Diploma of Community Services

The Diploma of Community Services at VIITE trains you for the everyday work of supporting people through hard times. You learn how to assess what a client needs, plan support, run case work, refer people to the right services, and keep records that stand up to scrutiny. There is a strong focus on working with people who are homeless, living with disability, dealing with family violence, or managing mental health issues. You also study the legal and ethical side of community work, including duty of care, privacy, and mandatory reporting.

This is a two-year diploma, delivered under the Australian Qualifications Framework. You complete units of study, each with a set credit point value, across semesters or trimesters. Assessment is practical, written tasks, role plays, projects, and supervised work placements. Because community services is a hands-on field, the course includes a professional placement component where you work in an agency under supervision. That placement is usually arranged by the institution and gives you real client contact before you graduate.

You finish with skills in case management, group work, community development, and client advocacy. You learn to write case notes, conduct interviews, work within budgets, and collaborate with other organisations. Communication and cultural safety are threaded through the whole diploma, since you will work with people from many backgrounds. The course suits people already working in the sector who want a formal qualification, career changers who want meaningful work, and school leavers who prefer practical training over a three-year degree.

International students should check the official CRICOS page for this course (code 118846G) to confirm fees, English requirements, and intake dates. The Student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which allows you to stay and work in Australia. Always confirm the latest details with VIITE and the Department of Home Affairs.

• Community services worker
• Case worker or case manager
• Support worker in disability or aged care
• Family violence support worker
• Youth worker
• Mental health support worker
• Client services officer in a non-profit
• Community development assistant

These roles are found in non-profit organisations, local councils, state government departments, community health centres, women's refuges, homeless services, and disability providers across Australia. The diploma also gives you credit toward further study, such as a bachelor's degree in social work or community services.