Diploma of Community Services

Course Description

This qualification reflects the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities.

At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management.

Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 400 hours of work placement as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.

The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Course Duration/Fee

Course Duration

: 104 Weeks

Mode of Delivery

Blended (Face to Face + Online)

Campuses:

• Parramatta
• Haymarket
• Perth

Intake Dates

2025	2026	2027	2028
27 January 2025	26 January 2026	25 January 2027	31 January 2028
21 April 2025	20 April 2026	19 April 2027	24 April 2028
14 July 2025	13 July 2026	12 July 2027	17 July 2028
6 October 2025	5 October 2026	11 October 2027	9 October 2028

Entry Requirements

The following are the Admission requirements of Lead college:

• Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of course commencement.
• Prospective students may be asked to undertake an LLN assessment or enrolment interview prior to acceptance.
• Must have completed Australian Year 11 or equivalent level of schooling or a Certificate III or higher qualification with an Australian institution.
• Must demonstrate English level of IELTS 6.0 overall with no band less than 5.5 or equivalent, such as:
  • IBT 60
  • PTE 50
  • CAE 169
  • OET C
  • Duolingo 95
  • General English Advanced*
  • MOI Certificate
  • Certificate III or higher qualification with an Australian institution.
• Must have the ability to carry out workshop training involving physical activity, including lifting.

* General English Upper Intermediate is generally considered to be between 5-5.5 IELTS.

Assessment

Assessment techniques may include, but are not limited to observation of performance, questioning, workbooks, practical tasks, simulation, interviews, third party reports, etc.

Award Requirements

Students will need to successfully complete all units in this course to receive certificate of CHC52021 Diploma of Community Service. Learners who partially complete the qualification will receive a Statement of Attainment for the units they are deemed competent.

It is mandatory to complete work placement hours to be eligible for attainment of this qualification.

Career Pathway

This qualification enables the student to seek employment in the following job roles:

• Community services worker
• Case manager
• Family support worker
• Client services manager
• Community development officer
• Service manager and/or program coordinator

Essential Information

Orientation to assist students is provided by Lead College as an age and culturally appropriate program. Please refer Pre-enrolment Information Pack at https://www.leadcollege.edu.au/pre-enrolment-form/ Students will be permitted to attend classes only after they have attended and completed the orientation session for the enrolled courses.

Recognition of prior learning rpl/ credit transfer

Lead College recognises qualifications issued by other RTOs. Lead College will accept and mutually recognise the qualifications and Statements of Attainment awarded by any other registered training organisation unless precluded by licensing requirements. We can also grant you Credit Transfer for subjects or units you have completed where equivalence can be established between the unit in your course, and the subject or unit you have completed.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where skills and knowledge that you have gained through work and life experience and other unrecognised training can be formally recognised.

During the entry process and interview stage Lead College will discuss with you the process and options for RPL. Suitability is often determined on how much experience you have in a certain area, your work history and previous training. If RPL is determined as a possibility for you, you will be provided with a kit that will guide you in working through each unit to determine relevant skills and experience and identify whether you would be able to provide the required evidence.

Unique student identifier (USI) requirement

USI is needed for all students studying with Lead College. From 1 January 2015 for undertaking Nationally Recognised Training delivered by a Registered Training Organisation the students will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). The USI is available online and at no cost to the student. This USI will stay with the student for life and be recorded with any nationally recognised VET course that is completed. Please see the official USI website https://www.usi.gov.au. The student after enrolment is required to create USI (Unique Student Identifier) or allow Lead College to create an USI on their behalf.

Student support welfare and guidance services

Relevant resources are available at Lead College to ensure that the students settle in well, smoothly transit life in new places and achieve the required level of competency in all accredited courses. Our staff assists in how to seek help with local welfare and guidance services.

Orientation

Orientation to assist students is provided by Lead College as an age and culturally appropriate program. Please refer Pre-enrolment Information Pack at https://www.leadcollege.edu.au/pre-enrolment-form/ Students will be permitted to attend classes only after they have attended and completed the orientation session for the enrolled courses.

Pathway From Qualification

After completing CHC52021– Diploma of Community Services you may progress to higher education courses.

Units Of Competency

The CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services requires the completion of the following 20 Units (including 12 core and 8 electives).

Core Units – 12
HLTWHS003	Maintain work health and safety
CHCLEG003	Manage legal and ethical compliance
CHCDIV001	Work with diverse people
CHCCCS007	Develop and implement service programs
CHCDIV002	Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCCSM013	Facilitate and review case management
CHCCCS019	Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCDFV001	Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
CHCDEV005	Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services
CHCMGT005	Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
CHCPRP003	Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCCCS004	Assess co-existing needs

Elective Units – 8
CHCMHS004	Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCCSL001	Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCCSL002	Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
CHCDIS017	Facilitate community participation and social inclusion
CHCMHS001	Work with people with mental health issues
CHCDIV003	Manage and promote diversity
CHCCOM003	Develop workplace communication strategies
CHCADV002	Provide advocacy and representation services

** Please note: Electives are subject to change to meet client and industry requirements.