Diploma of Community Services

The Diploma of Community Services is a vocational qualification for people who want to work directly with individuals, families and communities in Australia. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree, and takes about 1.5 years of full-time study. You will learn how to assess client needs, plan and deliver support, run group activities, advocate for people dealing with housing, income, family or health issues, and work within the legal and ethical rules that govern community organisations.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of competency, each with a set credit value. You will complete a mix of core and elective units, usually studied over two or three semesters or trimesters. Assessment is practical: written tasks, case studies, role plays, projects and supervised work placement. Most community services diplomas include a placement component, often around 100 to 200 hours, where you work in an agency under supervision. This is where you put your skills into practice and build the contacts that can lead to a job. Your exact units, placement hours and timetabling will be confirmed by the college.

What you will learn

You will study subjects such as case management, community development, counselling skills, working with culturally diverse clients, legal and ethical requirements, and workplace health and safety. You will also learn how to respond to clients in crisis, manage your own stress, and keep accurate records. The focus is on the practical skills you need on day one of the job, not on theory for its own sake.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who want to start a career in community services, support work or case management, or who already work in the sector and want a recognised qualification. It also suits students who prefer hands-on learning and want to enter the workforce sooner than a three-year degree would allow. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which gives you time to work in Australia. English requirements for this field are usually higher than for many other courses, so check the college's published entry requirements and confirm all details on the official CRICOS page.

• Community services worker
• Case worker or case manager
• Support worker
• Community development officer
• Family support worker
• Youth worker
• Housing officer
• Client services coordinator

These roles are found in community health centres, local councils, not-for-profit organisations, family support agencies, housing services, disability services and aged care providers across Australia. Some graduates go on to further study, such as a bachelor degree in social work or community services, which can open up more senior or specialised positions.