| Course Code | CHC52025 |
| Locations | Warrnambool, Virtual |
| Study Mode | Full-time, On Campus, Online |
| Length | Two years |
| Commencement | February, July |
| Timetable | One day on campus and one morning or evening via virtual classroom a week. Self-paced study and placement are also required. Training is delivered over 67 weeks, during school terms. See upcoming intakes for more information. |
The Diploma of Community Services will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to support individuals, families and communities in meaningful ways. This course is suited to applicants who already hold a relevant community services qualification at Certificate IV level, or who have relevant work or volunteer experience, as it builds on existing knowledge and requires readiness for complex, industry-based learning.
You will develop advanced skills to support people with diverse and complex needs, including undertaking case management, coordinating services, advocating for clients, designing and delivering programs, and applying professional judgement to achieve positive outcomes across a range of community services settings.
Through practical learning and 400 hours of industry placement, you will gain valuable real-world experience and develop the skills employers are looking for, including increased autonomy, responsibility and decision-making in professional practice.
As a Community Work Australia-accredited qualification, this course provides a pathway to a broad range of careers within the growing community services sector, including case management, support work, program coordination and community development. It also offers pathways to further study, including Social Work and other related higher education qualifications.
By completing the Diploma of Community Services, you'll develop essential skills for a career in community services. You'll learn to assess and support clients with coexisting needs, apply trauma-informed care principles, and develop effective workplace communication strategies.
The course emphasises cultural competence, including promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety and maintaining work health and safety standards. You'll also gain expertise in legal and ethical compliance, professional practice improvement, and facilitating workplace debriefing and support processes.
Additionally, you'll learn to handle domestic and family violence situations, facilitate responsible behaviour, and manage crisis situations. The program covers developmental assessment, service program implementation, sociological impact analysis, case management, and trauma-informed care, equipping you with comprehensive counselling skills to support diverse client needs effectively.
Completing the Diploma of Community Services gives you a direct pathway into a range of undergraduate programs through the TAFE Pathways Program – Domestic students at Deakin University.
You may even receive recognition of prior learning (RPL), allowing you to fast-track your degree.
Possible study pathways include:
Community & Social Work
Communication, Arts & Design
This means your TAFE study can give you a head start at university, helping you progress toward a bachelor’s degree while building on the skills you’ve already gained.
This course includes industry experience where you will gain knowledge and skills in working with individuals, groups and whole communities. This experience is gained through 400 hours of practical placement (150 hours in the first year and 250 hours in the second year) outside of timetabled class times.
In order to undertake placement, you must be able to obtain a current Working with Children Check, a police check (with no disclosures) and where necessary the NDIS worker screening. You may also be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID and flu.
Why don’t you come along to our next course info session to find out everything you need to start your learning journey? You can chat with our teachers, tour our facilities, learn more about the course, find out about the application process and get your questions answered by our course experts.
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Placement requirements
In order to undertake placement, you must:
To be eligible for this qualification, you must successfully complete 20 units: 12 core and 8 elective.
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Unit Hours | Unit Consumables |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety | 40 | $0.00 |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | 40 | $0.00 |
| CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | 25 | $0.00 |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice | 120 | $0.00 |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance | 80 | $0.00 |
| CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs | 80 | $0.00 |
| CHCCCS007 | Develop and implement service programs | 100 | $0.00 |
| CHCMGT005 | Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes | 120 | $0.00 |
| CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations | 45 | $0.00 |
| CHCDEV005 | Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services | 100 | $0.00 |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence | 50 | $0.00 |
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Unit Hours | Unit Consumables |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHCCOM003 | Develop workplace communication strategies | 100 | $0.00 |
| CHCCSL003 | Facilitate the counselling relationship and process | 120 | $0.00 |
| CHCMHS013 | Implement trauma informed care | 80 | $0.00 |
| CHCCCS009 | Facilitate responsible behaviour | 40 | $0.00 |
| CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care | 40 | $0.00 |
| CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing | 80 | $0.00 |
| CHCDEV004 | Confirm developmental status | 60 | $0.00 |
| CHCCSL001 | Establish and confirm the counselling relationship | 100 | $0.00 |
This course involves accredited units. You will be required to complete assessment tasks to demonstrate your underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the course outcomes. A combination of written, oral and practical assessment strategies will be used in either a classroom, online or workplace environment.
