Diploma of Community Services

Become a champion for social change with our 104‑week Diploma of Community Services. Delivered in Melbourne’s city centre, this qualification empowers you to support individuals and communities through meaningful programs and coordinated services.

Find Out More About the Diploma of Community Services

Ready to make a real impact in your community? Connect with one of our friendly course advisors to explore how this qualification can help you build a rewarding career in the community services sector.

Diploma of Community Services

Completing this course can open up opportunities for employment or further learning. Potential career paths include various community services management roles, while further education options may include the CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management or a higher education qualification in community services.

Course Information

Course Overview

The Diploma of Community Services prepares you to take on meaningful roles in the coordination, delivery, and management of person-centred support for individuals, groups, and communities.

You’ll develop specialised skills to work independently and confidently across a variety of settings, helping people improve their personal and social wellbeing. The course also covers key areas such as case management, program coordination, and the supervision of staff and volunteers.

To successfully complete this qualification, students must undertake a minimum of 200 hours of work placement, providing valuable real-world experience in community service environments.

All skills and knowledge are applied in line with current legislation, industry standards, and ethical practices, ensuring you graduate ready to make a lasting impact.

  • Be at least 18 years of age and have completed the equivalent of Year 12
  • Participate in a course entry interview to determine suitability for the course and student needs
  • have an IELTS* score of 6.0 (test results must be no more than 2 years old). English language competence can also be demonstrated through documented evidence of any of the following:
  1. Educated for 5 years in an English-speaking country
  2. Successful completion of an English Placement Test at IELTS level 6.0. 

Note that other English language tests such as PTE and TOEFL can be accepted. You are required to provide your results so that we can confirm they are equivalent to IELTS 6.0. 

Resource Requirements

  • Must have access to a computer (with Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word and a web browser)
  • Must have access to Internet
  • 2 GB or more of RAM (8 GB recommended)
  • Hard disk space of 4 GB or more of available hard-disk space for 64-bit installation; additional free space required during installation.

Additional Requirements:

  • A Federal Police Check (name check), no more than 6 months
  • Evidence of up-to-date vaccination as required
  • To be awarded the CHC52021 – Diploma of Community Services, competency must be achieved with total of Twenty 20 units.

    • Twelve (12) Core Units
    • Eight (8) Elective Units

    The selected elective units will provide learners with a well-rounded unit combination aligned to current industry requirements and the qualification level.

    There are no pre-requisite units for this qualification.

    Elective units have been selected by the College in consultation with industry experts.

Core Units:

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

Elective Units:

CHCADV002 Provide advocacy and representation services
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
CHCDIS019 Provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs
CHCSOH021 Work with clients within the social housing system
CHCMHS013 Implement trauma informed care
CHCDEV004 Confirm developmental status
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues

This course provides graduates with diverse and fulfilling career opportunities within the community services sector, preparing them for roles such as:

Job roles include:

  • Community Development Worker
  • Case Manager
  • Social Worker
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Aged Care Support Worker
  • Youth Worker
  • Disability Support Worker

This course is delivered through face-to-face training and assessment, as well as through online learning and workplace-based training and assessment. 

You are required to attend classes on campus for 14 hours per week, as well as complete 6 hours per week of scheduled and supervised online learning via a web-based software for 80 study weeks (8 terms of 10 weeks each). Holiday breaks are 24 weeks in total and the timing of these breaks will be advised in your timetable when you start your course.

You will also need to complete a work placement of 200 hours. This will be during terms 4 and 8. Sage College Australia will assist you to find a work placement, or you may find your own work placement. Please read the section in the International Student Handbook that includes additional information about work placements. This is important so that you are fully informed of work placement requirements. Additionally, the work placement requirements will be discussed during your course entry interview and further information will also be provided at your orientation.

In addition to face-to-face training and assessment, scheduled and supervised online learning and your work placement, you will also need to complete approximately 5 hours of additional, unsupervised study per week which includes research for assessments, completion of Self-study Guides and general reading.

You will also need to complete assessments for this course which may include:

  • Written questions 
  • Projects  
  • Presentations 
  • Reports 
  • Role plays/observations 
  • Workplace hours logbook. 

At the beginning of each unit, your trainer and assessor will outline the assessment tasks that must be completed. 

Your classes will be conducted in modern classrooms, and you will be able to access Wi-Fi. There are also areas for you to relax, as well as conduct additional study.   

You will be provided with a Student Guide relevant to each unit in your course.