Diploma of Community Services
CHC52025
Community Services is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. Learn to implement service programs, assess client needs, and coordinate referral processes across diverse sectors such as family welfare, community health, employment and disability services.
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.
Upon enrolling in AIPC’s diploma, you will choose one of the following options to specialise in:
Case Management: Students choosing this specialisation will focus on goal-directed planning and implementation, before learning about coordinating complex case requirements and gaining the skills to provide case management supervision to other workers. Upon graduating, you will receive a Diploma of Community Services (Case Management).
Responding to Family Violence: Students choosing this specialisation will learn how to work effectively in trauma informed case before understanding how to assess, make safety plans and counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence. Upon graduating, you will receive a Diploma of Community Services (Responding to Family Violence).
Case Management and Responding to Family Violence: Students have the option to choose both options (for an additional fee) and graduate with a Diploma of Community Services (Case Management and Responding to Family Violence).
Our Diploma of Community Services has been developed to meet with a very high standard of education. We utilise the resources of leading authors and texts in the community services field from around the world. As such, our Diploma examines most of the prominent models and approaches used in the industry today.
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
have at least 3 years of sufficient life experience (work or study), if over 21 years of age.
The Diploma of Community Services is a nationally recognised training program in Australia, so you can be assured of its quality, status and integrity.
Reduced Upfront (and enjoy a substantial discount).
Take advantage of our Fortnightly or Monthly Payment Plans
Pay via Credit Card or Direct Debit.
Our Student Support Centres are located in:
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast & Northern Rivers
Sydney
Melbourne
Adelaide
Perth
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Course Recognition
Why study our Diploma of Community Services
Our Diploma of Community Services will set you up for a rewarding career helping others.
Career ready
When you graduate, you will be extremely well prepared to pursue a career in Community Services – employed or self-employed – enjoying our strong industry reputation and linkage.
Extremely applicable
The Diploma is extremely applicable to people from all sorts of backgrounds. Whether you are seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession; or want to acquire counselling skills as an adjunct to your core profession – such as teachers, nurses, ministers of religion, corrective services officers and administrators.
Counselling education specialists
We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.
Flexible learning
With so many demands on our time it can be difficult to fit study in around other commitments, that's why our Diploma of Community Services has been designed to maximise your learning from home where you can progress through your studies at your own pace.
Career ready
When you graduate, you will be extremely well prepared to pursue a career in Community Services – employed or self-employed – enjoying our strong industry reputation and linkage.
Extremely applicable
The Diploma is extremely applicable to people from all sorts of backgrounds. Whether you are seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession; or want to acquire counselling skills as an adjunct to your core profession – such as teachers, nurses, ministers of religion, corrective services officers and administrators.
Counselling education specialists
We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.
Flexible learning
With so many demands on our time it can be difficult to fit study in around other commitments, that's why our Diploma of Community Services has been designed to maximise your learning from home where you can progress through your studies at your own pace.
Course Outline
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services *
This unit focuses on developing students understanding of how the delivery of services impacts people from a range of backgrounds, and how to plan appropriately within the service.
Work with people with mental health issues #
This unit focuses on how to work respectfully with clients experiencing mental health concerns. You will learn about the key principles and practices in working collaboratively with a client, their support network, and other service providers, in order to best meet their needs.
Work with diverse people
This unit gives the student the opportunity to reflect upon gender, culture, ethnicity, subculture, sexuality and ability and how they are each to be valued and respected within our community and a counselling context.
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Students will gain the relevant skills and knowledge to work respectfully within diverse cultures and social situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Students will learn how to identify, develop strategies and model cultural safety issues within the workplace and with clients.
Manage legal and ethical compliance *
This unit focuses on understanding, developing and monitoring legal, ethical and compliance issues within a service.
Develop workplace communication strategies #
Students learn how to identify and develop communication practices within a service, to clients and with external support networks.
Provide advocacy and representation services #
Students will gain the skills and knowledge required to formally represent the interests of service users.
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships #
This unit provides the skills and knowledge required to identify networking and collaboration needs and develop formal and informal partnerships to enhance service delivery and improve professional practice.
Assess co-existing needs # *
Students will learn how to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs.
Facilitate and review case management *
This unit helps students to be able to determine an initial response to case management, as well as developing a plan and conducting case management meetings.
Maintain work health and safety #
Students will learn how to be able to determine an initial response to case management, as well as developing a plan and conducting case management meetings.
