more about fees.

Entry requirements

Applicants require a minimum of completion of Year 12 or equivalent and be at least 18 years of age.

Additional requirements:

The following additional criteria for entry apply for this course:

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)

Workplace or Employer delivery (for those currently employed in the community services sector)

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 about how to apply.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE

Email: study@swinburne.edu.au

Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059