CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services
Passionate about helping people? Then make it your career with a Diploma of Community Services. Learn how you can provide support to people who need it the most – while gearing up for leadership roles in the community services industry.
Mt Helen Campus (Day Course)
Course essentials
Qualification Code
Entry requirements
Duration
Locations
Course overview
Community service professionals develop and implement support programs for people who need extra help. From women fleeing family violence, to children needing care, to people with a disability who want support.
This course is designed to prepare you to take on roles in government-funded, not-for-profit and charitable organisations in Australia. You’ll learn the real impact of the sociological issues affecting individuals, and how you can implement programs that can support and strengthen small communities.
Upon completion you will be qualified to work in the following wide range of rewarding and dynamic roles from entry level and above:
- crisis care response
- respite and support care
- advocacy
- casework
- counselling
- program and policy development
- administration and management
You’ll develop specialised knowledge and the skills needed to plan, develop and implement strategies to diverse work situations. You’ll develop leadership skills to prepare you to supervise volunteers or other employees. You’ll learn how to work closely with a diverse group of people to address diverse issues, needs and problems in the community.
This course requires students to complete a 100-hour practical placement where you’ll have the opportunity to watch and learn from other professionals. You’ll practice using your discretion and judgment when carrying out your work in the context of established policies and procedures.
Our team will help to find placement opportunities with local organisations. Prior to placement, we help guide you through the mandatory documents required (police check, Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check) and then confirm your placement hours.
Students enrolling in CHC50121 will transition to the updated qualification, CHC50125, during the first semester of 2026.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Federation TAFE
Career paths
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
2026 indicative fees
The fees you pay will depend on your eligibility for a Victorian Government subsidised place under the Skills First Program. The indicative fees displayed below are estimates for the total course and may change depending on individual circumstances at enrolment.
Fees are subject to change annually.
| Concession Government Subsidised Place | Standard Government Subsidised Place | Full Fee Place (Not eligible for government subsidy) |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | $9,782 | $19,272 |
Fee assistance
If you’re eligible for a VET Student Loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your tuition fee up to a maximum of $19,290. You won’t have to start paying the loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Other important information
If you need help managing your fee payments, you might be eligible for a direct debit payment plan. Students doing certificate-level TAFE courses can access payment plans for both tuition and materials fees. Diploma and advanced diploma students can access payment plans for materials fees only.
If you’re accessing government-subsidised training under the Skills First Program, doing this course might affect your ability to access future government-subsidised training.
If you’re eligible to enrol in a course under the Victorian Government Free TAFE initiative, the tuition would be free but you’d still have to pay the materials fee (if applicable).
Find out more about fees, payments and refunds.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
Locations
Mt Helen (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
Contact hours
Mt Helen Campus (Day Course)
- One day face to face class and one day online per week (TBA) from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm
Traineeship enrolment
- Trainees: a minimum of 3 hours per week to be allocated to the trainee for completing coursework and a trainer will visit the workplace at least 4 times a year to complete assessments.
Additional study time is required to complete assessments, reading, and activities. We recommend that approximately 10 hours per week should be put aside for these activities.
Work integrated learning
This course requires students to complete a 100-hour practical placement where you’ll have the opportunity to watch and learn from other professionals. You’ll practice using your discretion and judgment when carrying out your work in the context of established policies and procedures.
Our team will help to find placement opportunities with local organisations. Prior to placement, we help guide you through the mandatory documents required (police check, Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check) and then confirm your placement hours.
Sample course structure
This is a list of units available in this course. Which units you enrol in will depend on the course and stream available.
- Assess co-existing needsCHCCCS004
- Develop and implement service programsCHCCCS007
- Recognise and respond to crisis situationsCHCCCS019
- Facilitate and review case managementCHCCSM017
- Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and servicesCHCDEV005
- Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violenceCHCDFV001
- Work with diverse peopleCHCDIV001
- Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safetyCHCDIV002
- Manage legal and ethical complianceCHCLEG003
- Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processesCHCMGT005
- Reflect on and improve own professional practiceCHCPRP003
- Maintain work health and safetyHLTWHS003
- Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issuesCHCAOD004
- Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicideCHCCCS003
- Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skillsCHCCSL002
- Work with people with mental health issuesCHCMHS001
- Implement trauma informed careCHCMHS013
- Identify and report children and young people at riskCHCPRT025
- Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessnessCHCSOH013
- Provide First AidHLTAID011
Entry requirements
Must have working with children check, NDIS check and police check before commencing work placement. Applicants need to be 18 years of age or older.
If enrolling as a Trainee, all Trainees must have a signed training contract between employer and trainee lodged with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN). Information on Government employment incentives/subsidies and wages is also available from AASN's.
How you apply will depend on your current situation. Visit our how to apply page for options and instructions.
After you submit your application, we’ll get you to do an online literacy and numeracy review to help us understand where you’re at (and if the course you’re applying for is a good fit). We’ll give you feedback and offer you support if needed.
For information about students’ rights and responsibilities, please refer to the VET Information Guide.
- VTAC application
- Yes
- VTAC code
- 3700510514 - Mt Helen (on campus)
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- LDP
- National course code
- CHC52025
CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
Hear from our students
Hi, my name is Maddie and I'm studying a Bachelor of Education. I'm specialising in inclusive Ed and I'm in my third year of studies. I chose to study at Fed Uni because it is close to home and because I had a few friends who were studying here as well. I would recommend federation to those considering studying because of the placement opportunities they have here. This year as part of my diversity placement I was given the opportunity to travel to the NT to a remote indigenous community. This option was available to all students in my degree in the third year and it was made even more accessible as the majority of the accommodation and flights were funded by the Uni Arunga. The community I was placed in was the most beautiful little community with wonderful students and incredible classroom facilities. I'm so glad and proud of myself for taking that leap of faith because now I have so many more skills and experiences under my belt. This opportunity will be something I'll happily share with anyone and we'll think about forever. I really couldn't recommend this programme more.