Course Overview
Diploma of Community Services is designed to provide you with knowledge and skills in community development, casework and group work.
This community services course prepares you to work as a social welfare worker, and provides you with an understanding of human rights, cultural inclusion, Indigenous culture, issues and strategies for effective service delivery.
Our Diploma of Community Services is also ACWA (Australian Community Workers Association) Accredited, which requires the completion of 400 hours of practical placement hours within a Community Service setting.
Before you can start your practical placement, you will need to provide the following compulsory requirements:
• A valid Working with Children Check (Volunteer)
• A satisfactory National Police Check – National Police checks are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using the student's name and the Kangan Institute issued student email address, once studies in the program have commenced. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
To enroll with Kangan to complete this course, you are no longer mandated to have evidence of your COVID 19 Vaccination. It is important to note that as a part of your studies, you will be required to complete a placement component where vaccination requirements remain mandated. You will need to be able to provide evidence of your vaccination status prior to a placement being allocated.
Free TAFE and JobTrainer
You may be entitled to free tuition fees for this course if you meet the eligibility criteria for the State Government's FREE TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. If you are aged 17-24 or looking for work, you may be eligible for 80% discount on the tuition fee through JobTrainer. It's important to know that you may incur other fees, such as student services fees or materials fees, and you'll need to cover these costs yourself. To find out more, call 13 TAFE (13 8233).
Normally a Skills First student is only entitled to one Free TAFE fee waiver. However, you may be able to enrol even if you have previously used your Free TAFE entitlement in a second Free TAFE course under JobTrainer. You may be able to get an exemption if you don't meet the upskilling requirement.
Click here for course modules
Core
| Module Code | Module Title | Nominal Hours |
| CHCCCS007 | Develop and implement service programs (CHCCCS007) | 100 |
| CHCCOM003 | Develop workplace communication strategies (CHCCOM003) | 100 |
| CHCDEV002 | Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services (CHCDEV002) | 100 |
| CHCDIV003 | Manage and promote diversity (CHCDIV003) | 80 |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance (CHCLEG003) | 80 |
| CHCMGT005 | Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes (CHCMGT005) | 120 |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice (CHCPRP003) | 120 |
| HLTWHS004 | Manage work health and safety (HLTWHS004) | 40 |
Elective
| Module Code | Module Title | Nominal Hours |
| CHCADV002 | Provide advocacy and representation services (CHCADV002) | 80 |
| CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs (CHCCCS004) | 80 |
| CHCCDE011 | Implement community development strategies (CHCCDE011) | 70 |
| CHCCSL001 | Establish and confirm the counselling relationship (CHCCSL001) | 100 |
| CHCCSM005 | Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management (CHCCSM005) | 75 |
| CHCDEV001 | Confirm client developmental status (CHCDEV001) | 60 |
| CHCMHS005 | Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues (CHCMHS005) | 90 |
| CHCMHS013 | Implement trauma informed care (CHCMHS013) | 80 |
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed throughout the course, assessments may include written, oral or practical assessments. These assessments are designed to show that you have achieved the skills and knowledge required in order to achieve this qualification. Your teacher will provide you information on how you will be assessed for each unit. We use a online Learning Platform to communicate to students, distribute learning materials and assessment. Your assessment will be required to be submitted using our Online Platform also.
There is the opportunity for re-assessment and appeal, which you can discuss with your teacher.
Additional comments
This is one of the Free TAFE courses. This means that eligible applicants will not pay for tuition, but are still required to pay for their materials, consumables and student services fee.
For more information on free TAFE courses with Kangan Institute, please visit https://www.kangan.edu.au/free-tafe-for-priority-courses/faq
What will I study?
The Diploma of Community Services course emphasises developing your understanding of the structures of our society and on the impact of your own values and self-awareness on their practice. You will study groupwork, casework, psychology, sociology, counselling, social policy, research, legal issues. Each subject area comprises off-the-job, (classroom-based) and on-the-job (workplace-based learning).
You will be required to undertake 16 units of study. Please see the list of modules for more details about the units.
Some or all of this training is provided with State or Federal Government funding. Are you eligible for Government Subsidised fees? Find out now!
You may be eligible for concession. Find out now!
To you check your eligibility click here.
Free TAFE and JobTrainer courses only: Students eligible for Free TAFE receive the tuition rate free. Students eligible for JobTrainer pay 20% of the tuition. Materials, consumables and student services fees are payable by all students and do not receive a JobTrainer discount, however concession rates for student services fees are available for concession card holders, apprentices, trainees and 100% off campus delivery courses. Please note that these tuition rates only apply to courses offered under the Free TAFE or JobTrainer schemes.
The fees listed below relate to 2022 courses and are indicative pricing only as total costs vary depending on the units you elect to study.
Concessions for Diploma and Advanced Diploma course categories are only available to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.
Payment plans are available. Click here to find out more.
Course availability is subject to enrolment numbers.
Your total course fee will typically include your tuition fee (table 1), any applicable consumables and/or material fees (table 2).
