- On campus
- Online
Course Overview
Intakes
No upcoming intakes for this course this year.
Please enquire for more information or to express your interest in this course.
About this course
If you have a passion for working with your community, then our Diploma of Community Services is for you.
You’ll learn specialist skills that will allow you to work in various roles across the community and social services sector with a focus on supporting, children, young people and families in a range of government funded, not-for-profit and charitable organisations.
Get the specialised skills you need to manage, coordinate and deliver person centred, strengths-based services to individuals, groups and communities. You will also develop skills to enable you to supervise other workers and volunteers.
At this level, you’ll provide direct support to individuals or groups of individuals and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management, program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.
To meet the minimum education requirements for entry into child protection practice in Victoria, diploma qualifications must be approved by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2023. All Free TAFE courses at TAFE Gippsland are now available to people with higher-level qualifications and those who have completed a previous Free TAFE course and are looking to continue in their selected training pathway. Conditions and eligibility rules apply. Check out our Free TAFE information page for further details.
Career Opportunities
Community Care Manager, Coordinator of Volunteer Work, Team Leader, Care Team Leader, Family Services Coordinator, Support Facilitator (Community Services), Community Housing Resources Worker, Community Development Worker for Social Housing, Community Recreation Coordinator, Housing Manager, Housing Assistant, Assistant Community Worker, Community Worker, Aboriginal Housing Worker, Community Services Coordinator, Case Coordinator (Disability), Youth Housing Support Worker, Family Support Worker, Community Access Coordinator, Pastoral Care Counsellor, Aboriginal Neighbourhood House Coordinator, Case Coordinator (Community Services), Welfare Support Worker, Senior Youth Worker, Disability Team Leader, Support Facilitator (Disability), Community Housing Worker, Community Work Coordinator, Early Intervention Worker, Community Program Coordinator, Pastoral Care Worker, Assistant Community Services Worker, Support Advisor
Opportunities for Further Study
120 credit points in the Bachelor Community and Human Services with Federation University. Guaranteed entry.
Students can apply for credit with other universities.
Skills or Knowledge gained
This course will develop your skills to manage, coordinate and deliver person centred, strengths based services to individuals, groups and communities. You will also develop skills to enable you to supervise other workers and volunteers.
Entry Requirements
Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes
Mandatory entry requirements:
Applicants must complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy test as well as a Pre-Training Review to determine whether they are suitable for this course.
Applicants then must undertake an interview and also meet the below requirements:
For Case Management Stream:
Applicants must be currently be working in the sector.
Mature aged- over 18 years of age
Must have clear Police Check and WWCC.
For Forensic Statutory Stream:
Mature aged- over 18 years of age
Must have clear Police Check and Working With Children Check.
Driving licence (P's minimum)
Student must be prepared to provide certificate of COVID vaccination due to placement requirements.
Recommended entry Requirements:
Reliable internet connectivity
Suitable technology e.g computer, video capabilities to participate in Online classes and simulated practical assessments
Suitable levels of digital literacy
Limitations to course Entry:
For Forensic Statutory Stream:
Limited numbers due to the specificities of placement.
Current service user.
Minimum Industry Requirement
- Working with children check
- Police check
Licensing/Regulatory Requirements
Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: true
For the Statutory & Forensic Child, Youth & Family Welfare Specialisation Stream :
This qualification is ACWA (Australian Community Workers Association) accredited which means students receiving this qualification are eligible for membership into that organisation. It also allows for students who have completed to apply for positions in Child Protection under DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services)
For Case Management Stream :
Certified Practicing Case Manager with the Case Management Society of Australia and New Zealand if the student has also practised for at least 12 months (1824 hours) in the last 3 years.
Qualifications and Recognition - 2024
Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to receive the Diploma of Community Services (Child, Youth and Family Welfare )
Work Placement - 2024
Does this course require placement?: Yes
Students are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of placement over the duration of the course. Usually students complete 140-180 hours in their first year and 220-260 hours in the second year. Placements must be in approved locations. Both placements must be completed to graduate from the qualification.
