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  4. Diploma of Community Services
QUALIFICATION

Diploma of Community Services


 National Code: CHC52021
 TAFE SA Code: TP01398


2025 start

Description

Build on existing professional skills and be positioned with the expertise and knowledge to take on leadership and case management roles.
Learn how to deliver person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities, across multiple areas of the community services.
The course will use current techniques, to further develop technical skills via work-based through 200 hours of placement in a variety of community service agencies.
Students must be eligible for, and obtain a valid, South Australian working with children’s check for entry to this course.

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Duration
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18 months 

Full Time

Counsellor and Community Worker
Counsellor and Community Worker

Locations & Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Noarlunga

815318

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time
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Regency Park

852013

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time
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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Part Time

Part Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course.

Existing Worker Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Regency Park

852003

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Part Time
Apply Now

Icon Legend

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Part Time

Part Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

  • Evidence of current paid employment/volunteer work in a community services direct client intervention role for a period of 12 months or more
If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course.

Please Read Before Applying

Attendance Requirements (subject to change)
This course is delivered through a blend of two compulsory on-campus workshops a week, and online study.
Workshops are usually from 9.30 to 4.00pm, and occasionally from 9.00 to 5.00pm. Start dates and workshop days differ between campuses:

  • Regency Park – Term 2 (Thursday & Friday) and Term 4 (Tuesday & Wednesday)
  • Noarlunga – Term 2 (Thursday & Friday) and Term 4 (Tuesday & Wednesday)

Fees

Average cost per semester
Total Fees for the 18 month course
Subsidised
$1,937
$5,811
Concession
$1,192
$3,576
You may be eligible for government subsidised training.
Subsidised Training Eligibility
Subsidised training may require applicants to complete a Core Skills Profile Assessment (CSPA).
What is the CSPA?

This course is part of the Fee Free TAFE initiative. Fee Free TAFE and vocational education is a joint initiative of the Australian and South Australian Governments providing tuition-free training places to students wanting to train, retrain or upskill. The eligibility check below is an indication only and does not confirm your eligibility status. Eligibility verification will take place before the enrolment process and may include participation in a Language, Literacy and Numeracy pre-assessment. The number of Fee Free TAFE places that are funded is limited by the terms of the skills agreement signed by the Australian and South Australian Governments. Should all available Fee Free TAFE places be taken, subsequent applicants will be offered a subsidised place.

Fee Free Training Eligibility
Full Fee
$2,856
$8,567

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

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    VET Student Loan

    This is an interest-free personal loan from the Australian Government that provides eligible students access to capped funding to help pay for their studies.

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    Payment Plan

    If you have difficulty paying your fees upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Case coordinator, case manager, client service assessor, coordinator family support services, welfare worker, social welfare worker, early intervention coordinator, community worker.

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Diploma of Community Services (CHC52021)
    This qualification covers workplace communication strategies, service programs, impacts of sociological factors, diversity, legal and ethical requirements, debriefing and support processes, professional practice and workplace safety. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 12 core units and 8 elective units. To achieve this qualification, students must have completed at least 100 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services 100
    Assess co-existing needs 80
    Develop and implement service programs 100
    Facilitate and review case management 75
    Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes 120
    Maintain work health and safety 40
    Manage legal and ethical compliance 80
    Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety 25
    Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence 50
    Recognise and respond to crisis situations 45
    Reflect on and improve own professional practice 120
    Work with diverse people 40

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Coordinate complex case requirements 75
    Facilitate goal directed planning 90
    Identify and report children and young people at risk 40
    Implement case management practice 90
    Implement trauma informed care 80
    Provide case management supervision 120
    Work effectively in trauma informed care 40
    Work with people with mental health issues 80

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Diploma of Community Services
TP01398
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