Certificate III in Community Services

CHC32015

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

Train for a role in community support. Learn to help people through outreach, advocacy and teamwork.

This qualification reflects the role of entry level community services workers who support individuals through the provision of person-centred services. Work may include day-to-day support of individuals in community settings or support the implementation of specific community-based programs.

At this level, work takes place under the direction of others and supervision may be direct or indirect. Work may take place in a range of community services organisations.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

  • Financial help

    • Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:

      • Career Start (general)
      • Career Start (traineeship)

      *To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.

      Check your eligibility

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    • VET Student Loans are not available
    • You may need to pay for equipment or materials.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    • Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This traineeship is available:

    • Community Service Worker

  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

    • Through traineeship:
      18 months
    • Qualification only:
      1–2 years

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Communicate and work in health or community services Core
Follow safe work practices for direct client care Core
Manage personal stressors in the work environment Core
Respond to client needs Core
Work with diverse people Core
Be an effective volunteer Elective
Conduct individual assessments Elective
Contribute to the review and development of policies Elective
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships Elective
Engage respectfully with young people Elective
Facilitate responsible behaviour Elective
Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support Elective
Facilitate the interests and rights of clients Elective
Identify and report children and young people at risk Elective
Implement participation and engagement strategies Elective
Manage own work and learning Elective
Organise personal work priorities Elective
Organise workplace information Elective
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety Elective
Provide client-centred support to people in crisis Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site Elective
Provide first point of contact Elective
Provide individualised support Elective
Provide loss and grief support Elective
Provide needle and syringe services Elective
Provide parenting, health and well-being education Elective
Provide sexual and reproductive health information to clients Elective
Provide work skill instruction Elective
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence Elective
Recognise and respond to crisis situations Elective
Support collaborative planning processes Elective
Support group activities Elective
Support independence and wellbeing Elective
Support young people to create opportunities in their lives Elective
Undertake bicultural work with forced migrants in Australia Elective
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context Elective
Work with clients to identify financial literacy education needs Elective
Work with clients who are intoxicated Elective
Work with forced migrants Elective
Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness Elective
Work with people with mental health issues Elective
Work within a community development framework Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate III in Community Services sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Welfare Worker

    ANZSCO 272613

    Welfare Workers assist individuals, families and groups with social, emotional or financial difficulties to improve quality of life, by educating and supporting them and working towards change in their social environment.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Community Worker

    ANZSCO 411711

    Develop and implement plans to improve life in the local community.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Disabilities Services Officer

    ANZSCO 411712

    Disabilities Services Officers work in a range of service units which provide education and community access to people with intellectual, physical, social and emotional disabilities.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Family Support Worker

    ANZSCO 411713

    Family Support Workers assist the work of Social Workers and Welfare Workers by providing services and support to families.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Parole and Probation Officer

    ANZSCO 411714

    Parole or Probation Officers supervise offenders who have been placed on probation by court order or released conditionally from corrective service institutions.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Residential Care Officer

    ANZSCO 411715

    Residential Care Officers provide care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Youth Worker

    ANZSCO 411716

    Support young people in the social, emotional, financial, study and employment aspects of their lives.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Child and Youth Residential Care Assistant

    ANZSCO 423411

    Child or Youth Residential Care Assistants provide care and supervision for children and young people living in residential or institutional facilities such as group homes and correctional institutions.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Refuge Worker

    ANZSCO 423413

    Refuge Workers provide services and support to people seeking assistance in a refuge.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

Training providers delivering Certificate III in Community Services

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 118 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.
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