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
This qualification reflects the role of community services workers who assist in the delivery of programs that contribute to the development of community capacity through public social change processes.
At this level, work takes place within a professional team under the guidance of others, to support development within the community. Work may be undertaken in organisations working across a range of social, health, environment, economic, arts and culture and recreation sectors.
The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
6 months – 2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
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 |
|---|---|
| Develop and support community resources | Core |
| Implement participation and engagement strategies | Core |
| Participate in workplace health and safety | Core |
| Support collaborative planning processes | Core |
| Use communication to build relationships | Core |
| Work legally and ethically | Core |
| Work with diverse people | Core |
| Work within a community development framework | Core |
| Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services | Elective |
| Deliver emergency relief services | Elective |
| Develop and deliver community projects | Elective |
| Develop and lead community engagement strategies to enhance participation | Elective |
| Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships | Elective |
| Facilitate and advocate for the rights and needs of clients and community members | Elective |
| Facilitate goal directed planning | Elective |
| Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support | Elective |
| Facilitate the interests and rights of clients | Elective |
| Implement case management practice | Elective |
| Improve clients' fundamental financial literacy skills | Elective |
| Plan and conduct group activities | Elective |
| Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | Elective |
| Provide advocacy and representation services | Elective |
| Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies | Elective |
| Provide parenting, health and well-being education | Elective |
| Provide sexual and reproductive health information to clients | Elective |
| Provide support to children affected by domestic and family violence | Elective |
| Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence | Elective |
| Support community action | Elective |
| Support the rights and safety of children and young people | Elective |
| Work effectively with young people and their nominated carer or families | Elective |
| Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities | Elective |
| Work with clients to identify financial literacy education needs | Elective |
| Work with forced migrants | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Community Development sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Recruitment Consultant
ANZSCO 223112
Match people looking for work with employers looking for staff.
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 -
Aged and Disabled Carer
ANZSCO 423111
Provide companionship and practical support to aged and disabled persons in their own homes
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Personal Care Assistant
ANZSCO 423313
Personal Care Assistants provide routine personal care services to people in a range of health care facilities or in a person's home.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Community Development
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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Tranby National Indigenous Adult Education and Training (RTO code 90492)
Contact this provider
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Worklinks QLD Ltd (RTO code 30622)
Contact this provider
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.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.