Placement for students is organised by the placement coordinator and approved by the teaching team and or Program Manager.
Students can receive RPL for up to 180 hours of placement (current work/past work) but must still complete 220 hours of placement in another location for placement 2.
Second year placement must be undertaken in a child protective service such as:
Child Protection
Kinship or Home Based Care
Family Violence
Family Services
Student Welfare
This also ensures that the unit CHCPRT027 can successfully be assessed in the workplace.
Placement is arranged by: Institute
Placement sequence
Days of the week:
Dependent on student and organisation.
Time of the year (estimate):
Must not be in first semester.
Other requirements:
Placement 2 must be in a setting working with children, youth or families.
Placement to be arranged by: Institute
Course Overview
Intakes
No upcoming intakes for this course this year.
Please enquire for more information or to express your interest in this course.
About this course
If it’s your passion to support children, young people and families in your community, then our Diploma of Community Services (Child, Youth and Family Welfare) is for you.
Designed for those currently working in community services or related work, this online course will give you real-world experience through a minimum of 400 hours of work placement, which must be completed to achieve the qualification.
Get the specialised skills you need to manage, coordinate and deliver person centred, strengths-based services to individuals, groups and communities. You will also develop skills to enable you to supervise other workers and volunteers.
At this level, you’ll provide direct support to individuals or groups of individuals and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management, program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.
To meet the minimum education requirements for entry into child protection practice in Victoria, diploma qualifications must be approved by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2023. All Free TAFE courses at TAFE Gippsland are now available to people with higher-level qualifications and those who have completed a previous Free TAFE course and are looking to continue in their selected training pathway. Conditions and eligibility rules apply. Check out our Free TAFE information page for further details.
Career Opportunities
Community Care Manager, Coordinator of Volunteer Work, Team Leader, Care Team Leader, Family Services Coordinator, Support Facilitator (Community Services), Community Housing Resources Worker, Community Development Worker for Social Housing, Community Recreation Coordinator, Housing Manager, Housing Assistant, Assistant Community Worker, Community Worker, Aboriginal Housing Worker, Community Services Coordinator, Case Coordinator (Disability), Youth Housing Support Worker, Family Support Worker, Community Access Coordinator, Pastoral Care Counsellor, Aboriginal Neighbourhood House Coordinator, Case Coordinator (Community Services), Welfare Support Worker, Senior Youth Worker, Disability Team Leader, Support Facilitator (Disability), Community Housing Worker, Community Work Coordinator, Early Intervention Worker, Community Program Coordinator, Pastoral Care Worker, Assistant Community Services Worker, Support Advisor
Opportunities for Further Study
120 credit points in the Bachelor Community and Human Services with Federation University. Guaranteed entry.
Students can apply for credit with other universities.
Skills or Knowledge gained
This course will develop your skills to manage, coordinate and deliver person centred, strengths based services to individuals, groups and communities. You will also develop skills to enable you to supervise other workers and volunteers.
Entry Requirements
Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes
Mandatory entry requirements:
Applicants must complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy test as well as a Pre-Training Review to determine whether they are suitable for this course.
Applicants then must undertake an interview and also meet the below requirements:
For Case Management Stream:
Applicants must be currently be working in the sector.
Mature aged- over 18 years of age
Must have clear Police Check and WWCC.
For Forensic Statutory Stream:
Mature aged- over 18 years of age
Must have clear Police Check and Working With Children Check.
Driving licence (P's minimum)
Student must be prepared to provide certificate of COVID vaccination due to placement requirements.
Recommended entry Requirements:
Reliable internet connectivity
Suitable technology e.g computer, video capabilities to participate in Online classes and simulated practical assessments
Suitable levels of digital literacy
Limitations to course Entry:
For Forensic Statutory Stream:
Limited numbers due to the specificities of placement.
Current service user.
