Diploma of Community Services
CHC52021
CRICOS Course Code: 112584F
Overview
This nationally recognised community service qualification prepares you for a generalist position in community services. As a graduate, you may work in diverse community settings helping clients to access essential services. You can work independently within your area of expertise or supervise colleagues.
Throughout the course, you will develop specialised skills to deliver, manage and coordinate person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities across a large range of service areas from drugs and alcohol treatment, community mental health, children, youth work, family, disability and housing. With a strong focus on both person-centred and strengths-based case management, our course prepares you for a wide range of specialisations within the community services sector. Advance your career in high-demand industry and make a positive impact on individuals and communities.
Key Information
| Award | CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services |
| Duration | 2 years (104 weeks) 8 terms x 10 weeks 24 weeks of holidays |
| Study Mode | Classroom, Structured Study (Online) and Work Placement |
| Locations | Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney |
| Intakes | January, April, July, October |
The CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services is a nationally recognised qualification.
Career Opportunities
Curious about what roles in the industry you can apply for upon completing your CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services? Here’s a list of career opportunities:
- Community Services Worker
- Case Worker
- Case Manager
- Child, Youth and Family Worker
- Support Worker
- Welfare Support Worker
- Intake Officer
- Early Intervention Worker
- Community Housing Resources Worker
- Community Program Coordinator
Study Pathways
Completing the CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services will open a study pathway into a Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy with our sister company Ikon Institute of Australia.
Course Delivery and Assessment
This course is timetabled for 104 weeks, including 80 weeks of training and assessment across 8 terms of 10 weeks, and 24 weeks of holidays. Each week, you are required to complete 20 hours of training and assessment, made up of 14 hours of weekly classroom training and 6 hours of structured study. An additional 10 hours per week of self-directed learning should be set aside for homework. A plan for self-directed learning will be provided for a 10-week period that outlines your learning activities in preparation for assessment requirements.
Assessments: You will be assessed in both simulated and a real work environment. In the classroom, assessments include short answer questions, case studies, presentations, role plays and practical demonstrations in a simulated environment, and projects.
Training: Training takes place on campus and -in a community services organisation. Delivery methods for training on campus includes trainer presentations and demonstrations, individual tasks, case studies, research, role plays, practical demonstrations, and group work.
Units of Competency
The course is made up of 20 units of competencies, made up of 12 core and 8 elective units, and 2 work placements.
CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs
CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCCSM013 Facilitate and review case management
CHCDEV005 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services
CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance
CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
CHCCSM016 Undertake advanced assessments
CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care
CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCDEV004 Confirm developmental status
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
BSBPEF401 Manage personal health and wellbeing
CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self advocacy
Course Requirements and Suitability
Entry Requirements
Study Requirements
Entry Recommendations
You must meet both the academic and English language requirements.
Academic Requirements
- Completion of the Australian Year 12 or equivalent.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
English Language Requirements
You must meet one of the following criteria:
- IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with no individual band score below 5.5; or
- ALG in-house English proficiency test that is equivalent to IELTS 6.0; or
- A Certificate IV level qualification (or higher) completed within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) in Australia within 2 years before starting this course; or
- Completion of the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in Australia and in the English language within 2 years before starting this course.
You must also complete the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) online test as per ALG’s Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements Factsheet
Please note: If you are applying for more than one course at ALG, you will only need to complete the LLN online test once. However, students returning to studies at ALG after a significant period of time may be asked to complete the LLN online test.
For more details about the English Language Entry Requirements, please refer to the ALG English Proficiency Requirements Factsheet.
- Bring your own device: Please bring your own laptop or tablet device to theory classes as ALG does not provide these items. Refer to the BYOD Policy in the ALG Student Handbook for specific details.
- Police Check: You may be required to provide a current national police check before starting your work placement if requested by your workplace employer. You are responsible for the cost of this check, which is not included in course fees.
- Strong communication skills are essential for interacting with clients, patients and colleagues.
- Teamwork and collaboration skills
- Cultural sensitivity: Understanding and respecting diverse cultures is important for working with a variety of clients.
- Patience and empathy: Understanding and responding to the needs of others is fundamental to this role.
Work Placement
As part of this course, you need to do two work placements totalling 400 hours in a community services organisation. This practical industry experience will prepare you for your future role working in the industry and you will enhance your communication skills.