Table 1
Enrolment type
Government Subsidised
Indicative total tuition fee#
Full Fee
Indicative total tuition fee#
Non-Apprentice
$8374.38
$1674.88
$17969.53
Apprentice/Trainee
$N/A
$N/A
$N/A
Table 2
Average course
material fees*
$262.95
Average course
consumable fees*
$75.00
# The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
* Materials/Consumables fees may vary for each individual based on the units they are studying.
Average tuition fees are based on the typical number of student contact hours undertaken by a student to complete this course. Average fees displayed are purely indicative and may not be your actual fee. Fees vary based on the number/hours of electives chosen by the student.
Click here to view maximum tuition fees. We strongly urge you to contact us for a more exact calculation of your fees. Additional fees may apply.
Your total course fee will typically include your tuition fee and non-tuition fees (table 1) and any applicable consumables and/or material fees (table 2).
student contact hours
|
Total hours^
|
Indicative hours*
|
Government Subsidised $/SCH
|
Indigenous Concession $/SCH
|
Full fee $/SCH
|
|
1375
|
1375
|
$6.09
|
$1.22
|
$13.07
|
^This is based on the maximum number of student contact hours for the total duration of the course. Hours may vary depending on electives chosen by the student.
*This is based on the maximum number of student contact hours for the calendar year of 2022. Hours may vary depending on electives chosen by the student. If you have to undertake training as part of Skills Recognition, your tuition fees are charged according to the applicable rate per Student Contact Hour depending on your eligibility for government subsidised, concession or full fees.
For more information about our fees structure, click here.
What costs and other fees should I expect?
Call or email the Contact Centre on 13 TAFE (13 8233) or enquiries@kangan.edu.au for a fee schedule. There may be extra costs for reference books, protective clothing or specialised materials.
Please note
As all of our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning and we use a online Learning Platform we recommend for all students undertaking the course that they have a suitable and stable internet connection, have access to a portable device ie laptop to be able to access classes, class and learning materials and upload assessments.
Can I apply?
There are no set prerequisites for this course. However it is highly recommended that you have satisfactory numeracy and literacy skills to undertake this course or are mature age and have sufficient work experience.
You may apply if you have satisfactorily completed VCE or an approved equivalent course and the satisfactory completion of the work requirements (eligibility to transfer) or are mature age and have sufficient work experience to successfully undertake the course. (Mature age is anyone over the age of 18 who has been out of full-time education for more than 12 months.)
There is a mandatory practical placement component to this qualification of 400 hours. Potential students must obtain a National Police Check (NPC) and Working With Children's Check WWCC with no disclosure before undertaking the practical placement.
Students will be required to be able to use a personal computer, including basic word processing, spread sheet, and electronic communication platforms and internet search engines
Please note:
As all of our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning and we use a online Learning Platform we recommend for all students undertaking the course that they have a suitable and stable internet connection, have access to a portable device ie laptop to be able to access classes, class and learning materials and upload assessments.
Where and how can I study?
Classes will be delivered at our Broadmeadows campus and in community based learning environments. The course will be delivered face-to-face on a full-time basis. There is no online delivery or part-time option for this course. Students will also undertake practical placement at the end of both the first and second year.
What employment opportunities will I have?
Our Diploma of Community Services will prepare you to work as a professional social welfare worker. You may seek employment in local, state and federal government departments or in a range of family and community service agencies. Graduates may work with individuals, family groups and communities.
Anticipated employment opportunities include the following:
- Family service worker
- Community Development workers
- Support workers
- Case management worker
- Child protection workers,
- Drug and alcohol workers,
- Family and domestic violence worker
- Housing workers
- Residential youth workers,
- Mental health support workers
What skills will I have when I complete this course?
Students will develop basic skills in casework, counselling, case management, community development and group work. This course is designed to ensure a balance between theory and practice in social welfare work.
What qualifications will I receive?
On successful completion of the course you will be awarded the Diploma of Community Services. As part of the Australian Qualifications Framework this program is nationally recognised.
What opportunities for further studies will I have?
Students completing this course can undertake further studies at the Advanced Diploma or university level.
You may also like to study one of our short courses https://www.kangan.edu.au/tafe-courses/course-in-identifying-and-responding-to-family-violence-risk-3820
How do I apply?
To apply for this course you may click on the yellow 'Apply Here' tab. This course also has a mid-year intake.
As part of the enrolment process we recommend you attend an information session, you will be require to complete Literacy, Language and Numeracy online assessment, suitability task, and pre training review interview.
How will I be selected for this course?
As part of the enrolment process we recommend you attend an information session, which you will find detail so on how to register in our course information pages.
You will be require to complete Literacy, Language and Numeracy online assessment and pre training review interview.
Applicants are expected to have a demonstrated capacity in learning, reading, writing, oracy and numeracy competencies to Level 4 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
Please note:
As all of our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning and we use a online Learning Platform we recommend for all students undertaking the course that they have a suitable and stable internet connection, have access to a portable device ie laptop to be able to access classes, class and learning materials and upload assessments.