CHC52025

Diploma of Community Services

Learning Mode

Online/Face to Face

Location

Adelaide, Port Augusta, Berri

Duration

17 Months

Study Load

Full Time

Course Overview

Make a real difference in people’s lives

The Diploma of Community Services (CHC52025) is a nationally recognised qualification that equips you to deliver, coordinate, and manage services that improve lives and strengthen communities.

Delivered as a blend of online and face to face learning in Adelaide, Port Augusta and Berri, this program prepares you to work with individuals, families, and groups in diverse service settings. You’ll gain the specialised knowledge and practical experience needed to provide person-centred, trauma-responsive, and culturally safe support.

With community services among Australia’s fastest-growing industries, this diploma gives you the skills and confidence to thrive in a career that makes a meaningful impact.

Why Choose This Course?

  • High job demand: Jobs and Skills Outlook 2024 highlights strong growth in health care and social assistance, with community and personal service workers in high demand across South Australia.

  • Diverse career opportunities: Graduates are prepared for frontline and leadership roles, from case management and program coordination to client advocacy and service delivery.

  • Future-focused learning: Gain real-world experience through supervised work placement and practical assessments.

  • Leadership preparation: Learn to manage staff and volunteers, supervise case management, and contribute to service improvement.

Career Opportunities

The Diploma of Community Services can lead to roles such as:

  • Case Manager

  • Family Support Worker

  • Program Coordinator

  • Youth Worker

  • Welfare Worker

  • Support Facilitator

  • Client Services Manager

  • Community Services Worker

These roles exist across government, not-for-profit, and community organisations, with strong employment opportunities across metropolitan, regional, and rural South Australia.

Pathways for Further Study

Completing the Diploma of Community Services can open doors to higher qualifications, including:

  • Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

  • Bachelor-level study in social work, psychology, or social sciences

  • Specialist training in areas such as social housing, child, youth and family welfare, or family violence response

This qualification can also be a stepping stone toward leadership positions within the sector.

Key focus areas include:

  • Case management and client advocacy

  • Responding to family and domestic violence

  • Working with diversity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

  • Crisis intervention and co-existing needs

  • Program design, supervision, and service quality improvement

Work Placement Requirements

To graduate, you must complete at least 100 hours of supervised work placement. This ensures you gain practical, workplace-ready experience.

  • All placements must be approved by AISR to meet assessment requirements.

  • Where possible, AISR may arrange placements within Relationships Australia SA programs, though places are limited. Students should be prepared to arrange placements with other community organisations.

This combination of study and practical placement ensures you graduate ready to make an immediate contribution to the sector.

Why Study With AISR?

  • Delivered by Relationships Australia SA, a trusted leader in community and family services

  • Supportive learning environment with expert trainers

  • Flexible study design to fit around work and personal commitments

  • Pathways into advanced study and leadership roles

This course is nationally recognised and accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority.
If you have experience or have studied in a relevant field you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites. Entry is open to people from varied backgrounds, including those with paid, volunteer, or lived experience.

Units of Competency

1 Case Management Focus

  • CHCCSM010 Implement case management practice
  • CHCCSM012 Coordinate complex case requirements
  • CHCCSM017 Facilitate and review case management

2 Inclusive and Restorative Practices 

  • CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
    cultural safety
  • CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
  • CHCDEV005 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people
    in community work and services
  • CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs

3 Navigating Complexities 

  • CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
  • CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
  • CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs

4 Responding to Client Adversities

  • CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
  • CHCPRT025 Identify and report children and young people at
    risk
  • CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance

5 Counselling in Focus

  • CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
  • CHCCSL002 Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling
    interview skills
  • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
  • CHCCSM009 Facilitate goal directed planning

6 Strengthening Professional Practice

  • HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
  • CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support
    process
  • CHCCSM014 Provide case management supervision

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) credit may be granted for relevant prior study or experience. For more details on the RPL process, visit: RPL page

Fee

$7000 Full Fee
$1500 (Tuition Gap Fee) for participants eligible for SA Government subsidies
$770 (Tuition Fee Gap) for participants eligible for SA Government subsidies with valid concession card
Visit Skills SA to check your eligibility
For more information visit our fees and payments page

Qualification Information Brochure

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the cultural, spiritual and economic sovereignty of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We understand that the ongoing violation of this sovereignty continues to harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s relationships, health, wellbeing and aspirations.

We are committed to strengthening the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

We recognise that respecting and nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a benefit for all Australians.

We especially honour the Kaurna Elders of the Adelaide Plains and the Elders of the River Murray and Mallee Region, which includes: Ngaiawang, Ngawait, Nganguruku, Erawirung, Ngintait, Ngaraite, Ngarkat and small parts of Maraura and Daanggali, and Elders of Barngarla Country in the Far North and Boandik Land in Mount Gambier, upon whose country Relationships Australia South Australia offices are located.

As educators we recognise the Ancient Universities and ways of knowing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have existed for millennia, and we respect and honour First Nations expertise.