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Diploma of Community Services CHC52021
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Overview

Step into a future where your passion fuels positive change with our CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services. With a strong emphasis on person-centred care, leadership, and practical experience, this dynamic and inspiring course is designed for those driven to uplift and empower individuals, groups, and entire communities.

Throughout your enriching academic journey, you'll cultivate specialised skills and knowledge to confidently navigate the diverse landscape of the community services sector. Whether your ambitions lie in spearheading change, offering essential mental health and substance use support, undertaking case management, advocating for evidence-based practices or designing and implementing life-changing programs, this qualification will empower you with the acumen to be a skilled professional, capable of working autonomously within your scope of practice.

Embrace your vocation and ignite the spark of change today!

Qualification:

 Diploma of Community Services CHC52021

Course start date:

 July 2025, February 2026

Course No:

 DP-HS51

Campus:

 CIT Bruce 

Duration:

 Students entering the Diploma of Community Services without holding one of the recommended pathway qualifications will complete their qualification in 5 terms fulltime – 10 weeks per term or parttime equivalent.

This includes 20-25 hours a week of contact hours featuring face to face classes, roleplay activities, academic support and work placement. (This pathway is not available to International Students)

Students that enter the Diploma of Community Services from one of the recommended pathway options their course is structured across 3 terms - 10 weeks per term or parttime equivalent. This includes between 21 hours (Term 1) to 25 hours (Term 2 and 3) contact hours, featuring face to face classes, roleplay activities, academic support and work placement.

This will be complemented by up to 5-10 hours each week of self-directed study and assessment preparation to reinforce and expand on the learning outcomes

Cost Info:

Further information about fees is available at Course fees and assistance

Indicative Cost:

 $6,240

Likely Job Outcome:

Upon successful completion of the Diploma of Community Services, graduates are poised to step into influential positions where they can design and deliver transformative and evidence-based programs aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of individuals and communities. These professionals are equipped to work across diverse settings, including government agencies, non-profit organisations, community health centres, and residential care facilities.

Occupations may include:

  • Community Work Coordinator
  • Community Housing Resources Worker
  • Coordinator of Volunteer Work
  • Team Leader
  • Disability Team Leader
  • Community Care Manager
  • Housing Manager
  • Case Manager
  • Program Coordinator
  • Community Recreation Coordinator
  • Community Welfare Worker
  • Family Services Coordinator

Application Type:

 Portfolio - Standard
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Timetable

To find out more about class scheduling, request a timetable.

Additional Information

The electives for this qualification have been carefully curated in consultation with and feedback from industry stakeholders. Students are required to complete 12 core units and 8 specified elective units.

If you enter the Diploma of Community Services through one of the below recommended pathway qualifications, you will receive credit transfers for 8-9 units previously studied.

Entry pathways into the qualification are:

Holding one or more of the following qualifications:

  • CHC42021 Certificate IV Community Services
  • CHC42121 Certificate IV Community Development
  • CHC40421 Certificate IV in Youth Work
  • CHC43315 Certificate IV Mental Health
  • CHC43215 Certificate IV Alcohol and other Drugs

Note: International students must hold at least one of the above qualifications to enter the program.

The Diploma of Community Services has a mandatory 200 hours of Professional Placement that is scheduled in the weekly timetable.

Is a Diploma in Community Services Right for You?

Before enrolling in the Diploma of Community Services, it's important to reflect on the inherent values and personal qualities that underpin work in this field. Community service work is deeply rewarding- but also emotionally complex and ethically demanding. The role requires not only practical skills but also emotional resilience, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to ethical, person-centred practice.

As a prospective student, we encourage you to consider whether you already possess these qualities, or if you're willing and ready to grow in these areas throughout your learning journey. Doing so can help you identify any potential challenges early and prepare for the learning curve ahead - so you can thrive in both your studies and future career in this meaningful sector.

Key Attributes for a graduate of Diploma in Community Services -

Empathy and Compassion - The ability to care deeply and respond sensitively to others. Compassion motivates you to support people through hardship without burnout or judgement.