Develop and implement service programs #
This unit provides the skills and knowledge required to engage consumers, analyse service needs of particular groups and develop programs and services to meet those needs.
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence #
Students will learn how to identify and respond to the needs of clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence, including responding to immediate intervention and support needs.
Recognise and respond to crisis situations #
This unit focuses on working effectively with clients at risk or in crisis. Particularly, you will learn how to identify, address and respond to various crisis situations, and facilitate referrals where appropriate. You will also learn about the importance of self-care and supervision in crisis support work.
Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes #
Students will learn how to implement support processes to manage stress and emotional wellbeing of self or colleagues working in varied health and community service contexts.
Reflect on and improve own professional practice
This unit focuses on the importance of engaging in a reflective practice and professional development. Specifically, you will learn to reflect on and evaluate your professional practice, partake in supervision processes, and plan for ongoing professional development to support a sustainable practice framework.
Work effectively in trauma informed care
This unit provides the skills and knowledge required to practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care within a service.
Facilitate goal-directed planning *
Students will learn the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with people to plan and make informed decisions for the provision of services and resources aimed at maximising and enhancing their independence and quality of life.
Implement case management practice *
This unit focuses on the identification of complex issues, as well as how to initiate the case management process and develop a plan of action to address identified priorities.
Make safety plans with people who have been subjected to domestic and family violence #
Students will learn the skills and knowledge required to assess the vulnerabilities of people who have been subjected to domestic and family violence, and to work collaboratively with those people to develop implement and review safety plans.
Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence #
This unit provides and understanding how to counsel and facilitate the exploration of client issues and identify possible options by providing a safe and supportive environment. It includes encouraging clients to be actively involved in seeking their own solutions.
Coordinate complex case requirements # *
Students will gain the skills and knowledge required to coordinate multiple service requirements for people with complex needs within a case management framework.
Provide case management supervision #
This unit looks at how to take a leadership role in the delivery of quality case management. This includes disseminating information and providing advice on practice issues relating to case management within the organisation.
Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing *
In this unit, you will learn how to work collaboratively with individuals to assess, promote and review all aspects of wellbeing.
Facilitate goal-directed planning *
Students will learn the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with people to plan and make informed decisions for the provision of services and resources aimed at maximising and enhancing their independence and quality of life.
Implement case management practice *
This unit focuses on the identification of complex issues, as well as how to initiate the case management process and develop a plan of action to address identified priorities.
Coordinate complex case requirements # *
Students will gain the skills and knowledge required to coordinate multiple service requirements for people with complex needs within a case management framework.
Provide case management supervision #
This unit looks at how to take a leadership role in the delivery of quality case management. This includes disseminating information and providing advice on practice issues relating to case management within the organisation.
Work effectively in trauma informed care
This unit provides the skills and knowledge required to practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care within a service.
Make safety plans with people who have been subjected to domestic and family violence #
Students will learn the skills and knowledge required to assess the vulnerabilities of people who have been subjected to domestic and family violence, and to work collaboratively with those people to develop implement and review safety plans.
Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence #
This unit provides and understanding how to counsel and facilitate the exploration of client issues and identify possible options by providing a safe and supportive environment. It includes encouraging clients to be actively involved in seeking their own solutions.
Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing *
In this unit, you will learn how to work collaboratively with individuals to assess, promote and review all aspects of wellbeing.
# These units require the practical demonstration of skills in a real or simulated work environment.
* This course also requires completion of a work placement of a minimum of 100 hours.
At AIPC we have a payment method to suit every student. If you decide to pay for your course upfront you will enjoy a substantial discount, and you can concentrate on your studies without thinking about further payments.
If you would prefer to spread your payments, you can take advantage of our fortnightly or monthly payment plans.
To further assist make training as accessible as possible, we separate payment for tuition (theory elements) from that of the practical course elements. Payment for the practical elements is done as they are undertaken. See full details below.
We always strive to keep tuition as affordable as possible, opening up quality education for everyone.
Course* | Reduced Upfront Payment | Fortnightly Payments** | Monthly Payments** |
|---|---|---|---|
Diploma of Community Services | $4,990 | $147.50 | $295 |
Diploma of Community Services | $6,285 | $167.50 | $335 |
*Total upfront course cost with 1 Specialisation is $6,940, which includes tuition of $4,990, plus 10 practical sessions each of $195. The practical elements are paid for as they are undertaken. They can be completed by online group workshop, via Zoom/Skype, by uploading a video demonstration, or by having a private assessor assess your skills.
