Course Overview
Community Services is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. The Diploma of Community Services is ideal for gaining the necessary skill sets for a profession in the Community Services sector. You can become an advocate in areas such as family welfare, community health, employment services and disability services
Who's It For?
The Diploma of Community Services is suitable for:
- Those seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession in community services.
- Professionals wanting to acquire community services or counselling skills as an adjunct to their core profession — such as teachers, nurses, ministers of religion, corrective services officers and administrators.
- Anyone over 18 with the required entry-level qualifications or life experience.
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Family welfare
- Community health
- Employment services
- Disability services
Recognition
Study Method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Duration Study Load
Self-paced study; most full-time students complete the course in 12 months.
The course comprises 20 units (one specialisation) or 24 units (both specialisations). Taking both specialisations adds four units and extends the typical study duration.
Delivery
The Diploma of Community Services is delivered fully online. Students can work through the material at home and at whatever pace suits them. The course is self-paced, allowing students to set their own schedule rather than following term dates.
The practical components can be completed via:
- Online group workshop via Zoom/Skype
- Uploading a video demonstration
- One-on-one or small group session with a private assessor (available in numerous regional areas across Australia)
Entry Requirements
You are able to gain entry to the Diploma of Community Services if you are over 18 years of age and have:
- Completed Year 12, or
- Completed a Certificate III qualification, or
- At least 3 years of sufficient life experience (work or study), if over 21 years of age.
Course Features
Key features of the Diploma of Community Services at AIPC include:
Career ready: Graduates are well prepared to pursue employed or self-employed careers in Community Services, supported by AIPC's strong industry reputation.
Extremely applicable: Suitable for people from all backgrounds, including those seeking a career change or professionals such as teachers, nurses, ministers of religion and corrective services officers.
Counselling education specialists: AIPC focuses exclusively on counselling and community services education.
Flexible learning: Fully self-paced, online study designed to be completed from home around other commitments.
Specialist content: Course materials draw on leading authors and texts in community services from around the world, examining prominent models and approaches used in the industry today.
Student support: Unlimited access to the Institute's Toll Free Study Assistance Line (1300 number), 9am–5pm EST Monday to Friday, staffed by degree-qualified Education Advisers.
My.AIPC Student Portal: Access to electronic workbooks, activity submission and marking, Knowledge Base, Online Education Adviser contact, and seminar scheduling.
Student Support Centres: Located in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast & Northern Rivers, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.
Work Placement
This course requires completion of a minimum of 100 hours of work placement, supporting real clients under the supervision of experienced staff. Placement is completed in a community services organisation local to the student.
Several units also require students to demonstrate their skills before placement. Units marked with a # require the practical demonstration of skills in a real or simulated work environment.
Professional Recognition
NRT – The Diploma of Community Services (CHC52025) is a nationally recognised training program in Australia.
Assessment
Assessment includes practical demonstrations of skills in a real or simulated work environment (for units marked #) and a minimum of 100 hours of work placement (for units marked *).
Practical components can be completed via:
- Online group workshop via Zoom/Skype
- Uploading a video demonstration
- One-on-one or small group session with a private assessor
Activities are completed and uploaded for marking through the My.AIPC Student Portal.
Subjects
About Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
The Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) is Australia’s largest and longest-established educator of Counsellors. Our specialist training programs include our acclaimed Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor of Counselling, and Master of Counselling. All our programs are government and industry-accredited.
We are an organisation founded on the principle of enabling people to help others. At the very heart of our logo, designed three decades ago, is the statement “Caring for people.” That’s the core of what we do, and that’s why our work matters.
RTO Provider Number: 0670 | Institute of Higher Education: Provider ID PRV12083.
