Diploma of Community Services

The Diploma of Community Services at Australian College of Studies Co. is a two-year qualification for people who want to work directly with individuals, families and communities in Australia. You learn how to assess client needs, plan and deliver support, advocate for people dealing with housing, income, family or health issues, and work safely within the legal and ethical rules that govern community services. There is a strong focus on practical skills: interviewing, case noting, referral, group work and managing your own safety in the field.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. Most providers run two semesters a year, though some use trimesters. You will complete a mix of core units and electives, and finish with a supervised work placement in a community organisation. That placement is not optional, it is how you show you can apply what you have learned with real clients under professional supervision. Assessment is usually a combination of written tasks, practical demonstrations, projects and the placement report.

Skills you gain

By the end of the diploma you should be able to conduct client assessments, develop support plans, work with other services, keep accurate records, and respond appropriately to people in crisis. You also learn about cultural safety, especially working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the legal responsibilities that come with the job, such as duty of care, privacy and mandatory reporting.

Who it suits

This course suits people already working in community services who want a formal qualification, career changers who want to move into the sector, and school leavers who are ready to start practical training rather than a full degree. It also gives you a pathway into a bachelor degree in social work or community development, often with credit for the units you have completed. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on the stream and your circumstances. English requirements are published on the official page, check whether the diploma sits at the 6.0–6.5 overall IELTS Academic level or the higher social work band, and confirm tuition and start dates on the CRICOS register.

• Community services worker
• Case worker or support worker
• Family support worker
• Youth worker
• Housing support worker
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community worker
• Disability support coordinator
• Employment services consultant

These roles are found in not-for-profit organisations, government departments, housing and homelessness services, family and youth services, disability providers and employment agencies across Australia.