Advocate for social justice and build stronger communities.
You will learn skills in consultation, community program development, group work, advocacy, case management, policy and research. You will also learn skills in the management of finances, work safety and the work environment. You will undertake projects that involve working as part of a team and with the community. As part of this qualification you will undertake a supervised work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.
The course is delivered over 12 months and is grouped into 3 stages (approx. 40 weeks). Each stage comprises of a grouping of units which sequentially builds skills and knowledge for the qualification.
Stage 1 comprises of units relating to workplace safety, compliance, diversity and communication which provide the knowledge and foundation for the remaining units
Stage 2 comprises of units which relate specifically to the specialist areas of these qualifications in the areas of Counselling, Community Development and Youth Work.
Stage 3 comprises of units that relate to working with complex individuals and managing services for clients in crisis.
Enhance your employment options by doing a dual qualification
If you choose to enrol in additional units you can gain a dual qualification with one of the below. These options are discussed with students prior to enrolling.
CHC50413 | Diploma of Youth Work(opens in a new tab)
This qualification reflects the role of people with responsibility for the development and the outcomes of programs and services for young people managed through a range of agencies and designed to meet the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs of young people. This work may be undertaken through employment in community, government and welfare agencies.
CHC51015 | Diploma of Counselling(opens in a new tab) (*Not a half price qualification)
This qualification reflects the role of counsellors, who work with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling modalities. They use communication, micro-counselling and interviewing skills and draw on varied counselling therapies to assist clients. At this level, the counsellor will be working in defined and supported counselling roles in established agencies rather than in independent practice.
If learners complete all the units on the timetable, plus have completed CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth Work and CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services, they will gain certification in CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services, CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling and CHC51413 Diploma of Youth Work.
Half price fees apply!
Please note: This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.
This course is half price for everyone (excl. school students) as part of the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative. Fees are also capped at $1,200; or $400 if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. Find out more here.
^ You’ll pay half price course fees on Lower fees, Local Skills qualifications, however please note other fees may apply such as for resources that are specifically needed for your course.
This course is available online.
^ Online availability varies at each campus. Some qualifications may require practical training and assessments to be done in person.
This course is eligible for a VET student loan. To see if you're eligible and to find more visit our Student Loans page.
This course includes work placement or live works in a Group 1 or Group 2 industry as outlined in COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policy. For the latest information on vaccine requirements for students visit our COVID-19 update page.
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Entrance requirements
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Course requirements
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Work placement
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Important information
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Job opportunities
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Further Study
School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
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Completion of WACE General or ATAR (Minimum C Grades) or equivalent | Completion of WACE General or ATAR or equivalent (minimum C Grades) | Certificate III |
RTO Entry Requirements
Learners are required to provide evidence of having sufficient language, literacy and numeracy skills to successfully undertake the program's academic and workplace experience requirements, prior to commencing the program.
The Central Regional TAFE Website states the following entry requirements:
- School Leaver
- Completion of WACE General or ATAR (Minimum C Grades) or equivalent
- Completion of WACE General or ATAR (Minimum C Grades) or equivalent
- Non-School Leaver
- Completion of WACE General or ATAR or equivalent (minimum C Grades)
- AQF Certificate III
All applicants that have not completed CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services and CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth will need to meet with lecturing staff prior to enrolment to discuss the possibility of Recognition for Prior Learning for all the units that are delivered in Certificate IV Community and/or Youth. These units are outlined in the Qualification packaging rules below.
While there is no requirements under the qualification packaging rules for prior completion of Certificate IV in Community Services or Certificate IV in Youth Work, students without these qualifications will not have all the units required for the qualification as they will be missing the units delivered in Certificate IV.
A current National Police Clearance and Working with Children’s Check are required prior to work placement and employment in most youth and community agencies. An Education Department Check is also required for organisations funded by the Education Department.
Potential learners with convictions are asked to discuss these with a lecturer as they will impact on placement. Learners are encouraged to have any convictions they may have Spent if possible. Some convictions will mean placement will be unavailable. Without placement learners are unable to complete the course.
Learners will be interviewed during enrolment and a Client Needs Summary will be completed to identify any limitations to these requirements and actions planned to address these limitations.
Industry Requirements
Students are required to obtain the following:
- Working with Children’s Check
- National Police Clearance
- Current COVID-19 Vaccinations
National Police Clearance must be no older than 6 months at time of enrolment. Working with Children Check (valid for 3 years).
Work Placement
This course includes work placement or live works in a Group 1 or Group 2 industry as outlined in COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policy. For the latest information on vaccine requirements for students visit our COVID-19 updates page.
Work Placement provides a practical opportunity for students to develop skills in a real life situations. A work placement is required for this course. Work placement provides students with work-based experiences in vocational areas and opportunities to explore the workplace thus enabling students to better prepare themselves for the transition from a training institute to work.
To achieve CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services and CHC50413 Diploma of Youth Work students must meet the requirements of CHCDEV002 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services which requires 100 hours minimum of field placement.
At Central Regional TAFE Geraldton we require students to complete 200 hours of placement for the combined qualification of CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services Work and CHC50413 Diploma of Youth Work. We provide extra placement for these qualifications to provide opportunities for students to practice the skills in the work environment rather than always using a simulated environment.
Please note: This qualification is in transition, and the course code is subject to change.
You must enrol in Semester 1 for the full year and can also undertake the Diploma of Youth Work concurrently.
VET Student Loans
This qualification is eligible for the Commonwealth Government's VET Student Loan scheme. Eligible students can opt to defer the payment of all or part of their tuition fees by applying for a VET Student Loan. VET Student Loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements. Approved loans become a personal debt with the Commonwealth (HELP debt) until it is repaid.
For more information on VET Student Loans at Central Regional TAFE click here.
For other VET Student Loan eligible courses please click here(opens in a new tab) .
Certificaton
Upon successful completion you will receive a Diploma in Community Services. If you successfully complete the necessary additional units you will receive a dual Diploma in either Community Services and Youth Workor Community Services and Counselling.
Job opportunities include:
- Migrant Support Worker
- Community Health Worker
- Family Support Worker
- Welfare Rights Worker
- Youth Worker
- Counsellor
- Aged Care Activity Worker
- Coordinator of Volunteers
- Disability Support Worker
- Personal Care Giver
- Respite Care Worker
For more information about job and career pathways, visit JobOutlook(opens in a new tab) or Jobs and Skills WA
Please note: This list is a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
We offer a range of further study opportunities, view our course list here.
Study options and how to apply
Click on your preferred study option below to get started with your application or enrolment.