Diploma of Community Services

Course Code

CHC52015

Department

Community CoE

Study Area(s)

JobTrainer, Free TAFE, Community Services

Campus

BROADMEADOWS

Course Length

Full-time(18 months)

Click here to attend an information/enrolment session.

Start Date(s):	July 2021
End Date(s):	December 2022
Days and Time:	2 days per week

Apply Here

Course Overview

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we have adapted our course delivery to now encompass a combination of remote and flexible delivery methods. This includes easy to navigate online tutorials, video conferencing (classroom simulation) as well as face-to-face practical assessments and work placements – where safe and practical to implement. Therefore, you will require access to the internet and a computer to undertake this course.

Our flexible model allows you to continue to study in a safe, guided and fully supported manner with continued access to all learning, personal and wellbeing supports.

You will be advised by your facilitator on a case by case basis in relation to practical and work placement assessments, as some flexibility will be required during this challenging time.

Practical Placement is a mandatory component of this course. Kangan Institute will make efforts to secure an appropriate placement. Due to the current environment and circumstances outside our control, placements may be delayed. This may then impact the completion dates for this course and deferment of graduation.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a very popular course and places are limited. Classes are limited to 25 students.

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.

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. Job Trainer is only available till June 2021. 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 to show that you have achieved the skills and knowledge required by the course. Assessment may include written, oral, practical, and group assessment methods. You will be told in advance about the type of assessment and it's requirements.

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).

For course information, please call 13 TAFE (13 8233) or fill our enquiry form.

Click here to find out more about our Online Service Standards.

For information on disability support at Kangan Institute, click here.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Are you eligible for Government Subsidised fees? Find out now!

You may be eligible for concession. Find out now!

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.

The fees listed below relate to 2021 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) and non-tuition fees such as student support fees (table 3).

Table 1

Enrolment type

Government Subsidised
Indicative total tuition fee#

Concession
Indicative total tuition fee#
Check your eligibility

Full Fee
Indicative total tuition fee#

Non-Apprentice

$7975.00

$1595.00

$17531.25

Apprentice/Trainee

$N/A

Table 2

Average course
material fees^*

$262.95

Average course
consumable fees^*

$75.00

Scholarships Payment Plans

# 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 such as the Student Support Fee.

2021 Student Services Fee (Table 3)

	Type of cohort:
	Eligible full fee paying student (more than 125 SC hours)	Non eligible/FFS full fee paying student (more than 125 SC hours)	Special cohort classes: Concession card holders Apprentices Trainees Work based students (100% off campus delivery) Full online delivery (100% off campus delivery)	Any students studying less than 125 hours in the full year
Domestic student services fees for 2021:	$0.40 per student contact hour. $60 min total to $200 max total	$0.40 per student contact hour. $60 min total to $200 max total	$60 fixed fee	None

Exemptions

The following fee categories are exempt from the SSF -
ASH: Asylum Seeker Or Victim Of Human Trafficking Concession
ASZ: Asylum Seeker Or Victim Of Human Trafficking Non-concession
X: Community-based Orders/Judy Lazarus Transition Centre
OZ: International Student
M: Prisoner
YTC: Young People Transitioning From Care – Concession
YTN: Young People Transitioning From Care - No Concession
Short courses

student contact hours

Total hours^	Indicative hours*	Government Subsidised $/SCH	Indigenous Concession $/SCH	Full fee $/SCH
1375	1375	$5.80	$1.16	$12.75

^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 2021. 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.

Can I apply?

It is recommended that you have satisfactory numeracy and literacy skills to undertake this course or are mature age and have sufficient work experience to successfully undertake the course. OR 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). A clear police record and Working with Children Check are required for employment in this area prior to student placement.

Where and how can I study?

PLEASE NOTE: This is a very popular course and places are limited. Classes are limited to 25 students.

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.

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.

How do I apply?

To apply for this course you may click on the yellow 'Apply Here' tab. Alternatively, you can also register for one of our information sessions through the website. This course also has a mid-year intake.

How will I be selected for this course?

You will need to attend a course information session and complete a literacy and numeracy assessment. Selection will be partially based on your life experience, maturity and understanding of social justice issues. A high level Literacy and Numeracy skills will be required for selection into this course.