Emotional Resilience - Remaining steady, calm, and reflective during emotionally intense situations. Helps you manage stress and support others effectively.

Non-Judgement and Openness – The ability to support others without stigma or bias, regardless of their background or experience. It is key for creating safe, inclusive and culturally sensitive support environments for clients and staff.

Cultural Sensitivity - Valuing and adapting to the needs of people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Strong Ethical Compass – An inner sense of right and wrong and a commitment to doing the right thing even under pressure. This attribute is essential for working within professional boundaries, confidentiality and duty of care.

Self-Awareness - Recognising how your own beliefs, values, life experiences and emotions may impact your work.

Respectful Communication - Listening deeply and communicating clearly, kindly, and inclusively. An essential skill to effectively communicate with clients, families and other professionals.

Teamwork and Collaboration – The ability to work well with others and contribute positively to the work environment.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving – Naturally seek out practical solutions to complex issues faced by clients and staff, navigate systems and link people to support.

Adaptability – Be comfortable working in a fast-changing environment with varying client needs and the ability to adjust your approach when needed.

Reliable – Being consistent, punctual and always using professional language.

Commitment to Continuous Learning: Engaging in ongoing professional development ensures that workers stay informed about best practices and emerging issues in the field.

These qualities not only support your success in the course—they are the foundation of ethical, compassionate, and effective practice. They shape how you relate to others, respond to challenges, and build trust in your future role.

In addition to these personal qualities, students will also need a basic level of digital literacy, along with regular access to a computer and reliable internet to engage with course materials and assessments.

Entry Requirements

Before commencing a compulsory 200-hour industry placement and project work in the local community, students must have obtained a National Police Check and possess a Working with Vulnerable Peoples card (WWVP- ACT) or a Working with Children Check (WWCC-NSW).

Skills Recognition

To study any course at CIT (excluding non-accredited training) you must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

Literacy Skills Information

We suggest that you will need Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 4 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this course. If you do not have this level, you can still enrol and seek support to improve your skills or you may prefer to begin with the lower level course. Please visit Foundation Skills.

Transition Information

Qualifications at CIT are regularly updated or replaced to meet current industry needs and maximise your employment opportunities. If this occurs while you are part way through a qualification, you may need to vary your learning to meet the new national requirements. CIT will aim to make this as smooth as possible for you.

Subject Cancellations/Changes

To ensure positive outcomes for all students, CIT may need to cancel or change classes at short notice. CIT will make every effort to inform students as soon as changes are made and will also make every effort to offer alternative arrangements for students to meet the requirements of the subject and complete their qualification. In an unfortunate instance when this cannot be met, you will receive a full refund. Please ensure you maintain current contact details via CIT Self Service or by contacting CIT Student Services at infoline@cit.edu.au.


