Purpose of Qualification
This qualification reflects the role of community services workers who work in contexts such as family violence, housing, mental health, child protection, and disability support. Workers operate under broad guidance and may line manage other workers. They may also have responsibility for the delivery of programs and services.
This qualification provides a pathway to work in a range of community services organisations including government agencies, NGOs, and not-for-profit organisations. The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards, and industry codes of practice.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 200 hours of work placement as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency.
Note: CHC52025 is the updated version of CHC52025. Please confirm with Clinton Institute which version is currently being enrolled.
Learner Characteristic / Client Cohort
Target groups for CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services are international students who are:
- Seeking a career in community services, social welfare, case management, or community development in Australia or internationally
- Seeking to enter a profession with strong employment growth and meaningful social impact on vulnerable individuals and communities
- Seeking a pathway to the Advanced CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services, Bachelor of Social Work, or related undergraduate degrees at university
- Seeking to build specialist skills in areas such as family violence response, housing support, mental health first aid, or disability advocacy
- Working in related roles and wanting formal qualifications to advance into senior case worker or program coordination positions
Clinton Institute's community services students benefit from trainers with extensive frontline and management experience across government and NGO settings. The course is designed around real-world practice — students develop case management skills, create individual support plans, work with diverse communities, and learn to navigate the Australian social services system. With 200 hours of supervised practical placement built into the qualification, graduates are workplace-ready and confident in applying their skills from day one.
RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is available to ensure that those with existing skills and knowledge are recognised and the amount of training is adjusted accordingly.
Pathways
This qualification provides a pathway to work in community services in roles such as:
- Community services worker
- Case worker
- Family support worker
- Mental health support worker
- Housing officer
- Disability services coordinator
Students who complete this course may also wish to continue their vocational studies by undertaking CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Services, or undergraduate studies in Social Work, Community Welfare, or related fields.
Qualification Entry Requirements
There are no certified qualification requirements for this qualification. To enrol in this course, students must provide evidence that they:
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Have successfully completed Year 11 in Australia, or an equivalent overseas
- Meet one of the following English proficiency requirements:
- Evidence of a valid IELTS score of 6.0 or other equivalents in English Language tests including TOEFL iBT, Pearson Test of English (PTE), Duolingo English Test, and Cambridge English (CAE)
- Successfully complete the pathway with recognised ELICOS providers, as determined by Clinton Institute via exit score of IELTS 6.0 equivalents
- Students who have successfully completed their Year 12 or equivalent in English Language
- Have appropriate Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) levels, as determined by Clinton Institute via the LLN test administered prior to enrolment. The LLN test will be conducted by a suitable Trainer and Assessor or the Director of Studies
For international students, it is a condition of entry that upon acceptance, students provide evidence of having an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500).
Please refer to the government website for information about applying: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Training Modes
Clinton Institute offers flexible delivery options to suit different learner needs:
- Classroom-based delivery — face-to-face training at our Melbourne campus
- Simulated practical training — real-world scenarios in a supported learning environment
- Workplace training — practical experience in community services settings
Assessment Modes
Clinton Institute uses a range of assessment methods to accommodate different learning styles and ensure comprehensive competency achievement. These may include:
- Written assignments and reports
- Case study analysis
- Role plays and simulations
- Practical demonstrations
- Portfolios and projects
- Workplace observation and logbook
Compulsory Work Placement Arrangements
Each student will be required to complete a minimum of 200 hours of work placement in community services, disability support, or related care settings. This gives students real-world experience and is a mandatory component of the qualification.
Clinton Institute has established relationships with a range of community services organisations in Melbourne to facilitate student placements.
Campuses
Melbourne Campus: Level 9, 313 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Next Steps
To apply for this course, please visit our Apply page or contact our admissions team:
- Email: admission@clinton.edu.au
- Phone (Melbourne): (03) 8394 2064