Where units require demonstration of skills in a workplace environment, you will have the opportunity to do this either in your own workplace (where appropriate), through a practical placement, or by using one of the Institute's simulated workshops/classrooms. Detailed information about the types, conduct and dates of assessments will be provided in advance. You will also be provided with information about the opportunity for reassessment and appeal.
Here's an outline of fees and costs associated with your course.
Your fees each year can be made up of 3 different elements. Everyone has different circumstances that can affect what you pay and how much you pay. :
There are 4 different rates of tuition fees. Only one will apply to you (depending on your eligibility and circumstances).
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FEES AND ELIGIBILITY
The fees listed below are indicative only. The course fees published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Course fee funding is made available to eligible individuals by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect opportunities to access additional funding in the future. An accurate quote for this course will be provided during the enrolment process.
| Course fees by student type | Indicative Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Government subsidised rate (if eligible) | $14,580.00 |
| Full fee rate (if not eligible for govt subsidy) | $14,580.00 |
Some courses require specific resources or materials necessary for your study eg: tools of the trade, excursions, etc. Final costs will be determined upon enrolment.
| Additional course fees | Indicative Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Course consumable/materials (approximate) | $0.00 |
An annual student services fee contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services.
| Student service fee | Annual amount |
|---|---|
| Concession rate | $100.00 |
| Standard rate | $150.00 |
This fee is non-refundable upon commencement of your course. Some students may be exempt from the student service fee. Your fee will be confirmed based on your circumstances when you enrol.
Once we have processed your enrolment form, you will receive an email with your invoice.
You have three options when organising your payment:
Payments will need to be arranged within five(5) business days of receiving the email containing your invoice.
We also offer a range of scholarships each year which you may be eligible to apply for to assist with course fees.
There are five simple steps to apply for a course with us.
Need help? Contact us or visit your nearest campus.
Not sure which course is right for you? South West TAFE will help you find your way.
Our Careers Coaches at the Skills and Jobs Centre is here to support you. Whether you’re exploring career options, transitioning from school to the workforce or looking to study after school we’re here to help you.
As a SWTAFE student, you can access a variety of support services that will enhance your study experience and help you complete your studies successfully. For more information about any of these services, visit our student page.
This is Free TAFE course. Free TAFE is a Victorian Government program that covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training. There may still be some costs like course materials, uniform or excursions applicable to the course you select.
A Free TAFE Pathways Program is a group of courses that complement each other to help you continue to train for the career and industry you may wish to work in.
For eligible students, these courses are tuition fee free. Depending on the course, you may still be required to pay material fees. The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.
Find out more about Free TAFE Pathways Program and eligibility or contact our Customer Service team.
Skill sets are courses that are available free of any tuition fees for eligible applicants.
These courses are not part of the Free TAFE program and therefore will not impact your eligibility to study a Free TAFE course in the future.
Right now this course is only offered at limited locations, however, we’d welcome you to register your interest in your preferred study location. This will help us to plan for future course delivery locations.
This is Free TAFE course. Free TAFE is a Victorian Government program that covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training. There may still be some costs like course materials, uniform or excursions applicable to the course you select.
A Free TAFE Pathways Program is a group of courses that complement each other to help you continue to train for the career and industry you may wish to work in.
For eligible students, these courses are tuition fee free. Depending on the course, you may still be required to pay material fees. The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.
Find out more about Free TAFE Pathways Program and eligibility or contact our Customer Service team.
Skill sets are courses that are available free of any tuition fees for eligible applicants.
These courses are not part of the Free TAFE program and therefore will not impact your eligibility to study a Free TAFE course in the future.
Right now this course is only offered at limited locations, however, we’d welcome you to register your interest in your preferred study location. This will help us to plan for future course delivery locations.
