CHC52025 - Diploma of Community Services
Overview
Gain essential skills to launch or expand your career in Community Services with our practical and empowering Diploma of Community Services. Develop skills in case management, client support, advocacy, and community engagement. Build leadership and communication skills that prepare you to work effectively across a diverse range of communities. This course equips you with the tools to make a meaningful impact, promote social justice, and support individuals and communities in need.
This qualification reflects the role of community service workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities.
At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management.
Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 100 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.
The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
This is a nationally recognised course.
QUALITY EDUCATION, WHEREVER YOU ARE
Between our reputation for learning, teaching and research, our renowned online education offering, and our status as Australia’s largest regional university, rest assured you will get a world-class education when you choose CQUniversity.
A UNI THAT KNOWS CREDIBILITY IS KEY
In just 25 years, CQUniversity has achieved some amazing feats and emerged as one of Australia’s truly great universities. We have been ranked among the best in the world for our teaching and learning, and are internationally recognised for our focus on Social Innovation. Our graduates are some of the most sought-after in Australia, due to our reputation for work integrated learning and industry-aligned courses, and experience some of the nation’s best graduate outcomes in terms of full-time employment and starting salary. CQUni is also regarded as the nation’s most inclusive and engaged university, with our award-winning academic and research staff making a real impact on the communities and industries we serve.
A UNI THAT LEADS IN ONLINE EDUCATION
A pioneer in online study, CQUniversity has more than two decades of experience providing high quality online learning experiences across the country and even internationally. We work hard to deliver the latest techniques in online study, and have even planned our physical sites to provide more services to our widespread online study cohort.
A UNI THAT KNOWS CONVENIENCE COUNTS
CQUniversity is truly focused on our students’ needs, and that means responding to what, how and where they want to study. It is why we are now Australia’s largest regional university, with more than 20 metropolitan and regional locations across five states, delivering TAFE and university qualifications in on-campus, online and supported online modes to more than 30 000 students.
A UNI THAT KNOWS YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS
CQUniversity’s strong focus on student experience ensures that you are prepared and supported on your student journey. Support services include on-campus or online orientation to assist your transition into university life, course and career advice, financial support options, study support, ongoing assistance through the Student Mentor program, counselling services, support for students with disability or medical conditions, Indigenous student support and more.
Study Experience
- Fast-Tracked Course
- Real Life Scenarios
- Study Now, Pay Later
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services are equipped to pursue employment across a range of community services fields, including mental health services, child protection, alcohol and other drugs support, housing services, domestic and family violence support, disability services, and youth work.
Job titles may include, Case Coordinator, Community Housing Worker, Community Program Coordinator, Early Intervention Worker, Family Support Worker and more.
This qualification also provides a pathway to further study in the social sciences, such as a Bachelor of Social Work or other related university-level programs.
Structure & Availability
Standard Course Structure
Duration:| Full Time Duration | Part Time Duration |
|---|---|
| 12 Months | 26 Months |
Students studying full-time should expect to dedicate approximately 25 hours per week to their coursework. Part-time students should expect to allocate around 15 hours per week.
The course may be completed sooner if students have the capacity to take on a higher study load. It is recommended that students aim to complete one unit per month.
Students are required to complete 100 hours of vocational placement. Vocational placement is scheduled towards the end of the course structure. For more information, refer to the Work Integrated Learning tab.
Students are required to undertake practical assessment tasks which includes the use of recorded roleplay scenario interactions through video and audio submissions.
Core
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance |
| CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
| CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs |
| CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
| CHCCSM017 | Facilitate and review case management |
| CHCCCS007 | Develop and implement service programs |
| HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| CHCMGT005 | Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes |
| CHCDEV005 | Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services |
Elective
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
| CHCCSL002 | Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills |
| HLTWHS006 | Manage personal stressors in the work environment |
| CHCCCS016 | Respond to client needs |
| CHCPRT029 | Work within a practice framework |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
| CHCMHS008 | Promote and facilitate self advocacy |
| CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
This course has no residential schools.
To complete this course, you will be required to complete an approved work placement of 1 x 100 hours block. Students who are currently working in a relevant role may be eligible to undertake placement with their existing employer, subject to approval from the relevant Educational Team Leader and agreement from the employer. A vocational placement competency logbook must be signed off to confirm essential skills gained.
When you have completed at least 16 units, you will be required to complete a Placement Application Form. This form allows you to apply for approval to complete your placement within your workplace or alternatively, request to attend a CQUniversity sourced placement.
CQUniversity’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team will aim to source a placement located within your community; however, circumstances may require you to relocate to complete the placement.
Mandatory placement checks are compulsory for this course, and it is important that students ensure they can meet the requirements for these checks. Mandatory Check inquiries can be directed to WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au and further detailed information can be sourced by clicking on the following link: IMMUNISATIONS AND VACCINATIONS WIL DOCUMENT.
You may also be required to undertake a pre-placement interview with the host organisation and placement may be subject to you meeting the organisation's requirements.
Requirements
To help us understand how best to support you, you’ll need to complete the bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessments to progress your application. Alternatively, completion of an equal or higher level course may exempt you from this testing.
During your study
Mandatory placement checks are compulsory to complete this course, you will be required to obtain a Working with Children's Check relevant to your State and an Australian Federal Police Check. Please ensure you will meet the requirements for these checks. You may be required to undertake a pre-placement interview with host organisations. Placement is subject to students meeting the requirements of the host organisation.
Students are required to complete 1 x 100-hour block of vocational placement within a community services organisation. If you are currently working within the community services industry you may be eligible to undertake your placement hours with your existing employer subject to assessment.
Fees & Scholarships
Fee for Service/ Full Fee
Fee for Service/Full Fee occurs when the full tuition fee is charged to students. This may occur when the course is not included in government subsidy program/s or the student is not eligible for a government subsidy. These students are obligated to cover the entire cost. Learn more about Paying for TAFE.
Co-Contribution and Co-Contribution Concessional Fee
Some government-funded training programs, such as Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills, require students to contribute to the cost of their education through a co-contribution fee. This fee varies depending on the course and the student's eligibility for a concessional rate. Additional costs, such as uniforms and course resources, may also apply. More details on eligibility and exemptions can be found on How to Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.
Starting the 1st of July 2025, the Queensland Government is updating its TAFE subsidy offerings. Students commencing from this date will need to be reassessed, potentially requiring additional documentation to maintain their funding. Those who do not provide the necessary documents, or are no longer eligible, may lose their subsidy and continue as full-fee-paying students. For more information visit Paying for TAFE and review Important Changes to TAFE Subsidies from July 2025.
If you are unsure of your eligibility or wish to discuss your options further, please connect with us on 13 27 86.
This course is included in the Australian Government’s VET Student Loan (VSL) program, assisting eligible students pay tuition fees. Refer to the VET Student Loan webpage for more information, eligibility and census date calendar. A VET student loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.
At CQUniversity, we believe that studying should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more
How to Apply
How to Apply
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Our easy-to-use online application system will guide you through the process of applying for a TAFE course. If you need help along the way with your application, talk with one of our Student Advice team members by calling 13 27 86.
