Diploma of
Community Services

Full time: 18 months (3 days per week for classes and tutorials, 9.30am to 4pm)

This course will provide a variety of employment opportunities in roles such as being a:

• community services worker
• early intervention worker
• group facilitator
• youth officer
• support facilitator
• case worker

Employment opportunities exist in a wide range of community services organisations.

The Diploma of Community Services is accredited through the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). Students that successfully complete the qualification may apply for ACWA membership.

International students must have:

• successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or international equivalent with a pass, or
• a relevant Certificate IV in Youth Work or Community Services level qualification, and/or
• significant relevant industry experience to be deemed capable to successfully complete the course

Working with Children Checks and Police Record Checks are a requirement for industry work placement.

If you are an inbound international student, you may apply for the Bachelor of Community Services with this course as a package offer.

PLEASE NOTE: Box Hill Institute only accept enrolments from international students who are 18 years of age or above at the time of course commencement.

A minimum IELTS overall score of 5.5 (Academic) with no band less than 5.0. A minimum TOEFL score of 530 for paper examination; 179 for computer based and 71 for Internet based, or approved equivalent.

For other accepted tests, please visit the English Language Requirements page.

International students please apply through:

1. an authorised representative in your country
2. a Box Hill Institute booth at an education exhibition
3. or direct to Box Hill Institute

See how to apply or contact the international office for more information.

This course has a guaranteed pathway into the Bachelor of Community Services at Box Hill Institute (direct entry into second year with a credit grade or above in the Diploma).

Completion of this course will also enable you to negotiate up to 8 credit points (equivalent of one year full-time study) of credit 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

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 2020 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.

This course is delivered 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.

The Diploma is endorsed by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), and requires the following placement hours to be completed: 200 hours in stage 2 and 200 hours in stage 3.  This 400 hour total must be completed at two separate organisations.

Feedback provided by a workplace supervisor will contribute to assessment of your ability to work at this level.