| Course Code | CHC52021 |
| Locations |
Warrnambool
Would you prefer another study location? Click here |
| Study Mode | Full-time, On Campus |
| Length | Two years |
| Commencement | July 2026 |
| Timetable | July: one and a half days a week (Monday 9am–3.30pm and Friday 9am–12.30 pm) on campus, plus practical placement.You will need to complete 400 hours of practical placement during the course (150 hours in the first year and 250 hours in the second year), outside of your scheduled class times. |
| Note | This qualification is superseded and updates are occurring. |
The Diploma of Community Services will give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support individuals, families, and whole communities in meaningful ways.
This course is suited to applicants who already hold a relevant community services qualification (Certificate IV level) or have relevant work/volunteering experience, as it builds on foundational knowledge and requires a strong level of readiness for complex, industry-based learning.
Through 400 hours of hands-on industry placement, you’ll gain real-life experience and develop the practical skills employers are looking for. You’ll learn how to provide support, design and deliver programs, and advocate for people across a wide variety of settings.
As a Community Work Australia–accredited qualification, this course opens the door to a broad range of career opportunities in the growing community services sector — from case management and support work to program coordination and community development.
By completing the Diploma of Community Services, you'll develop essential skills for a career in community services. You'll learn to assess and support clients with coexisting needs, apply trauma-informed care principles, and develop effective workplace communication strategies.
The course emphasises cultural competence, including promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety and maintaining work health and safety standards. You'll also gain expertise in legal and ethical compliance, professional practice improvement, and facilitating workplace debriefing and support processes.
Additionally, you'll learn to handle domestic and family violence situations, facilitate responsible behaviour, and manage crisis situations. The program covers developmental assessment, service program implementation, sociological impact analysis, case management, and trauma-informed care, equipping you with comprehensive counselling skills to support diverse client needs effectively.
Completing the Diploma of Community Services gives you a direct pathway into a range of undergraduate programs through the TAFE Pathways Program – Domestic students at Deakin University.
You may even receive recognition of prior learning (RPL), allowing you to fast-track your degree.
Possible study pathways include:
Community & Social Work
Communication, Arts & Design
This means your TAFE study can give you a head start at university, helping you progress toward a bachelor’s degree while building on the skills you’ve already gained.
This course includes industry experience where you will gain knowledge and skills in working with individuals, groups and whole communities. This experience is gained through 400 hours of practical placement (150
hours in the first year and 250 hours in the second year) outside of timetabled class times.
In order to undertake placement, you must be able to obtain a current Working with Children Check, a police check (with no disclosures) and where necessary the NDIS worker screening. You may also be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID and flu.
Why don’t you come along to our next course info session to find out everything you need to start your learning journey? You can chat with our teachers, tour our facilities, learn more about the course, find out about the application process and get your questions answered by our course experts.
Find the next info session near you
This qualification is superseded and course updates are occurring.
To ensure course content is relevant and industry-specific, industry is constantly having input into this training package. The course code, title, units, and content may change in the future and you may be enrolled in the new qualification. Further information will be provided on our website, upon enrolment and/or during the course of your training.
Placement requirements
In order to undertake placement, you must:
To be eligible for this qualification, you must successfully complete 20 units: 12 core and 8 elective.
