Diploma of Community Services
Deliver, manage and coordinate person-centred services for individuals, groups and communities - with 200 hours of real industry work placement.
Course Information
This qualification reflects the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities.
At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management.
Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination.
The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 200 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency.
Entry Requirements
To ensure an appropriate learning opportunity, candidates need to demonstrate the following:
| English Language (International Students) | IELTS 6.0 or higher with a minimum score of 5.5 in each band or equivalent (e.g. EAL/ESL, ISLPR, CSWE etc.) English language test scores. |
|---|---|
| Academic Level | Minimum Year 12 or equivalent high school certificate. |
| Minimum Age | 18 years or over at the time of commencement. |
Note: Students who do not meet the minimum English requirement for this course will need to package this course with an appropriate English course before they can proceed into this course/qualification. An internal English test is available on request.
Aims and Learning Outcome
This course is aimed at:
- Developing and enhancing existing knowledge and skills in direct service work and client support in residential and community settings
- Developing skills to plan and deliver programs and services that meet various needs of individuals and families in a leadership capacity
- Developing and implementing policies, procedures, and practice required for effective case management
- Developing aspects of holistic approach to client needs
Supported Job Roles
Examples of possible job roles include:
Duration, Structure & Intakes
Course Duration and Structure
Course Duration: 78 Weeks (1.5 Years).
- This qualification is delivered over a period of 78 weeks and comprises:
- 60 weeks of scheduled training and assessment (6 terms of 10 weeks each)
- 18 weeks of scheduled breaks and holidays (6 breaks of 3 weeks each)
- Includes pre-training review, orientation, assessment completion and qualification issuance activities.
Notes: Contempo College has scheduled a minimum of 20 contact hours per week to support international students in meeting the study requirements associated with their Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500).
The course duration outlined in this calendar represents the standard full-time study load and may be reduced where a student is granted Credit Transfer (CT) and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
In addition to scheduled classes, students are expected to undertake independent learning activities outside of class hours, including homework, research, private study, revision, assessment preparation and examination preparation relevant to each unit of competency.
Students are responsible for maintaining satisfactory course progress and attendance in accordance with Contempo College policies and applicable visa conditions.
Intake Dates
2026
2027
Course Fees
| Fee Type | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $250.00 (Non-refundable) |
| Course Fee | $18,000.00 |
| Materials Fee | $500.00 |
Note: The Materials Fee covers all equipment and learning resources required for course delivery. Fees are subject to change and exclude Admin and Material fees, please contact the college for confirmation.
Units of Competency
This course training package requires students to successfully complete the following:
Core Units (12)
Elective Units (8)
Based on the course outcomes and training package requirements, the following elective units of competency have been selected for this qualification.
For more information refer to training.gov.au / CHC52025.
Delivery, Assessment & Support
Delivery Mode & Work Placement
Face to face, campus-based delivery, supported by industry work placement (200 hours). Modes include classroom based structured delivery and supervised and unsupervised self-study periods.
Work placement: this course includes a work placement of 200 hours to be completed within the course duration.
Required documents prior to WBT placement:
Assessments
This course's assessments include supervised formative and summative written assessments, exams/tests, case studies, projects, role play and project presentations in the classroom including assessments, roleplays, presentations, demonstration, and projects/assignments.
Combined assessment activities during work placement are observed by the workplace supervisor and assessor, along with research, report/paper/essay writing, preparation of presentations, analysing data and records, and unit specific tasks.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy Support
Strong language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills help students succeed in their studies, communicate confidently, and prepare for the workplace.
At Contempo College, all required students complete an LLND assessment during Orientation. This helps us understand your current skill levels and identify whether any extra support may be helpful. Based on the results, we provide appropriate learning support so you can build the skills needed to complete your course successfully and feel confident in your future career.
RPL & Credit Transfers
Contempo College provides Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT) options to all prospective students. Applications must be submitted prior to enrolment completion, with supporting evidence demonstrating existing competencies or equivalent qualifications for relevant course units. No RPL or CT applications will be accepted after enrolment is finalised.
Academic Pathways
On successful completion of CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services, students can progress to:
- BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) at Contempo College.
Or may pursue further study opportunities by enrolling in a higher-level management course or seek to study with an Australian university in a related undergraduate degree level program, or another advanced qualification from the Community Services training package.
Contempo's staff will help students with information regarding their enrolment into a relevant university. Contempo does not have any arrangements in place with any university.
Orientation
At Contempo College, we are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for our international students as they begin their studies and adjust to life in Australia. Our comprehensive orientation program is designed to provide essential support, promote wellbeing and set students up for academic success.
Settlement Support
Housing guidance, local area orientation, and cultural adjustment.
Legal & Visa Requirements
Understanding visa conditions, work rights, and compliance.
Health & Safety
Access to medical services, emergency contacts, and personal security tips.
Academic Success
Study skills workshops, language support, and campus resources.
Employment Readiness
Workplace rights, resume building, and career services.
Daily Life Essentials
Banking, transportation, and local community connections.
StudyPerth
Introduction to their support services for international students.
City of Perth
Your gateway to student discounts, libraries, transport networks, cultural experiences and essential city services.
Handbook & Course Flyer
International Student Handbook
In addition to in-person sessions, the information provided is also available in our International Student Handbook and online.
Click hereDownload Course Flyer
The full CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services course flyer, with everything on this page in a single PDF.
Click here to DownloadAgent Related Disclaimer: Information provided by education agents must be confirmed directly with Contempo College. Official course information is published on this website.
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