INTERNATIONAL

Diploma of Community Services

CRICOS Code: 115249H
National Code: CHC52021

2025 2026

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.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Example Career Profile

Print Course Page

63 weeks

2.5

51 weeks

Counsellor and Community Worker

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Regency Park

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

20 hours per week

Full Time

April, October

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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.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.5 in Listening and Speaking and 5.0 in Reading and Writing or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of the Certificate IV in Community Services.

Work Placement Duration: 140 hours

Prior to work placement students will be required to apply for and successfully receive the following South Australian Department of Human Services screening prior to undertaking any vocational placement: working with children, disability, aged and vulnerable persons. They will also need a current Through Their Eyes, Child Safe Environment certificate. Student’s may need a National Police clearance depending on the placement provider. Work placement will be taken 1 day per week. Hours dependent on the work placement site.

Course Notes

The Certificate IV and Diploma of Community Services can be undertaken as a 2-year package, some credit is available between the courses within the package. Further details of the course structure and fee schedule will be outlined in the offer letter.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $5972

AUD $200^*

Semester 2

AUD $5973

Semester 3

NaN

Fee Totals

AUD $11945

AUD $200^*

Total Course Cost

AUD $12145

* The invoicing for the community services package will be Term 1 $3875 and Term 2 & 3 $7750 and for the Diploma component Term 4 & 5: $5972 and Term 6 & 7: $5973 (subject to change as outlined in the course notes section). International students will be required to pay for their own screenings, checks, and any required vaccinations (including COVID-19) at approximately $A200.

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

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.

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	Subject Code	National Code
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services	100	CACHA	CHCDEV005
Assess co-existing needs	80	CABFN	CHCCCS004
Develop and implement service programs	100	CABEP	CHCCCS007
Facilitate and review case management	75	CACGT	CHCCSM013
Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes	120	CABFR	CHCMGT005
Maintain work health and safety	40	MAAGR	HLTWHS003
Manage legal and ethical compliance	80	CABEN	CHCLEG003
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety	25	CABDN	CHCDIV002
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence	50	CABLK	CHCDFV001
Recognise and respond to crisis situations	45	CABHK	CHCCCS019
Reflect on and improve own professional practice	120	CABDT	CHCPRP003
Work with diverse people	40	CABDM	CHCDIV001

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Coordinate complex case requirements	75	CACHD	CHCCSM012
Facilitate goal directed planning	90	CACHB	CHCCSM009
Identify and report children and young people at risk	40	CACFY	CHCPRT025
Implement case management practice	90	CACHC	CHCCSM010
Implement trauma informed care	80	CABHT	CHCMHS013
Provide case management supervision	120	CACHE	CHCCSM014
Work effectively in trauma informed care	40	CABHG	CHCMHS007
Work with people with mental health issues	80	CABAE	CHCMHS001

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.