Diploma of Community Services

The Diploma of Community Services at Griffin College prepares you for direct work with people and communities. You will study subjects like case management, counselling skills, community development, and legal and ethical frameworks. The course also covers working with diverse groups, advocacy, and how to link clients to housing, health, and income support. Assessment is practical: you write case notes, run simulated interviews, and plan community projects.

This is a two-year diploma under the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is made up of units of study, each with a credit point value, delivered across semesters or trimesters. You will complete a supervised work placement in a community services organisation, where you apply your skills under professional supervision. There is no research thesis at diploma level, but your final units may include a capstone-style project that pulls together what you have learned.

You will gain skills in intake and assessment, referral, crisis response, group work, and record-keeping. You will also learn how to work within Australian legal and ethical requirements, including duty of care, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting. Graduates often move into roles such as community support worker, case worker, or client services officer. Some continue to a bachelor degree with credit for their diploma studies.

This course suits people who want to work directly with clients and communities, not just in policy or research. It is a good fit if you are patient, a good listener, and comfortable with paperwork and deadlines. 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) post-study work stream. English requirements for this field are higher than for many courses: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is common for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate study, but social work usually asks for 7.0–7.5. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the college's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm current details on the official Griffin College page and the CRICOS listing.

• Community support worker
• Case worker
• Client services officer
• Community development officer
• Family support worker
• Youth worker
• Housing support worker
• Mental health support worker

These roles are found in community health centres, not-for-profit organisations, local government, housing services, and disability support providers across Australia.