Diploma of
Community Services

In response to the Victorian State Government Social Services Jobs Guarantee announcement we have scheduled additional enrolment places in 2023.

February 2023 intake - important dates:

• course orientation: Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 January (attendance required)
• classes commence: Monday 6 February
• classes conclude: the week of 27 November

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. 

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.

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.

Direct entry

Recognition of Prior Learning is available.

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:

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Bachelor of Psychology with Honours

This course is government accredited and has national recognition

The qualification is aligned with the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 5

• Government Subsidised Place
• Payment Plan
• VET Student Loans

This training is provided with funds made available by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

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.

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.