Diploma of Community Services

The Diploma of Community Services is a two-year qualification for people who want to work directly with individuals, families and communities in Australia. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree, and it is built around the practical side of community work: case management, client assessment, referral, advocacy, group work and community development. You learn how to talk to people in crisis, how to write case notes that stand up to scrutiny, how to work within legal and ethical boundaries, and how to connect clients to housing, income support, counselling and health services.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are usually delivered over four semesters, or the equivalent in trimesters, and each unit of study carries a set credit point value. The exact unit list and credit points are set by Global Healthcare Management College, so check the official course page and the CRICOS register entry (course code 118840B) for the current structure. Expect a mix of classroom-based units and a supervised work placement in a community services organisation, because this field expects graduates to have real hours on the job before they qualify. Placement is a standard part of community services training in Australia and is where most students work out what kind of service they want to work in.

What you study and the skills you build

Core study areas cover case management, professional communication, legal and ethical compliance, working with culturally diverse clients, responding to domestic and family violence, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and community development. Assessment is typically a blend of written tasks, role plays, case studies and observed workplace performance. By the end you should be able to conduct an intake interview, develop a case plan with a client, make appropriate referrals, advocate on someone's behalf, and keep records that meet organisational and legal standards.

Who this suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a direct route into community services without committing to a three-year degree, as well as mature-age students changing careers from aged care, disability support, education or administration. It also suits people already working in the sector who need a formal qualification to move into a case management or team leader role. If you later want to go further, credit from a diploma can sometimes be applied towards a bachelor degree in social work or community services, though how much credit you receive depends on the receiving institution. International students should note that English requirements for social work and community services are often higher than for other fields, and the Department of Home Affairs sets its own separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, a student visa generally allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Confirm all details on the official page.

• Community services worker, direct support and case work in neighbourhood centres, family support services and multicultural organisations.
• Case manager or case worker, coordinating support plans for clients in housing, family violence, mental health or child protection settings.
• Support worker in disability or aged care, one of the largest employers of diploma-qualified staff in Australia.
• Community development officer, working with local councils, NGOs and community groups on programmes and projects.
• Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) worker, supporting clients in treatment and rehabilitation services.
• Youth worker, in schools, youth centres, refuges and outreach services.
• Family violence support worker, in women's refuges, crisis services and court support programmes.
• Team leader or coordinator, supervising support workers once you have experience in the sector.

Hiring industries include community health, disability services, aged care, child and family services, housing and homelessness, youth services, and government and non-government community programmes.