The CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services will teach you how to listen to and understand people’s problems, background and circumstances, and to counsel them on the areas they are struggling with. You will also learn to help clients by setting them up with support systems and networks, and develop plans which will address their immediate and long term struggles.
The Diploma will train you to assess clients, work out what they need and link them in with services that will meet those needs. You will learn how to monitor client progress and deal with set-backs, roadblocks and issues if they arise.
As part of your CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services studies you will also learn how to navigate, work with and manage legal and ethical compliance frameworks, policies and procedures. The Diploma will give you the skills and knowledge you need to advise and supervise other Community Service Workers’ case management practice, as well as to manage budgets and financial plans, and undertake project work.
For Victorian students only:
This course is not suitable for students wishing to work in child protection practice in Victoria. Please see the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) website for suitable courses.
If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note – limitations do apply.
There are no formal education entry requirements for this course.
You will need to be at least 18 years old.
This course involves reading learning content and undertaking a range of written assessments and engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 12 level.
If you haven’t successfully completed English at Year 12 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following:
Open Colleges recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standard. See the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Considerations section for more information on tools, resources and support services provided by Open Colleges.
You will need access to a computer and the internet and have basic computing skills. Minimum specifications for your computer are:
All users:
Windows users:
Mac OS users:
You will require access to office equipment and resources including telephone, photocopier, scanner and printer.
To successfully complete this course, you will require basic computing skills. This includes:
You will need access to:
Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here.
Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements. Please download the course guide for current information about the course and its status.
Manage and promote diversity
Develop workplace communication strategies
Develop and implement service programs
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
Manage legal and ethical compliance
Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
Manage work health and safety
Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
Confirm client developmental status
Provide First Aid
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
Reflect on and improve own professional practice
Provide case management supervision
Manage budgets and financial plans
Undertake project work
Pay in Full
You can choose to pay your course fees in full upon enrolment and benefit from a 10% discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Pay 50% & Payment Plan Combo
You can also choose to pay 50% of your total course fees upon enrolment and the balance on a Payment Plan. When you do, you’ll benefit from 50% of the standard Pay in Full discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Payment Plan
You can choose to pay for your course in weekly or fortnightly instalments. By paying in instalments, you can schedule your payments around your regular outgoings and get ahead without breaking the bank. Open Colleges payment plans are interest-free.
Zip Money Payment Plan
If you need a little more flexibility with your finances and would like to pay off your course fees over a longer period of time, we can assist by organising Zip Money to pay your course fees directly to us on your behalf, and you pay this loan back to Zip Money over an agreed period of time. Zip Money provides you flexible options of selecting a 24, 36 or 48 months interest-free, payment plan (dependant on which course you’re enrolling into) to suit your lifestyle, giving you more flexibility than ever before.
BPAY®
With BPAY®, you’re able to pay quickly and securely, 24/7 through your internet, mobile or phone banking service. You can choose when, how much and from which account to pay from – whatever works for you. BPAY® is only available when paying in full. Call an Enrolment Consultant to find out more.
BPAY® is a trademark of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518. Check if BPAY® is right for you by reading the terms and conditions available from your Financial Institution.
Rosan Lal has worked in the Community Services sector for over 20 years. His experience includes working with international and local volunteers and students in numerous developing countries and has developed many innovative community services projects. In addition, Rosan has worked in the Disability sector. He holds a Diploma of Community Services, Diploma of Business and Leadership, Certificate IV Training and Assessment and is completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Project Management.
Currently Rosan is a Director of ACATA Australia, a not-for profit organisation that partners with Australian colleges and universities to deliver effective community services projects focusing on social development and change.
Rychelle worked as a Residential Youth Worker with high risk young people for many years. She currently works as a Youth Education Trainer, teaching work-related and personal development skills. Rychelle enjoys being able to make a difference in young people’s lives by giving them opportunities to learn new things. Rychelle is a Trainer and Assessor at a well-known RTO for all community services courses. She enjoys giving other people an insight into what it takes, and how rewarding it is, to be a worker in the community services sector. Rychelle is currently completing her Bachelor of Social Work with an interest in child and adolescent psychology.
Sarah has passionately worked in the training and assessment sector for almost 10 years, specialising in adult education for international students, new migrants and refugees. She holds a double degree in Bachelor of Arts (Social & Community Studies) and a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition). She presently delivers programs in the South Australian community as a Learning and Development Consultant, focusing on supporting individuals working through mental ill-health experiences and their recovery.
Sarah also works for ACATA Trust Fiji, as their Senior Community Health Education Officer (Nutritionist). Sarah has experience teaching around the world and has recently returned from living and volunteering in Fiji with the Australian Red Cross for some time.
You will need to undertake your work placement in an organisation involved in the delivery of community services to clients. The workplace will need to be able to provide you with access to resources. The specific requirements of the workplace are outlined in the Workplace Assessment Guide. Your workplace assessor will ascertain whether the workplace is appropriate.
It is recommended that you commence your work placement after successfully completing the theory components within Modules 1-3. This ensures that you develop a good foundation of knowledge prior to entering the workplace.
All costs of work placement including any placement fees charged by the host organisation (whether to the student or OC), cost of statutory checks and vaccinations, travel, accommodation and uniforms are the responsibility of the student.