Course Summary
This qualification reflects the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities. At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management. Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination. To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 200 hours of work (2 x 100-hour blocks) as detailed in the assessment requirements of units of competency. The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
Requirements - To Be Eligible
For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.
Entry RequirementsStudents are required to complete the bksb (basic key skills builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment unless the student has completed an equal or higher level course prior to commencing the Diploma of Community Services.
Mandatory placement checks are compulsory for this course, you will be required to get a Working with Children's Check relevant to your State and an Australian Federal Police Check. Please ensure you will meet the requirements for these checks. You may be required to undertake a pre-placement interview with host organisations and placement is subject to student meeting the requirements of the organisation.
Your vocational placement will entail 2 x 100 hours within a community services organisation and your placement will be undertaken towards the end of the course. If you are currently working within the community services industry you may be eligible to undertake your placement hours with your existing employer.
Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning
Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.
Additional information
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 200 hours of work in 2 x 100-hour blocks as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.
VET Student Loan Information
VET Student Loans may be available for eligible students in approved Diploma level qualifications. The loan can be used towards Tuition Fees only and does not cover additional expenses such as textbooks, uniforms, equipment, travel, tools, and accommodation or general living expenses. Loan limits or caps may apply for some eligible courses and where a loan limit is reached for a course, students may be required to pay upfront for any remaining units.
For more information or to check your eligibility for a VET Student Loan, please visit our VET Student Loans webpage or contact us .
Course Details
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| How to Apply | Please Enquire | ||||||||||||
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| AQF Level | Level 5: Diploma |
Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations
Completion of the requirements for CHC52021 – Diploma of Community Services may lead to further study options in Social Sciences including the Bachelor of Social Work. Career opportunities include work positions in the fields of Community Services, i.e., Mental Health, Child Protection, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Housing, Domestic Violence, Disability and Youth Services.
- Complete 12 core units
- Complete 8 elective units
Study Mode Definitions
- Online: Online courses provide the flexibility to study without normally requiring a student to visit a campus. Course content is studied through a number of means including the use of online discussion forums, electronic library resources, by contacting lecturers and teachers, and receiving study materials online/electronically. Work integrated learning, including placements, may be included in some courses.
- On-campus: Students studying in on-campus mode typically are expected to attend and participate in regular, structured on-campus teaching and learning activities throughout the University’s academic term. These activities may include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practice, online or other activities and normally will be timetabled at a CQUniversity campus or approved delivery site.
- Mixed Mode: Students studying in mixed mode will participate in a combination of online learning activities in addition to site-specific learning activities, which may include residential schools, co-op placements and/or work-integrated learning as a compulsory requirement of a unit. The additional site-specific learning activities are what differentiates a mixed-mode unit from an online unit.
*All study modes may include Vocational placement and/or work integrated learning.
Select a course structure below to view the delivery details, including the different study modes offered for each structure.
12- 26 months
- Online
- RPL/RCC/Credit
| Core | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCCSM013 | Facilitate and review case management | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCCCS007 | Develop and implement service programs | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCMGT005 | Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCDEV005 | Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| Elective | ||||
| HLTWHS006 | Manage personal stressors in the work environment | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCCSL002 | Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCCCS016 | Respond to client needs | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCPRT029 | Work within a practice framework | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
| CHCMHS008 | Promote and facilitate self advocacy | More Information | Training.gov Details | |
Unit Sequence
Units with the same sequence number should be enrolled into at the same time.
| Sequence | Unit |
|---|---|
| 1 | CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people |
| 2 | HLTWHS003 - Maintain work health and safety |
| 3 | HLTWHS006 - Manage personal stressors in the work environment |
| 4 | CHCPRP001 - Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
| 5 | CHCCSL002 - Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills |
| 6 | CHCCCS016 - Respond to client needs |
| 7 | CHCLEG003 - Manage legal and ethical compliance |
| 8 | CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
| 9 | CHCCCS004 - Assess co-existing needs |
| 10 | CHCCCS019 - Recognise and respond to crisis situations |
| 11 | CHCDFV001 - Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
| 12 | CHCPRT029 - Work within a practice framework |
| 13 | CHCMHS001 - Work with people with mental health issues |
| 14 | CHCMHS007 - Work effectively in trauma informed care |
| 15 | CHCMHS008 - Promote and facilitate self advocacy |
| 16 | CHCCSM013 - Facilitate and review case management |
| 17 | CHCCCS007 - Develop and implement service programs |
| 18 | CHCPRP003 - Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| 19 | CHCMGT005 - Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes |
| 20 | CHCDEV005 - Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services |
Course Assessment Information
Credit transfer - If credit for relevant formal qualifications is sought, then the process will be actioned after the student has enrolled in at least one unit of competency as directed by the relevant trainer/assessor. The Trainer/Assessor will work with the student on their credit transfer application, and provide advice and support as necessary.
| Assessment Types |
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| Practical Task |
| Written/Electronic Assessment |
| RPL |
| Third Party Verification |
| Project |
Domestic 2023 Availabilities
Standard Course Structure
August: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
Domestic 2024 Availabilities
Standard Course Structure
February: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
Domestic 2025 Availabilities
Standard Course Structure
February: Part Time/Full Time
April: Part Time/Full Time
June: Part Time/Full Time
August: Part Time/Full Time
October: Part Time/Full Time
Show Historic Availabilities
More Details
New Students must follow course structure as per course planner and enrol in only one unit at a time. Click here for how to enrol video.
Do not enrol into units you are seeking credit transfer for. If seeking credit transfer watch this video.
Continuing Students should follow the recommended course sequence.
Resource and Computing Requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that you have access to the CQUniversity website. You will be required to undertake various components of study in the course requiring access to a reliable internet connection to access online resources that would include but are not limited to, email, internet, video conferencing (mic and camera), electronic assessment submission.
All submissions of assessment must be uploaded electronically to the VET Moodle platform.
There is a total of 20 units of competency in CHC52021– Diploma of Community Service you must successfully complete all 20 units of study in this course in order to be awarded Diploma of Community Service.
All units of competency will be delivered on-line through the Moodle VET platform provided by CQUniversity Australia once you are enrolled. It is also expected that students will avail themselves of opportunities to engage with both teaching staff and other students through on-line discussions, forums and/or presentations.
Work Placement Requirements
To complete this course, you will be required to complete an approved work placement of 200 hours. Students who are currently working in a relevant role may be eligible to undertake placement with their existing employer, subject to approval from the relevant Educational Team Leader and agreement from the employer.
If not CQUniversity’s Workforce Integrated Learning (WIL) team will aim to source a placement located within your community; however, circumstances may require you to relocate to complete the placement.
Mandatory placement checks are compulsory for this course and it is important that students ensure they can meet the requirements for these checks. Mandatory Check inquiries can be directed to WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au
further detailed information can be sourced by clicking on the following link: IMMUNISATIONS AND VACCINATIONS WIL DOCUMENT.
You may also be required to undertake a pre-placement interview with the host organisation and placement may be subject to you meeting the organisation's requirements.