Diploma of Community Services

Overview

Develop the professional and empathetic skills to work within a community organisation to effectively assist individuals, families and communities in their social environments. You will gain the skills and knowledge for roles that involve service delivery, either direct client work and/or community education or development projects. Job opportunities include community services and case management work involved in the managing, coordinating 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.

Wodonga TAFE is a CWA accredited organisation, allowing our graduates to apply for positions within statutory organisations such as; Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Child Protection, Corrections and Juvenile Justice.

Successful completion of Certificate IV in Community Services will give you credits towards the Diploma of Community Services.

Where and When

Select a location to view course offerings and apply.

Duration

Full-time: 21 months

Requirements

• Successful applicants for this course will be required to obtain a Working with Children's Check, apply for a National Police check and may be required to apply for an NDIS Worker Clearance prior to field placement.
• Successful applicants for this course may be required to provide evidence of immunisation records (if placement occurs in a healthcare or aged care setting). This may include evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status, or a medical exemption.
• Completion of a supervised Language Literacy and Numeracy & Digital Assessment. Applicants will also be assessed on Literacy, Numeracy, and English Writing skills. Applicants must gain an Exit Level 3 or above for Reading and Exit Level 2, Working at Level 3 for Numeracy and Writing to meet the required eligibility for selection into the course. Information regarding this will be emailed to you on receipt of your application.

Field Placement

Students will participate in two field placements across the Diploma. Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of their first placement. Placement will be industry based and be approximately 200 hours each year (400 hours total must be completed). Classes are not scheduled during field placement blocks. The specific aims of the field placements are to:

• apply knowledge learnt during your course in the workplace
• gain skills recognised by industry;
• become familiar with employers' expectations;
• increase your employment options and employability skills;
• make contact with employers;
• meet the membership requirements of 400 hours of the Community Work Australia association and;
• meet the Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council work application requirements.

When enrolling into the course it is important to begin planning for the field placement requirements. Placements occur full time (five days per week) unless otherwise negotiated with the Placement Coordinator. It is recommended that placement occurs at least three days per week if a part-time mode is negotiated as this will reduce the impact on attendance with scheduled classes.

A Working With Children's Check (WWCC) and a National Police Check are mandatory for the participation and completion of placement. Industry partners will not provide field placement opportunities without these checks being undertaken. Evidence of the WWCC letter of approval or the WWCC identification card must be provided during orientation.

The NDIS Worker Clearance may be required across community services.

Successful applicants for this course may be required to provide evidence of immunisation records (if placement occurs in a healthcare or aged care setting). This may include evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status, or a medical exemption.

Assessment

The method of assessment varies and can include (but is not limited to):

• observation in the workplace or simulated environment
• written tasks, including quizzes
• research tasks, including projects
• portfolios
• oral presentations
• group work

Other Information

Applicants with relevant industry experience may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL). This is determined on a case by case basis.

Skills Developed

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.

Certification

By successfully completing this course you will receive a nationally recognised AQF Qualification that is also recognised by Community Work Australia.

This Diploma of Community Services qualification as delivered by Wodonga TAFE is accredited by Community Work Australia [www.communitywork.org.au}. As greater numbers of employers, including government departments, take a risk management approach to recruitment, they are increasingly relying on third-party endorsements from peak body organisations such as Community work Australia, for assurance that community service qualifications are sound and in line with industry requirements.

Compulsory Units

Fees

Fees Additional Information

Additional course costs that may apply Please note depending on individual circumstance there may be additional costs that apply throughout the completion of your qualification. These will be discussed further with your Course Coordinator, and may include:

• Working With Children Check
• National Police Check
• NDIS Worker Clearance
• Vaccination requirements
• Travel to placement.

The student tuition fees published are indicative only and can be subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. Funding made available to eligible individuals by State and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect future opportunities to access additional funding in the future. For more information see 'Fee information and eligibility' under the 'How to Apply' tab on the Wodonga TAFE website.

VET Student Loans may be available to eligible individuals. For more information, visit the 'VET Student Loans' page on our website (https://www.wodongatafe.edu.au/vetstudentloans)

Pathways

Complete your Diploma with Wodonga TAFE and continue to university studies. Start working in the industry following successful completion of your TAFE studies; to advance your skills and knowledge even further and enrol in a degree. With your TAFE qualification you are able to work in your chosen industry and gain experience while you study at university. Gain the best of both teaching styles and apply your real-world knowledge in day one of your new career! You may also be eligible for credits into further studies at university.

• Successful completion of Certificate IV in Community Services will give you credits towards the Diploma of Community Services.
• Successful completion of the Diploma of Community Services will reduce study time for higher education courses such as Bachelor of Social Work. This degree allows you to build on your Community Services qualifications and take the next step in your career. Build on a strong foundation of social work with a blend of sociology, psychology, and human services.

Careers

This Diploma of Community Services qualification as delivered by Wodonga TAFE is accredited by the Community Work Australia through a rigid registration process to ensure the course content meets industry requirements. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, as well as Corrections and Justice in Victoria only provides vocational education and training-level work experience and job opportunities to students from Community Work Australia-accredited courses, as do other government organisations in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland.

Employment opportunities may include roles in community services, or case management, or as social housing workers involved in the managing, coordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities. Related occupations may include: aged care or disability support worker; child or youth residential care assistant; community worker; community arts worker; disability services officer, drug and alcohol counsellor; family and marriage counsellor; family support worker; hostel parent; parole or probation officer; refuge worker; rehabilitation counsellor; residential care officer; social worker; therapy aide; welfare worker; youth worker.

How To Apply

Applying for a course at Wodonga TAFE is a simple 4-5 step process. You can learn more here: Understanding the application process

Click the Apply Now button in the list below for the time and location that interests you.