This qualification covers workers who provide a range of services and interventions to clients, and/or who implement community education and interventions. Work may take place in a range of contexts such as community based organisations, residential rehabilitation services and outreach services and workers may have supervisory responsibilities.
This course is in transition. You may be transferred to a replacement course in 2024.
1 semester full-time (approx. 15 hours per week) OR part-time equivalent after you have completed a Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015).
To maximise your job opportunities in the community, this qualification delivered as part of a suite of other similar CHC courses currently on offer that contain familiar subjects. You will be given significant credit and can potentially complete all 3 qualifications in 1 Year (CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services and CHC42115 Certificate IV in Community Development and CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services).
Alternatively, you can complete the Certificate IV in Community Services(CHC42015) in 2 semesters (approximately 15 hours per week) OR part-time equivalent.
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.
On completion of this qualification the worker will be able to design and deliver programs that aim to enhance the well being 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
To help with the enrolment process print your timetable, or keep the window open, so that you can refer back to it for your course code, course name, and the Course Reference Numbers (CRNs) or Block Code.
This course has a compulsory work placement (80 hours in total). 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'.
The preferred pathway is for all learners to complete a Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015) at CIT.
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 learning and success.
Canberra Institute of Technology Diploma of Community Services
Literacy Skills Information
We suggest that you will need Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 3 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.
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.
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.
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.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist clients to identify their rights, voice their needs and concerns and realise their interests, rights and needs.
This unit applies to workers of all levels in a range of health or community services settings who provide services using a human rights based approach and have direct interaction with clients.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide opportunities for community groups and individuals to participate and design cooperative arrangements for addressing common concerns.
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.
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.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with the community to develop relevant and effective resources to engender community support for initiatives aimed at specific groups.
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.
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.
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.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with individuals or groups in specific communities and support their engagement in making decisions that affects their lives.
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.
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.
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.
For more information about this course please contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au
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