Subject Information

Complete 20 subjects

Core: Complete all 12

  • CHCCCS004   Assess co-existing needs
    • CIT Code: WELF456
      Cost: Standard $250.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs. This unit applies in a range of community service contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCCS007   Develop and implement service programs
    • CIT Code: HUSE495
      Cost: Standard $240.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to engage consumers, analyse service needs of particular groups and develop programs and services to meet those needs. This unit applies to workers coordinating or managing teams and operations in varied service delivery contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCCS019   Recognise and respond to crisis situations
    • CIT Code: WELF464
      Cost: Standard $140.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services. This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCSM013   Facilitate and review case management
    • CIT Code: HUSE546
      Cost: Standard $960.00
      Description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan, monitor and review case management.Workers at this level work within organisational policies and procedures and may work autonomously or in consultation with supervisor or team leader.This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services contexts.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDEV005   Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services
    • CIT Code: HUSE547
      Cost: Standard $750.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to analyse impacts of sociological factors when undertaking community work and associated services.The unit describes the application of knowledge of the broad social and cultural context in which work is planned and implemented in the community services industry.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDFV001   Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
    • CIT Code: HUSE548
      Cost: Standard $330.00
      Description: This unit describes the knowledge and skills required 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.This unit applies to health and community service workers providing services according to established organisation procedures. These workers may not be specialised family violence workers.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDIV001   Work with diverse people
    • CIT Code: CLTS145
      Cost: Standard $70.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDIV002   Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
    • CIT Code: YURA101
      Cost: Standard $80.00
      Description: The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety. This unit applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCLEG003   Manage legal and ethical compliance
    • CIT Code: LEGL220
      Cost: Standard $190.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research information about compliance and ethical practice responsibilities, and then develop and monitor policies and procedures to meet those responsibilities. This unit applies to people working in roles with managerial responsibility for legal and ethical compliance in small to medium sized organisations. There may or may not be a team of workers involved.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMGT005   Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
    • CIT Code: WELF476
      Cost: Standard $900.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and support workers. This includes implementing support processes to manage stress and emotional wellbeing of self or colleagues working in varied health and community service contexts. It also involves facilitating structured debriefing sessions to colleagues following incidents with the potential to impact on health and wellbeing. This unit applies to leadership or management roles where the individual provides peer to peer support to colleagues and refers to specialised support services in line with organisation guidelines as required.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCPRP003   Reflect on and improve own professional practice
    • CIT Code: WELF469
      Cost: Standard $200.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTWHS003   Maintain work health and safety
    • CIT Code: WPHS102
      Cost: Standard $100.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team. This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Electives: Complete 8

  • CHCGRP002   Plan and conduct group activities
    • CIT Code: HUSE512
      Cost: Standard $170.00
      Description: This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to establish, lead and participate in a groups using a collaborative, strengths-based approach. This unit applies to any individual involved in planning and leading group activities. Groups may be formal or informal.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMHS007   Work effectively in trauma informed care
    • CIT Code: WELF467
      Cost: Standard $130.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care within a service. This unit applies to individuals working in the community services and health sectors where services are informed by the knowledge and understanding of central trauma, particularly the impact of interpersonal violence.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCPOL003   Research and apply evidence to practice
    • CIT Code: HUSE504
      Cost: Standard $170.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish the information need, gather information and critically analyse the information for relevance to own work. This unit applies to health and community service workers who need to research existing information to support and improve their work practice. It does not cover primary research.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMGT003   Lead the work team
    • CIT Code: MGNT785
      Cost: Standard $240.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake supervisory and coordinating activities in work groups in health and community service organisations. Workers at this level are team leaders or managers responsible for coordinating and monitoring the activities and performance of work teams and other service providers. This unit applies to a range of leadership roles in health and community services workplaces.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • PSPGEN124   Provide workplace coaching
    • CIT Code: PSAD476
      Cost: Standard $580.00
      Description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide on-the-job coaching to colleagues. This unit aligns to requirements in workplaces where formal and informal on-the-job coaching applies. This unit applies to those working in generalist and specialist roles within the public sector or similar organisational contexts. Those undertaking this unit work independently, performing complex tasks in a range of familiar contexts.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCPRP001   Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
    • CIT Code: COMM499
      Cost: Standard $190.00
      Description: This unit describes 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. This unit applies to work in all industry sectors, and to individuals who take pro-active responsibility for improving collaboration between workers and organisations.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMHS001   Work with people with mental health issues
    • CIT Code: HUSE500
      Cost: Standard $220.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish relationships, clarify needs, and then work collaboratively with people who are living with mental health issues. This unit applies to support workers in contexts outside the mental health sector, but who come into contact with people with mental health issues. The services and support provided are not mental health specific.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCYTH016   Respond to critical situations
    • CIT Code: HUSE560
      Cost: Standard $330.00
      Description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to maintain safety through effective response to potential and actual critical situations.This unit applies to staff working in specialist services in residential work sites or in the community.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Related Courses

Certificate IV Community Services CHC42021
Certificate IV Community Development CHC42121

More Information

For more information about this course please contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au