Community Services

If you are looking for a versatile community qualification with an array of job opportunities and a possible path to university, then CIT’s Community Services qualifications offer a firm foundation in assessing and working with the needs of clients in a variety of settings.

Develop your skills to provide a range of services, community education and interventions to clients at community based organisations, residential rehabilitation services or outreach services. The diploma allows you to delve further into your knowledge of community welfare, gaining enhanced experience in community engagement, supplying advanced interventions to clients as well as learning how to respond to crises.

Industry Placement

Get 200 unpaid hours of industry experience with an industry placement! This will give you the hands-on skills to be ready for employment.

(Certificate IV: 80 unpaid hours compulsory placement.  Diploma: 120 unpaid hours)

Why Study at CIT?

  • Hands-on industry experience
  • One of five specialised fields of study to personalise your Community Services Diploma
  • Many job opportunities in Canberra and throughout Australia
  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Certificate IV in Community Services | CHC42015
    CRICOS: 089975J

    Diploma of Community Services | CHC52015
    CRICOS: 089976G

    New training packages will be introduced for the Certificate IV and Diploma qualifications in 2024.

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    TOTAL CIT PACKAGE: 2 years
    Certificate IV: 1 year Diploma: 1 year

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2024 Semester 1 (February, April) and Semester 2 (July, October)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Bruce

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2024:

    Certificate IV $7,830 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $15,660)

    Diploma $7,830 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $15,660)

    Extra Fees:

    Working with Vulnerable People Check: $135 approx., you may be required to purchase a shirt for placement for $30-$40.

    CIT teachers co-ordinate placements. Before undertaking any work placement you must be eligible to apply for, and hold a 'Working with Vulnerable People Check'.

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small tuition and material fee increases may occur annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. Fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • Year 12 Certificate (or equivalent) or Adult Entry

    Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

    English requirements:

    • IELTS 5.5 (no band score less than 5.0)
    • TOEFL iBT - 46
    • PTE Academic - 42 (minimum of 36 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 162
  • Course Subjects - Certificate IV

    Certificate IV in Community Services | CHC42015 - 15 subjects

    Core: Complete all 7 subjects

    • CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
    • CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships
    • CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
    • CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
    • CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
    • CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
    • HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety

    Electives: Complete 8 subjects

    • CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
    • CHCCDE001 Support participative planning processes
    • CHCCDE003 Work within a community development framework
    • CHCCDE005 Develop and support relevant community resources
    • CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
    • CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
    • CHCCDE004 Implement participation and engagement strategies
    • CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs
  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Community Services | CHC52015 - 16 subjects

    Core: Complete all 8 subjects

    • CHCCOM003 Develop workplace communication strategies
    • CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity
    • CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs
    • CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance
    • CHCDEV002 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
    • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
    • CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
    • HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety

    Electives: Complete 6 subjects

    • CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
    • CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
    • CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
    • CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
    • CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services
    • CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
    • CHCAOD007 Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
    • CHCAOD008 Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CHCYTH012 Manage service response to young people in crisis
    • CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
    • CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
    • CHCCSM004 Coordinate complex case requirements

    Electives: Complete maximum of 2 subjects

    • CHCMHS010 Implement recovery-oriented approaches to complexity
    • CHCYTH008 Support young people to take collective action
    • CHCYTH009 Support youth programs
    • CHCMHS012 Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
    • CHCCSM008 Undertake advanced client assessment
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Certificate IV: Caseworker, community services worker, community support worker, domestic violence worker, early intervention homelessness worker, family support worker, health education officer, outreach officer, support worker, welfare support worker.

    Diploma: On completion of this qualification the worker will be able to design and deliver programs that aim to enhance the wellbeing of individuals and groups.

    Occupational titles may include:
    - Case Worker
    - Community services worker
    - Community support worker
    - Domestic violence worker
    - Early intervention homelessness worker
    - Family support worker
    - Health education officer
    - Outreach officer
    - Support worker
    - Welfare support worker

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    Modes of study include simulated workplaces for students to practice their new skills, work experience or work placement, supervised study time with a teacher and online learning and student engagement through e-Learn.

    Students must complete class work, assignments, practical components and project work throughout the course. They may then be assessed using a combination of these tasks, continuous assessment and examinations. Assessment outcomes may be based on competency, marks and grades, or a combination of all three assessment methods.

  • Pathways to Further Study

    Because CIT offers nationally recognised qualifications accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), students can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to most universities within Australia and receive credit towards a degree, even where formal credit transfer arrangements are not in place; however, this is not a guarantee.

    We advise you speak directly with your chosen university in relation to credit transfer, entry requirements and their application process.