The Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling) (CHC52108) is offered by Relationships Australia (SA), through its Registered Training Organisation, the Australian Institute of Social Relations as:
- A learning and assessment program called ‘Mixed Mode’
- An assessment only program called ‘Recognition’.
CHC52108 Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling) applies to financial counselling, a specialist service assisting people faced with debt and other financial issues.
Financial counselling requires specialist knowledge, and paralegal skills and competencies, especially in regard to credit and debt issues affecting clients and their rights and obligations and a solid understanding of social and systemic issues that impact on financial counselling clients.
This qualification is NOT related to the work performed by financial planners or financial advisers whose role is to provide clients with strategies to address their investment options.
Financial counsellors provide information to consumers in financial difficulty. A thorough assessment of an individual or family's situation is followed by identifying what can be done to address the financial problems, and the possible advantages and disadvantages of those choices. Financial Counsellors are based in community agencies and are funded largely by State or the Federal Governments.
Counsellors are required to act in the paramount interests of consumers, free of any conflict of interest and free of any commercial benefit. They provide a FREE, INDEPENDENT & CONFIDENTIAL service.
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This qualification is for people who are interested in undertaking work within community services to provide Financial Counselling services to clients and this work may be applied within the contexts of casework, community development and social justice. It will suit those with an existing interest in budgeting and financial management, financial literacy and financial institution accountability and credit reform.
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Holding the qualification is not enough on its own. You also need to have experience working in financial counselling before you can be recognised as a financial counsellor. In some states, you are required to work under supervision for 12 months before you can be accredited as a financial counsellor.
Financial Counsellors must be members of a recognised financial counselling association. You become an accredited financial counsellor by being a fully accredited member of your State or Territory association of financial counsellors. Each State or Territory association has its own rules for accreditation, but they are based on you holding a qualification and having work experience. The rules may also require on-going training. For further information please refer to the AFCRRA website.
A financial counsellor:
- Does not charge fees to clients
- Does not receive any payments or commissions from third parties for their services
- Has appropriate training
- Is eligible for membership of a financial counselling association
- Is exempt from the requirement to hold a financial services licence and a credit licence.
We strongly recommend that you read the information contained on the AFCRRA website before making your application to participate in this program or contact your local State or Territory Financial Counselling Association.
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Candidates seeking entry to this qualification need to demonstrate that they have sufficient relevant experience to indicate likely success at this level of qualification in the work role that involves the:
- Self direct application of knowledge
- Exercise of independent judgement
- Application of technical and other skills.
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The qualification is delivered in three topics/work areas through facilitated online learning, and a face to face intensive held at the Australian Institute of Social Relations in Adelaide, South Australia. This flexible delivery provides access to a broad range of resources and information, as well as opportunities to maximise professional relationships. All students are expected to pay for their own travel and accommodation in addition to the course costs.
The course topics are offered online over 24 weeks with each week requiring 10 – 15 hour commitment. The learning and assessment program is delivered using a variety of learning activities including role play, forum discussion, case study analysis, quizzes and practice assessment supervised by qualified and experienced Financial Counsellors and Trainers and Assessors.
MODULES |
COURSE DATES
|
TOPICS
|
TIME FRAME
|
Module 1 - Financial counselling skills and knowledge
(delivered online) |
Mon 27 Feb to Fri 4 May |
1. What's my Role 2. Financial Literacy (Supporting Clients) 3. Referral - who can I refer to? 4. Dealing with Creditors 5. Debt 6. Court System 7. Bankruptcy 8. Ethics 9. Put it all together 10. Assignment week |
10 Weeks |
Break |
Mon 7 to Fri 11 May
|
|
1 Week |
Module 2 - Counselling frameworks
(structure 4 weeks online, finishing with 5 days face to face) |
Mon 14 May to Fri 8 June |
1. Why use Counselling Skills in Financial Counselling - work within a structured counselling framework 2. A Way of Being - reflect & improve skills 3. A Way of Understanding - facilitate the counselling relationship 4. A Way of Intervening - respond holistically to client issues & refer appropriately |
4 Weeks |
Break |
Mon 11 to Fri 15 June
|
|
1 Week |
Module 2 - Face to Face - Adelaide |
Mon 18 to Fri 22 June |
|
1 Week |
Module 3 - Responding to client needs
(all online) |
Mon 25 June to 10 Aug |
1. The Community Sector 2. Communication and Planning your Project 3. Working with Community 4. Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare 5. Running your Project and Cultural Issues 6. Advocacy, Skill Development & Presentation Rehearsal 7. Final Project and Course Reflections |
7 Weeks |
Total |
|
|
24 Weeks
(including breaks) |
The next intake is scheduled for Monday, 27 February 2012 with applications closing on Friday 17 February. Download the Feb 2012 Intake Course Timetable.
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The Diploma is comprised of 17 nationally recognised units of competency aligned to the above listed ‘topics.
Core units of competency
CHCAD401D - Advocate for clients
CHCCD404D - Develop and implement community programs
CHCCS411A - Work effectively in the community sector
CHCCSL501A - Work within a structured counselling framework
CHCCSL502A - Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
CHCCSL503A - Facilitate the counselling relationship
CHCCSL507A - Support clients in decision-making processes
CHCCSL509A - Reflect and improve upon counselling skills
CHCFIN501A - Identify and apply technical information to assist clients with financial issues
CHCFIN502A - Facilitate the financial counselling process
CHCFIN503A - Develop and use financial counselling tools and techniques
CHCLEG411A - Use relevant legislation in response to client needs
HLTOHS300A - Contribute to OHS processes
Elective units of competency
HLTHIR403B - Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
CHCCS502A - Maintain legal and ethical work practices
CHCCS422A - Respond holistically to client issues and refer appropriately
FNSFLT503A - Promote basic financial literacy skills
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The course is available to students across Australia.
The learning and assessment program is delivered online and includes one or more telephone or web conferencing plus the Face to Face intensive. All topics can be completed within one year.
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Applications for the next mixed mode intake are open from now until Friday, 17 February 2012.
The following mixed mode program will commence on Monday, 27 February 2012.
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Recognition enables applicants to have their existing skills and knowledge relating to financial counselling acknowledged and status granted where appropriate. This is available for people with relevant experience in financial counselling, counselling, advocacy and community development.
Applications for recognition are open now. Read the Recognition information sheet.
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Cost for the full qualification by Mixed Mode is $3740.
Costs of travel to Adelaide and accommodation to participate in the face to face component are not included.
Cost for the full qualification by Recognition is $1275.
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As an online program and for you to get the most out of the program, we recommend that you have reliable broadband access and up to date software programs including ‘Adobe Reader’ and media players such as ‘Quick Time’, ‘Flash’ or ‘Windows Media Player’. A web conferencing tool will be used as part of the program. More details will be provided upon commencement of the course.
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A variety of techniques are used to gather evidence of your competence to meet the competency and qualification requirements including:
- Online quizzes and short answer responses
- Participation in structured activities such as live online forums
- Direct observation
- Reflective journaling
- Third party feedback and self reflection
- Written essays, short answer questions and/or reports.
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To apply for entry into this qualification please fax, post or email the relevant application form and complete the pre-entry quiz.
Further information on the course, please e-mail RTO@rasa.org.au or telephone (08) 8245 8100.
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