About the course
About the course
If you aspire to operate at an advanced skill level or have responsibility for the supervision of other staff and volunteers, this community services course is for you. You’ll be ready to work as a community services professional in a range of service delivery roles including direct client work, community education or community development projects. You’ll understand how to provide support to people in need of assistance and how to link clients to appropriate services and government departments.
You'll study subjects including:
- counselling
- case management
- mental health
- family violence prevention and intervention
- drug and alcohol rehabilitation
- legal and ethical compliance
- diversity and communication
- dual diagnosis
- workplace critical incident debriefing
The Victorian State Government have recently announced the Social Services Jobs Guarantee which will guarantee all students a job in the social services sector when they graduate from the Diploma of Community Services (between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2024). You can now enrol in this Free TAFE course, with the assurance of a job when you finish. Employers in Community Services will also be supported to take on graduates, helping them fill jobs and develop their organisations.
Course will be replaced
Please note: This course will change in the near future and alterations to the structure will occur. All new students will be enrolled into the new course.
Course Details
- Intake Dates & Course Length
- Career Outcomes
- Entry Requirements
- Pathways & Accreditation
- Fees & Finance Options
- Course Structure
Last updated:
Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:00:11 GMT
Box Hill Institute reserves the right to alter or delete details of a course offering, fees or other information provided
Intake Dates & Course Length
February & July
If you are interesed in studying the Diploma of Community Services in 2024, please register your interest and we will communicate with you when we have more information.
Full time: 18 months (generally 2 days per week plus 2 days per week placement - in the second and third semesters)
Your classes will be conducted remotely, with a teacher, via MS Teams. Some on-campus classes may be timetabled as well.
As a prospective student it is important for you to know that when you enrol in this blended delivery course you will:
- speak to your teacher prior to commencing the course (we want to get to know you and help you set yourself up correctly at home so that participation in our classes is seamless)
- meet your classmates regularly through both online classrooms and face to face in the classroom
- have the opportunity to engage in interactive and lively discussion
- acquire new skills that are completely relevant to the changes currently being experienced in the community services sector
- receive all the support that a student on campus would receive (eg: access to our library team, guest speakers, learning support, student counsellors and technical support)
This is a blended delivery course which will include a combination of online, remote and face to face delivery. Blended learning can involve a range of online programs and resources including StudentWeb, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Skype, specific industry platforms, pre-recorded sessions, assigned reading, tutorials, discussion boards, and online activities. Blended learning also involves face-to-face attendance at classes or practical placements.
For information regarding dates such as enrolment, orientation and study breaks please visit the Academic Calendars page.
Career Outcomes
After successful completion of this course, you may wish to apply for roles such as:
- community services worker
- NDIS support worker
- early intervention worker
- group facilitator
- youth officer
- support facilitator
- case worker
Employment opportunities exist in a wide range of community services organisations.
Entry Requirements
You must
- be at least 18 years of age
- have a Working with Children Check and Police Record Check for industry work placement and future employment in this field
- have a COVID19 vaccination certificate (or medical exemption) to attend on campus and for industry work placement
An NDIS Worker Screening Check may be required for work with NDIS participants.
PRE-TRAINING REVIEW - to assist prospective students to determine whether a course is suitable and appropriate for the individual needs, Box Hill Institute will assess all students’ language, literacy and numeracy and digital literacy by asking you to undertake a self-assessment review prior to the enrolment. A course advisor will discuss the outcomes of the review and make recommendations about whether the course is suitable for you, and identify additional support where required.
Pathways & Accreditation
This course has a guaranteed pathway into the Bachelor of Community Services at Box Hill Institute (direct entry into second year). Completion of this course will also enable you to negotiate up to 8 credit points (equivalent to one year full time study) for the following programs at Deakin University:
This course is government accredited and has national recognition
The qualification is aligned with the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 5
Fees & Finance Options
This training is provided with funds made available by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.
| Free TAFE | Government Subsidised Standard | Full Fee | |
| Tuition Fee | $0 | $7,741 | $16,413 |
| Service & Amenity Fee | $260 | $260 | $260 |
| Material Fee | $165 | $165 | $165 |
| Retain Course Items | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Course Estimate | $425 | $8,166 | $16,838 |
| Payable Estimate (at commencement) | $425 | $4,691 | $9,410 |
Service & Amenity Fee may very depending on course commencement and enrolment duration. Retain Course Items are purchased once by the student prior to commencing. Those items then become the property of the student. Fees listed are at 2023 rates and may increase annually over the duration of delivery. The student tuition fees listed are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. For more information please contact our Course Advisors on 1300 BOX HILL.
Course Structure
You'll study 16 units over 18 months within 3 teaching semesters (Stages 1 to 3).
To be assessed as competent in this qualification, you are required to undertake placement in Stages 2 and 3 of the program. You will need to undertake 400 hours of work placement (200 hours in each of Stage 2 and Stage 3) which is equivalent to a four day per week commitment in this part of the course.
Feedback provided by a workplace supervisor will contribute to assessment of your ability to work at this level.
- CHCDEV002Analyse Impacts Of Sociological Factors On Clients In Community Work And Services100.0 hours
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to function independently and to plan and undertake community work and associated services.
- CHCDIV003Manage And Promote Diversity80.0 hours
- HLTWHS004Manage Work Health And Safety40.0 hours
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, maintain and evaluate work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and programs in the relevant work area, according to WHS legislative requirements.
This unit applies to workers who have responsibility for WHS as part of their role, including workers with obligations under WHS legislation, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), or their officers (as defined by relevant legislation).
- CHCMHS013Implement Trauma Informed Care80.0 hours
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote trauma informed care, and to develop strategies to address people’s specific trauma needs. Trauma informed care involves providing services that are informed by the knowledge and understanding of the impact of trauma, in particular interpersonal violence and varying service practice to reduce the likelihood of re-traumatisation.
This unit applies to work with people with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
- CHCMHS005Provide Services To People With Co-Existing Mental Health And Alcohol And Other Drugs Issues90.0 hours
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess capacity to support people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and to work collaboratively to provide support and facilitate links to other services.
This unit applies to work with people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessments in a range of community services work contexts.
Is this the course for you?
Enrol now or enquire about this course.