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Unit Hours | Unit Consumables |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety | 40 | $0.00 |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | 40 | $0.00 |
| CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | 25 | $0.00 |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice | 120 | $0.00 |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance | 80 | $0.00 |
| CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs | 80 | $0.00 |
| CHCCCS007 | Develop and implement service programs | 100 | $0.00 |
| CHCMGT005 | Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes | 120 | $0.00 |
| CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations | 45 | $0.00 |
| CHCCSM013 | Facilitate and review case management | 75 | $0.00 |
| CHCDEV005 | Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services | 100 | $0.00 |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence | 50 | $0.00 |
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Unit Hours | Unit Consumables |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHCCOM003 | Develop workplace communication strategies | 100 | $0.00 |
| CHCCSL003 | Facilitate the counselling relationship and process | 120 | $0.00 |
| CHCMHS013 | Implement trauma informed care | 80 | $0.00 |
| CHCCCS009 | Facilitate responsible behaviour | 40 | $0.00 |
| CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care | 40 | $0.00 |
| CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing | 80 | $0.00 |
| CHCDEV004 | Confirm developmental status | 60 | $0.00 |
| CHCCSL001 | Establish and confirm the counselling relationship | 100 | $0.00 |
This course involves accredited units. You will be required to complete assessment tasks to demonstrate your underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the course outcomes. A combination of written, oral and practical assessment strategies will be used in either a classroom, online or workplace environment.
Where units require demonstration of skills in a workplace environment, you will have the opportunity to do this either in your own workplace (where appropriate), through a practical placement, or by using one of the Institute's simulated workshops/classrooms. Detailed information about the types, conduct and dates of assessments will be provided in advance. You will also be provided with information about the opportunity for reassessment and appeal.
Here's an outline of fees and costs associated with your course.
Your fees each year can be made up of 3 different elements. Everyone has different circumstances that can affect what you pay and how much you pay. :
There are 4 different rates of tuition fees. Only one will apply to you (depending on your eligibility and circumstances).
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FEES AND ELIGIBILITY
The fees listed below are indicative only. The course fees published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Course fee funding is made available to eligible individuals by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect opportunities to access additional funding in the future. An accurate quote for this course will be provided during the enrolment process.
| Course fees by student type | Indicative Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Government subsidised rate (if eligible) | $13,860.00 |
| Full fee rate (if not eligible for govt subsidy) | $13,860.00 |
Some courses require specific resources or materials necessary for your study eg: tools of the trade, excursions, etc. Final costs will be determined upon enrolment.
| Additional course fees | Indicative Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Course consumable/materials (approximate) | $0.00 |
Once we have processed your enrolment form, you will receive an email with your invoice.
You have three options when organising your payment:
Payments will need to be arranged within five(5) business days of receiving the email containing your invoice.
We also offer a range of scholarships each year which you may be eligible to apply for to assist with course fees.
There are five simple steps to apply for a course with us.
If you need any assistance with applying, contact our team on 1300 648 911 or visit your nearest campus.
Not sure which course is right for you? South West TAFE will help you find your way.
Our Careers Coaches at the Skills and Jobs Centre is here to support you. Whether you’re exploring career options, transitioning from school to the workforce or looking to study after school we’re here to help you.
As a SWTAFE student, you can access a variety of support services that will enhance your study experience and help you complete your studies successfully. For more information about any of these services, visit our student page.
This is Free TAFE course. Free TAFE is a Victorian Government program that covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training. There may still be some costs like course materials, uniform or excursions applicable to the course you select.
A Free TAFE Pathways Program is a group of courses that complement each other to help you continue to train for the career and industry you may wish to work in.
For eligible students, these courses are tuition fee free. Depending on the course, you may still be required to pay material fees. The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.
Find out more about Free TAFE Pathways Program and eligibility or contact our Customer Service team.
Skill sets are courses that are available free of any tuition fees for eligible applicants.
These courses are not part of the Free TAFE program and therefore will not impact your eligibility to study a Free TAFE course in the future.
This is Free TAFE course. Free TAFE is a Victorian Government program that covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training. There may still be some costs like course materials, uniform or excursions applicable to the course you select.
A Free TAFE Pathways Program is a group of courses that complement each other to help you continue to train for the career and industry you may wish to work in.
For eligible students, these courses are tuition fee free. Depending on the course, you may still be required to pay material fees. The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.
Find out more about Free TAFE Pathways Program and eligibility or contact our Customer Service team.
Skill sets are courses that are available free of any tuition fees for eligible applicants.
These courses are not part of the Free TAFE program and therefore will not impact your eligibility to study a Free TAFE course in the future.
