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.
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).
This course may be undertaken on-campus full- or part-time, or as a Workplace or Employer mode 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 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 full- or part-time, or as a Workplace or Employer mode suited to those currently employed in the community services sector.
Did you know? This course is part of the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. That means you could have your tuition fees covered in 2019. Awesome! Find out if you're eligible.
Duration
18 months full-time (standard delivery) or equivalent part-time (March and August intakes); 1 year Workplace or Employer delivery (for those currently employed in the community services sector, monthly intakes: February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December). Workplace or Employer delivery is online and supported with compulsory monthly Saturday workshops at Hawthorn campus.
Intakes
Hawthorn (March, August)
Online (February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December)
Wantirna (March) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Workplace Training,
- Part-time
VTAC course codes
- 3400211334
Hawthorn (fee type determined by provider) - 3401010544
Wantirna (fee type determined by provider)
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
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 is on-campus classes combined with work placement. Current work placement is 400 hours over the course duration. Part-time students will undertake a variation of this.
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.
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 is on-campus classes combined with work placement. Current work placement is 400 hours over the course duration. Part-time students will undertake a variation of this.
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)
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
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)
Plan and conduct group activities (CHCGRP002)
Implement trauma informed care (CHCMHS013)
Establish and confirm the counselling relationship (CHCCSL001)
Workplace or Employer delivery (for those currently employed in the community services sector)
Elective units
Provide advocacy representation services (CHCADV002)
Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management (CHCCSM005)
Plan and conduct group activities (CHCGRP002)
Implement trauma informed care (CHCMHS013)
Work with people with mental health issues (CHCMHS001)
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence (CHCDFV001)
Represent organisation in court or tribunal (CHCADV004)
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety (CHCDIV002)
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 professional community services workers or social welfare workers.
Professional recognition
The Diploma of Community Services (standard classroom-based delivery) 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.
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.
Please note: The maximum VET Student Loan amount for this course is $10,150. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
Diploma of Community ServicesEstimated course fees for 2018* |
||
|---|---|---|
| For students who are not granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | For students who are granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do not receive a VET Student Loan | $16,030 | $7,900 |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan | $5,880 | Fully Covered |
Skills First
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.
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.
Please note: 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 2018 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted for this course, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Entry requirements
Entry into this program is based on an applicant’s study and/or relevant work history. Some additional criteria may also apply.
Applicants require a minimum of completion of Year 12 or equivalent.
Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.
Additional requirements
The following additional criteria for entry apply for this course:
- Have a valid Working With Children Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to placements)
- Have a 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) - Additional requirements
- 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
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
Find out more
Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059