Diploma of Community Services

Free TAFE
Free TAFE Pathways Program
Course Code CHC52015
Locations Warrnambool

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Study Mode Part-time, On Campus
Length Two years
Commencement July 2023
Timetable One day a week (Monday), 9am - 3:30pm and one day a week structured self-directed learning at a time that suits you.
You will also be required to undertake placement during the course, 140 hours of placement in the first year and 260 hours of placement in the second year.
Note This qualification is superseded and course updates are occurring.
Course Overview
Introduction

This qualification will give you the tools and knowledge needed to provide a range of services and interventions to clients within the community service sector.

This course gives you real-life industry experience where you will gain knowledge and skills in working with individuals, groups and whole communities through 400 hours of work placement.

This is an Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) accredited course. This is a generalist course and offers a wide range of employment opportunities upon graduation in a large range of contexts.

Mode of delivery

One day a week (Monday), 9am - 3:30pm and one day a week structured self-directed learning at a time that suits you.

You will also be required to undertake placement during the course, 140 hours of placement in the first year and 260 hours of placement in the second year.

Course Outcomes and Career Opportunities

  • Community services worker
  • Family support worker
  • Welfare worker
  • Case manager
  • Child protection clinician
  • Advocate
  • Homeless support worker
  • Youth justice worker
  • Community corrections worker
  • Student welfare coordinator
  • Family violence case worker
  • Community development worker

Pathways

This course offers a pathway into the Bachelor of Social Work at Deakin University, Warrnambool Campus.

Placement

This course includes industry experience where you will gain knowledge and skills in working with individuals, groups and whole communities. This experience is gained through 140 hours of placement in the first year and 260 hours of placement in the second year.

You will be required to hold a Working with Children Check (volunteer) and pass a police check prior to commencing placement.

Information Session

Why don’t you come along to our next course info session to find out everything you need to start your learning journey? You can chat with our teachers, tour our facilities, learn more about the course, find out about the application process and get your questions answered by our course experts. 

Find the next info session near you

Course in Transition

This qualification is superseded and course updates are occurring.

To ensure course content is relevant and industry-specific, industry is constantly having input into this training package. The course code, title, units, and content may change in the future and you may be enrolled in the new qualification. Further information will be provided on our website, upon enrolment and/or during the course of your training.

Course Requirements
Entrance requirements & pre-requisites

  • you must be over 18 yrs of age at the time of class commencing 
  • complete a written entrance questionnaire 
  • undertake a selection interview with course teaching staff
  • be able to pass Working with Children Checks, Police Checks/NDIS worker screening immediately prior to undertaking mandatory work placements. Although this is not an entry requirement in itself, inability to complete mandatory work placement due to failing these requirements will preclude students from completing the course and gaining the qualification

Course requirements

To be eligible for this qualification you must successfully complete 16 units: 8 core and 8 elective.

You will be required to hold a clear Working with Children Check (volunteer), police check/NDIS worker screening prior to commencing placement.

Units offered

Core Units

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Unit Code Unit Name Unit Hours Unit Consumables
CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs 100 $0.00
CHCCOM003 Develop workplace communication strategies 100 $0.00
CHCDEV002 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services 100 $0.00
CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity 80 $0.00
CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance 80 $0.00
CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes 120 $0.00
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice 120 $0.00
HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety 40 $0.00

Elective Units

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Unit Code Unit Name Unit Hours Unit Consumables
CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services 90 $0.00
CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs 80 $0.00
CHCCDE011 Implement community development strategies 70 $0.00
CHCCSL003 Facilitate the counselling relationship and process 120 $135.00
CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management 75 $0.00
CHCDEV001 Confirm client developmental status 60 $0.00
CHCDFV006 Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence 70 $135.00
CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities 70 $0.00
CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care 80 $135.00
Assessment

This course involves accredited units.  You will be required to complete assessment tasks to demonstrate your underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the course outcomes.  A combination of written, oral and practical assessment strategies will be used in either a classroom, online or workplace environment. 

Where units require demonstration of skills in a workplace environment, you will have the opportunity to do this either in your own workplace (where appropriate), through a practical placement, or by using one of the organisation's simulated workshops/classrooms.  Detailed information about the types, conduct and dates of assessments will be provided in advance.  You will also be provided with information about the opportunity for reassessment and appeal.

After applying

Once you have applied for your chosen course, you will receive a thank you email from South West TAFE with a few steps to help process your enrolment.

Complete a Pre-Training Review
You will receive an email to complete a Pre-Training Review online evaluation. This evaluation helps us tailor your training to suit your needs.

