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Diploma of Community Services

Domestic Students

Course outline (Domestic)

Course Code: CHC52015

What can I do with a Diploma of Community Services?

This qualification reflects the roles of community services, case management and social housing workers involved in the managing, co-ordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities.

At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. Workers are usually providing direct support to individuals or groups of individuals. Workers may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management, program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.

To achieve this qualification, candidates must have completed at least 100 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency.

Potential job opportunities for graduates for Diploma of Community Services course include:

  • Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant 
  • Community Worker 
  • Drug and Alcohol Counsellor 
  • Family and Marriage Support Officer 
  • Family Support Worker 
  • Social Worker 
  • Welfare Worker 
  • Youth Worker 
  • Case manager 

Entry requirements

Applicants must satisfy all requirements as below:

Academic requirement:

  • Successful completion of Year 11 or
  • Mature aged students who can demonstrate basic level understanding of community work, or some level of vocational experience in a range of work environments in the community services industry.

Students who are unable to provide evidence to demonstrate meeting the above requirements may be interviewed or asked to undertake the language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) skills to ascertain their existing skills. 

The recommended LLN profile to enter this qualification is: ACSF level 4 for five skills: Oral, Reading, Writing, Learning and Numeracy

Vocational placement requirements:

Students are required to complete at least 100 hours of work placement as part of course requirements. We understand the industry and will assist you in finding Work Placement. GBCA work placement coordinator, GBCA trainers and the student will work collaboratively in securing a work placement. Once you are marked satisfactory in the required units, you apply for work placement by completing an online placement application form. You can indicate your availability and preferred location. We endeavour to place you in an aged care facility and/or disability facility and/or community care setting of your choice, however, we cannot guarantee this as it depends on the availability in the facilities of your preferred location. Once you submit your form, all parties will work towards securing a place for you.
Remember, Aged care facilities and/or Disability and/or community care facilities prefer students who are both flexible and reliable.
On average, it takes approximately 4 weeks to secure a work placement.

The Fair Work Act 2009, under the definition of Vocational Placement in section 12 outlines the rules restricting unpaid work. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a clear explanation of these rules in the Internships, Vocational Placements & Unpaid Work Fact Sheet.  

Due to the requirement to complete the vocational placement, a final outcome for each unit would not be provided until the relevant component of vocational placement had been completed.

Material requirement:

Students are required to bring their own laptop with Microsoft Office 2007 or a later version installed for face to face classes.

How long does it take to do Diploma of Community Services?

Course duration:

This course is delivered during a maximum duration of 52 weeks, including term breaks and public holidays

Schedule:

2 sessions per week

Assessment methods

Questions, Case studies, Presentation, Project, Portfolio, work placement project and work placement observation.

Is this Course Government Funded?

Diploma of Community Services course is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding under the Skills First Program. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for training subsidised through the Skills First Program.

For more information about our government-funded courses, please visit The Skills Funding Page

Diploma of Community Services

Can I Study Diploma of Community Services Online? Yes, You Can!

GBCA is currently offering students the option to study Diploma of Community Services Online or on-campus during the pandemic.

Unit CodeUnit Name
CHCCCS007Develop and implement service programs
CHCCOM003 Develop workplace communication strategies
CHCDEV002Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
CHCDIV003Manage and promote diversity
CHCLEG003Manage legal and ethical compliance
CHCMGT005Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTWHS004Manage work health and safety
CHCCCS004Assess co-existing needs
CHCCSM004Coordinate complex case requirements
CHCCSM005Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
CHCCSM006Provide case management supervision
CHCDIV001Work with diverse people
CHCCSL002Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
CHCDEV003Analyse client information for service planning and delivery
CHCCDE007Develop and provide community projects

Course Factsheet

Course Accreditations

Nationally Recognised Training
Australian Qualification Framework

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Diploma of Community Services

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