CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services - International

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Intakes

2026 February
2026 July

Locations

Geelong City Campus
Werribee Princes Campus

Duration

Full-time: 15 months

CRICOS code

115169H

Fee

$14,530

Course description

Support your community and people experiencing hardship as you develop the knowledge needed for a rewarding career in the diverse community services industry.

The Diploma of Community Services course will build your leadership capabilities and give you the specialised skills you need to work in the community services sector, supporting the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities and helping to facilitate social change.

You’ll be qualified to manage a range of responsibilities while supporting people who are disadvantaged and vulnerable. If you're driven to empower diverse communities, passionate about social justice and want to challenge the social structures that maintain disadvantage, then this qualification can help you achieve your goals.

Community Services workers empower and support disadvantaged and vulnerable people to achieve their goals. They provide housing, mental health, disability, multicultural, financial, youth, domestic and family violence support. Your experience and career goals will help determine your pathway.

Possible career outcomes

Case worker/Manager
Community services worker
Domestic and family violence worker
Family support worker
Family services coordinator
Program coordinator

Work placement/industry experience

Duration & Structure	210 Hours of required Placement. Between 30 - 38 hours per week across 6-8 weeks.
Location	Work placements will take place in a range of local and regional community service organisations. * Note you may be required to travel outside your usual training location to attend placement, which may include other regional areas or suburbs of Melbourne.
Organised by	The Gordon negotiates the practical/industry placements.
Additional requirements	Students MUST; • Successfully complete the necessary theory units of the course and demonstrate readiness to work in the Community (i.e. communication, interpersonal skills, and professional behaviours). • Current Working with Children Check (WWCC) $130 or free for Volunteer. • Current National Police Check $87 or $30 of Volunteer. • Student Placement NDIS Check $131. • Any additional evidence your work placement provider requires.
Additional Information	*Placement is not paid work and student will not receive payment for undertaking practical placement. Students do not need to be working in the sector for our blended course. Attendance on campus and in the virtual classroom is a requirement for this course. Working in Industry: Students can apply to have their current role ‘Working in Industry’ 110 hours recognised. Your organisation, employment and role must meet The Gordon’s work placement suitability criteria at an approved Community Services Agency. Students are still required to undertake any assessments attached to placement, along with supervisor observations while undertaking their daily duties. Work place activities are undertaken at the completion of all the theory components of the course, and submitted and graded assessments deem the student competent in the completed units.

Applications & attendance

How to apply

Find out what documents you will need to complete for your application.

How to apply

Please complete the two forms below and submit via an education agent in your country.

Application form SOP

If you need help, contact the International team.

Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.

Intake	Applications	Attendance	Classes	Duration
2026 January Geelong City Campus	Open: 4 Feb 2025 Close: 19 Jan 2026	Class Day	Mon, Tues & Thurs I 9am - 4pm	Full-time: 15 months
2026 January Werribee Princes Campus	Open: 4 Feb 2025 Close: 19 Jan 2026	Class Day	Mon, Tues & Thurs I 9am - 4pm	Full-time: 15 months
2026 July Geelong City Campus	Open: 4 Feb 2025 Close: 1 Jul 2026	Class Day	Mon, Wed & Thurs I 9am - 3.30pm	Full-time: 15 months

Note: Students are required to undertake some self-paced learning and assessment activities outside of class time.

We reserve the right to close course intakes early. Many courses have limited places and high demand. Early applications are recommended. We reserve the right to cancel intakes and courses if there are insufficient student numbers. An application does not guarantee a place in this course.

Entrance requirements

Academic:

Successful completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent – Equivalents can be found on our Entry Requirements page.

English:

IELTS Academic overall score of 6.0 with no band below 5.5 (or equivalent); or completion of Australian Year 12; or a qualification undertaken in Australia at Certificate IV or higher and completed within the past 5 years; or University studies in Australia of at least 2 years duration.

Age/other requirements:

You must be aged 18 years or over at the time of course commencement.

Personal Learning Requirements

There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.

Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.

Units & assessments

Core Units	Code	Hours
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services	CHCDEV005	100
Assess co-existing needs	CHCCCS004	80
Develop and implement service programs	CHCCCS007	100
Facilitate and review case management	CHCCSM017	75
Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes	CHCMGT005	120
Maintain work health and safety	HLTWHS003	40
Manage legal and ethical compliance	CHCLEG003	80
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety	CHCDIV002	25
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence	CHCDFV001	50
Recognise and respond to crisis situations	CHCCCS019	45
Reflect on and improve own professional practice	CHCPRP003	120
Work with diverse people	CHCDIV001	40
Elective Units	Code	Hours
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships	CHCPRP001	80
Develop workplace communication strategies	CHCCOM003	100
Facilitate the interests and rights of clients	CHCADV001	100
Implement community development strategies	CHCCDE027	70
Implement trauma informed care	CHCMHS013	80
Plan and conduct group activities	CHCGRP002	70
Research and apply evidence to practice	CHCPOL003	65
Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness	CHCSOH013	85

Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).Find out more about CT or RPL here.

Assessment is based on:

Questioning
Observations and practical demonstrations
Portfolio (work samples)
Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)
Workplace evidence

Fees

Fees are based on current year and are subject to change for future years. Fees are charged upon course offer and must be paid to obtain the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Contact the international office for detailed information or see fees, payments and refunds. More information.

Total tuition fee:

$13,500

Total approx. non tuition fees:

$1,030

Further study options

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at Deakin University
Bachelor of Marketing (Psychology) at Deakin University
Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Psychology) at Deakin University
Bachelor of Criminology at Deakin University
Bachelor of International Studies at Deakin University
Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University
Bachelor of Nutrition Science at Deakin University

Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact the International Office at international@gordontafe.edu.au or 5225 0920.