Create or provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
A USI is a nationally recognised reference number that provides an online record of your training qualifications gained in Australia.
Create your USI
Already have a USI but can’t remember it? Find your USI

Skills recognition
If you have experience or prior qualifications, you may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning and gain credits. You will be asked to provide any relevant Statement of Attainment to support identified credits.

Fees
Course Fees

Here's an outline of fees and costs associated with your course.

Your fees each year can be made up of 3 different elements.  Everyone has different circumstances that can affect what you pay and how much you pay. :

  1. Tuition fees - charged as an hourly rate that varies from course to course. A large portion of the tuition is subsidised by the Victorian Government for eligible students.
  2. Resource and/or materials costs - covers the cost of materials and other incidentals. This fee will vary according to the course being undertaken.
  3. Booklist items - such as textbooks, equipment and stationery recommended for your course

Tuition fees

There are 4 different rates of tuition fees. Only one will apply to you (depending on your eligibility and circumstances). 

  1. Government Subsidised Fee - you could be eligible for a government-subsidised rate under the Skills First funding depending on your age, educational history, and citizenship or residency status. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training.
    Find out more about subsidised training

  2. Government Subsidised Concession Fee - If you are eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place and hold a current healthcare or pension card, that you can provide at enrolment, you may be eligible for the concession rate. Note, the concession rate is not applicable to Diploma level courses.
    Find out more about concession rates

  3. If the course is a Free TAFE course or part of the Free TAFE Pathways Program - Eligible students will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). Any resource or material costs, or booklist items for this course are listed in the table below.
    Find out more about Free TAFE
    Find out more about Free TAFE Pathways Programs

  4. Full fee - If you are not eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place, exemption, concession or are enrolling in a course that isn't government-subsidised, you may be required to pay the full fee rate.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FEES AND ELIGIBILITY

The fees listed below are indicative only. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Funding made available to eligible individuals by State and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect future opportunities to access additional funding in the future.

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Course fees by student type Indicative Course Fee
Government subsidised rate (if eligible) $11,060.00
Full fee rate (if not eligible for govt subsidy) $11,060.00
This is a Free TAFE course

Students who are eligible for Free TAFE place will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.

Find out more about Free TAFE courses and eligibility or contact our Customer Service team.

This course is part of the Free TAFE Pathways Program

A Free TAFE Pathways Program is a group of courses that complement each other to help you continue to train for the career and industry you may wish to work in. For eligible students, these courses are tuition fee free. Depending on the course, you may still be required to pay material fees. The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.

Find out more about the Free TAFE Pathways Program and eligibility or contact us.

Resource and/or materials costs

Some courses require specific resources or materials necessary for your study eg: tools of the trade, excursions, etc. Final costs will be determined upon enrolment.

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Additional course fees Indicative Course Fee
Course consumable/materials (approximate) $405.00
Booklist

Your course may require you to purchase additional materials or books. You can choose where to purchase these items from. You can download the booklist for this course here: HERE

How do I pay my fees?

Once we have processed your enrolment form, you will receive an email with your invoice.

You have three options when organising your payment:

  1. Upfront payment - can be made over the phone with EFTPOS
  1. Payment plan - can be directly debited from your bank account, debited from your Centrelink payments or via a VET Student Loan (for diploma or advanced diploma courses only)
  1. Paid by employer, school or job network agency - if your fees are being paid by your employer, school or job network agency, you will need to complete an Authority to Invoice form.

Payments will need to be arranged within five(5) business days of receiving the email containing your invoice.

We also offer a range of scholarships each year which you may be eligible to apply for to assist with course fees.

Next Steps
How to apply

There are five simple steps to apply for a course with us.

  1. Apply - complete a short online application form. Once this form is submitted we'll send you a thank you email.
  2. Get ready - your thank-you email will contain links to a pre-training review, to a unique student identifier and to government-subsidised training eligibility.
  3. Chat with your teacher - your teacher or course specialist will contact you about your Pre-Training Review outcomes and additional course information.
  4. Enrol - after chatting with your teacher, you will receive an email with your enrolment form and a link to verify your identity.
  5. Sign - once you've completed your enrolment, you will receive a declaration form to review and sign.

If need any assistance with applying, contact our Customer Service team on 1300 648 911 or visit your nearest campus.

Careers and Course Advice

Not sure which course is right for you? South West TAFE will help you find your way.

Our Careers Coaches at the Skills and Jobs Centre is here to support you. Whether you’re exploring career options, transitioning from school to the workforce or looking to study after school we’re here to help you.

Student Support

As a SWTAFE student, you can access a variety of support services that will enhance your study experience and help you complete your studies successfully. For more information about any of these services, visit our student page.