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Certificate III in Community Services CHC32015
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Overview

This course is designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people either wishing to enter or already working in the community services sector. This qualification will enable you to provide day-to-day support to individuals and groups under the broad direction of others. It will prepare you to have direct contact with clients, identify presenting needs and refer to appropriate services and support. Our courses are delivered by well qualified and experienced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers within a community setting. We understand that sitting at desks and reading words from a board is not always the best process of learning. We build into your studies assistance with reading & writing and with your assessment tasks should this be required. This course has been designed as an entry pathway into the Certificate IV in Alcohol and other Drugs.

Qualification:

 Certificate III in Community Services CHC32015

Course start date:

 July 2025, February 2026

Course No:

 C3-YC09

Campus:

 CIT Reid*


*It is expected the location of this course will transition to the CIT Bruce campus in Term 4, 2025. CIT will provide support for students who will be making the move to Bruce.

Duration:

 1 semester full-time (approximately 15 hours per week) OR part-time equivalent. Plus additional 12 - 14 hours per week (approximately) individual learning such as online activities, workplace application, project and team work. This is a specialist qualification with job outcomes that can be completed in one semester.

Cost Info:

Enrolment fees for this course are based on the costs per subject as indicated below. The total course cost may vary depending on the choice of elective subjects or if subjects are attempted more than once. Subject costs identified as Standard are partially subsidised by the ACT Government. Concessions may be available to eligible students.

Indicative Cost:

 $1,364

Likely Job Outcome:

 - Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community development worker
- Neighbourhood centre worker
- Client contact
- Recreational activities officer (weekend)
- Community care worker
- Residential support worker
- Assistant community workers (focusing on community health primarily in an Indigenous community)
- Support worker (community based with an orientation toward any or a number of the following: youth, women, families, domestic violence, child protection)
- Indigenous youth worker
- Tenants working in a range of areas
- Intake and referral worker (Aboriginal)
- Youth case worker (community health service setting - non residential)
- Juvenile justice court officer
- Youth housing support worker
- Juvenile justice officer
- Youth worker
- Juvenile justice officer (community)

Application Type:

 Standard
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Timetable

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

Additional Information

This course is delivered in partnership with Northside Community Services.
Childcare and other wrap-around support is available for students wishing to enrol in this course.
To obtain work in this industry you must be eligible to apply for, and hold a 'Working with Vulnerable People Check'.

Entry Requirements

On entry, you will need to demonstrate appropriate literacy skills by undertaking a literacy assessment. We have embedded literacy into our course to support your overall learning and success.

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 levels of at least 2 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 a lower level course, or enrol in the Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways (FSK20119) to develop your literacy skills. Please visit CIT Foundation Skills page.

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 12 subjects

Core: Complete all 5

  • CHCDIV001   Work with diverse people
    • CIT Code: CLTS145
      Cost: Standard $62.00
      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
  • CHCCOM005   Communicate and work in health or community services
    • CIT Code: COMM500
      Cost: Standard $70.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers. This unit applies to a range of health and community service contexts where workers may communicate face-to-face, in writing or using digital media and work with limited responsibility under direct or indirect supervision.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTWHS006   Manage personal stressors in the work environment
    • CIT Code: HESC522
      Cost: Standard $39.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress. This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCCS016   Respond to client needs
    • CIT Code: WELF477
      Cost: Standard $132.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to respond holistically to client needs. Clients may have a range of issues outside and in addition to the area of immediate focus or expertise of the worker and their organisation. The unit applies to workers in a range of community services contexts who provide person-centred support to clients.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTWHS002   Follow safe work practices for direct client care
    • CIT Code: WPHS114
      Cost: Standard $66.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for a worker to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others in work environments that involve caring directly for clients. It has a focus on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members. This unit applies to all workers who require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out their own work, in both centre-based and home-based service provision.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Electives: Complete minimum of 5

  • CHCGRP001   Support group activities
    • CIT Code: COMM502
      Cost: Standard $66.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to participate in, and provide general support for, group work. It does not include the leadership or facilitation of groups. This unit applies to individuals involved group work in a range of community service settings. They work according to established organisation procedures.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCDE003   Work within a community development framework
    • CIT Code: HUSE480
      Cost: Standard $143.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work within a community development framework. A community development framework, may include a range of methods designed to strengthen and develop communities by enhancing individual and group capacity to confidently engage with community structures and to address problems and issues. This unit applies to workers in both health and community sectors and/or a community development work context. Workers at this level will be part of a professional team and under the guidance of a supervisor.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCAOD001   Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
    • CIT Code: HUSE493
      Cost: Standard $176.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. This unit applies to workers who come into contact with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMHS001   Work with people with mental health issues
    • CIT Code: HUSE500
      Cost: Standard $200.00
      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
  • CHCCOM001   Provide first point of contact
    • CIT Code: WELF488
      Cost: Standard $77.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to greet clients and exchange routine information, to prioritise the individual's needs, and to respond to immediate needs. This unit applies to service delivery in all community services and health contexts. Workers at this level work under supervision with limited responsibility.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDIV002   Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
    • CIT Code: YURA101
      Cost: Standard $72.00
      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
  • CHCPRT001   Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
    • CIT Code: CHIL300
      Cost: Standard $88.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support and protect children and young people who are at risk of harm. This work occurs within legislative and policy frameworks and carries a duty of care responsibility. This unit applies to workers in a range of job roles providing services to children and young people including in community services and health contexts.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Electives: May complete maximum of 2

  • CHCGRP002   Plan and conduct group activities
    • CIT Code: HUSE512
      Cost: Standard $154.00
      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
  • CHCLEG001   Work legally and ethically
    • CIT Code: LEGL219
      Cost: Standard $84.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role. This unit applies to community services and health workers who play a proactive role in identifying and meeting their legal and ethical responsibilities.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCOM002   Use communication to build relationships
    • CIT Code: COMM498
      Cost: Standard $157.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge to apply specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust. This unit applies to work across a range of workplace contexts where workers at all levels may communicate with individuals and/or groups both in person and in writing.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Related Courses

Certificate IV Alcohol and Other Drugs CHC43215
Certificate II General Education for Adults 22473VIC
Certificate II Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts CUA20420
Statement Attainment Road Ready

More Information

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