Minimum Industry Requirement
- Working with children check
- Police check
Licensing/Regulatory Requirements
Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: true
For the Statutory & Forensic Child, Youth & Family Welfare Specialisation Stream :
This qualification is ACWA (Australian Community Workers Association) accredited which means students receiving this qualification are eligible for membership into that organisation. It also allows for students who have completed to apply for positions in Child Protection under DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services)
For Case Management Stream :
Certified Practicing Case Manager with the Case Management Society of Australia and New Zealand if the student has also practised for at least 12 months (1824 hours) in the last 3 years.
Qualifications and Recognition - 2024
Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to receive the Diploma of Community Services (Child, Youth and Family Welfare )
Work Placement - 2024
Does this course require placement?: Yes
Students are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of placement over the duration of the course.
Usually students complete 140-180 hours in their first year and 220-260 hours in the second year.
Placements must be in approved locations.
Both placements must be completed to graduate from the qualification.
Placement for students is organised by the placement coordinator and approved by the teaching team and or Program Manager.
Students can receive RPL for up to 180 hours of placement (current work/past work) but must still complete 220 hours of placement in another location, program or service area for placement 2.
Second year placement must be undertaken in a child protective service such as:
Child Protection
Kinship or Home Based Care
Family Violence
Integrated Family Services
Student Welfare
This also ensures that the unit CHCPRT027 can successfully be assessed in the workplace.
Placement is arranged by: Institute
Placement sequence
Days of the week: Dependent on student and organisation availability.
Time of the year (estimate): Must not be in first semester.
Other requirements: Both placements require a commitment of 2 plus working days.
Placement 2 must be in a setting working with children, youth or families.
Placement to be arranged by: Institute
Further Information - 2024
Fees
| Fees and charges | Government subsidised concession | Government subsidised | Full-fee paying student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) | $10,745.00 | $20,722.50 | |
| Materials fee* (GST exempt) | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Total | $10,745.00 | $20,722.50 |
VET Student Loans
VET Student Loans are available to assist eligible students studying higher level vocational education and training (VET) qualifications to pay their tuition fees. Higher level VET qualifications are at those at a Diploma level and above. VET Student loans are capped at a maximum for each approved course of study and the amount of the loan cannot be greater than your remaining FEE-HELP balance. If eligible for a student loan, you can access up to $18,097.00 to help cover the tuition fees for this course. For more information about VET Student Loans and eligibility requirements, please click here.
Help with fees
Sample course units
Assessment
The assessment for each course varies. It may include knowledge questions, practical skills tasks, projects, research work, on the job assessment, etc. Your assessor or educator will provide specific information on the requirements for your course.
You can expect that:
- assessment methods are clear
- assessment tasks are relevant and meet the requirements of your course
- assessor or educator demonstrate fairness and lack of bias when assessing your work
- educators will provide open and honest feedback about assessment tasks.
Further Information - 2024
Fees
| Fees and charges | Government subsidised concession | Government subsidised | Full-fee paying student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) | $10,745.00 | $20,722.50 | |
| Materials fee* (GST exempt) | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Total | $10,745.00 | $20,722.50 |
VET Student Loans
VET Student Loans are available to assist eligible students studying higher level vocational education and training (VET) qualifications to pay their tuition fees. Higher level VET qualifications are at those at a Diploma level and above. VET Student loans are capped at a maximum for each approved course of study and the amount of the loan cannot be greater than your remaining FEE-HELP balance. If eligible for a student loan, you can access up to $18,097.00 to help cover the tuition fees for this course. For more information about VET Student Loans and eligibility requirements, please click here.
Help with fees
Sample course units
Assessment
The assessment for each course varies. It may include knowledge questions, practical skills tasks, projects, research work, on the job assessment, etc. Your assessor or educator will provide specific information on the requirements for your course.
You can expect that:
- assessment methods are clear
- assessment tasks are relevant and meet the requirements of your course
- assessor or educator demonstrate fairness and lack of bias when assessing your work
- educators will provide open and honest feedback about assessment tasks.