*Fortnightly/Monthly payments can be made by Credit Card or Direct Debit.
*Total upfront course cost with 2 Specialisations is $8,625, which includes tuition of $6,285, plus 12 practical sessions each of $195. The practical elements are paid for as they are undertaken. They can be completed by online group workshop, via Zoom/Skype, by uploading a video demonstration, or by having a private assessor assess your skills.
*Fortnightly/Monthly payments can be made by Credit Card or Direct Debit.
For over 30 years AIPC has set the benchmark for service and support in education. We offer a complete external study support system that has been developed and refined over decades of research and continual student feedback.
Unlimited access to the Institutes Toll Free 1300 Study Assistance Line, 9am to 5pm EST Monday to Friday.
The structure of the Diploma of Community Services ensures you graduate with sufficient practical skills so you can apply your knowledge with confidence.
Students can elect to complete the practical components through various means, such as a one-on-one or small group session with a private assessor. We have private assessors in numerous regional areas across Australia.
Students can also complete their practical components by video recording a demonstration of their skills. We have guidelines available to assist students compile their recordings and develop effective role plays to demonstrate their skills.
The Institute website is an extremely helpful study resource. Via the website you can access the My.AIPC Student Portal which is your link to numerous study support and e-learning functions. You can:
Download electronic versions of your workbooks
Complete your activities and upload for marking
Contact an Online Education Adviser for study assistance
Access the Knowledge Base, a massive database of the most commonly asked academic questions, categorised for particular subjects, activities and concepts
See when seminars are available in your area
Plus much more.
Request a Course Guide
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30-day money-back guarantee.
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Zero Risk
Your enrolment comes with a guarantee that empowers you to enrol risk-free. If, for any reason whatsoever you decide you do not want to proceed with your course within 30-day, we will give you a 100%, no questions asked, money back guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll choose one of two specialisations when you enrol, which defines which units you’ll take. Case Management covers goal-directed planning and implementation, coordinating complex case requirements and providing case management supervision to other workers. Responding to Family Violence covers trauma-informed practice, assessment, safety planning and counselling clients affected by domestic and family violence. You can also take both specialisations and bring the course to 24 units instead of 20.
The Diploma of Community Services qualifies you to work as an advocate in family welfare, community health, employment services and disability services. Your specialisation appears on your testamur, so graduates finish with a Diploma of Community Services (Case Management), (Responding to Family Violence) or both. Employers in the sector recognise the specialisation when they recruit for roles in those sectors.
Yes. You’ll complete a minimum of 100 hours of work placement, supporting real clients under the supervision of experienced staff. Several units also require you to demonstrate your skills before placement. The hours give you experience with the client group your specialisation covers, whether that turns out to be case management or family violence work.
We teach the Diploma of Community Services online, so wherever you live in Australia, you can work through the material at home and at whatever pace suits you. Most full-time students finish in 12 months, though taking both specialisations adds four units and stretches that out. The one part you’ll have to do in person are the 100 hours of placement, which you’ll complete in a community services organisation near you.
The course prepares you to support people through family welfare concerns, community health needs, unemployment and disability. Your specialisation narrows that further. Case Management students learn to coordinate support for clients whose circumstances involve several services at once. Responding to Family Violence students learn to assess risk, make safety plans and counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence.
A Certificate IV prepares you for entry-level community services work under supervision. This diploma qualifies you to manage your own caseload, coordinate complex cases and supervise other workers. It also has at least one named specialisation, which a Certificate IV does not. Our Certificate IV in Youth Work and Certificate IV in Mental Health both lead to diploma-level study.
Yes. The Case Management specialisation develops skills in supervising case management practice, helping prepare you for team leader and other senior roles in community services.Coordinating complex cases without close supervision is the other step up the diploma prepares you for. If you’re interested in counselling, our Bachelor of Counselling grants automatic credit to Diploma of Community Services graduates.
The Diploma of Community Services draws on leading authors, research and texts from around the world, giving you exposure to the key models and approaches shaping the sector today. Delivery is self-paced, so you can set your own schedule rather than following term dates. Entry is open to anyone over 18 with Year 12, a Certificate III, or three years of relevant life experience if you’re over 21.
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