Community Services Courses in Australia

Community services encompass a wide range of roles focused on supporting individuals and communities through social work, case management, and welfare programs. Qualifications in this field prepare you for careers in government agencies, non-profits, and community organisations working to improve people's lives.

Avg. $62k/yr($50k — $80k)

Career Pathway

Certificate III

Community Worker

Certificate IV

Case Worker

Diploma

Program Manager

Bachelor

Social Worker

Browse by State

NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT

28 Community Services Courses

Certificate III in Community Services | SA & WA campus-based learning
Open Colleges
Online
Our nationally recognised CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services is the ideal starting point for anyone wanting to build a meaningful career supporting individuals and strengthening communities. Delivered through a flexible blend of on-campus and self-paced online learning, this course equips you with the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience to make a genuine difference in people’s lives. With support from our experienced and passionate educators, you’ll explore topics such as client support, community engagement, and working with diverse people. You'll also gain hands-on experience in a vocational placement setting, helping to build your confidence and competence in the field. This course includes 80 hours of supported vocational placement, where you’ll apply your training in real-life scenarios and develop essential communication, advocacy, and support skills.
Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
Open Colleges
Online
Get started in a career in the aged care, health, and community services sectors with the CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health. Learn how to design and deliver health and leisure programs for individuals and groups. Begin a meaningful career and care for others in need today. Yes, they are! Open Colleges offers nationally recognised Certificates and Diplomas under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This means that our Certificates and Diplomas meet specific national standards and have been developed in consultation with industry experts to provide the most workplace relevant training. Qualifications from Open Colleges also carry the same level of recognition as courses delivered on-campus in a classroom setting. So, when you study with OC, you can rest assured that you are receiving quality education. Anytime you like! The majority of our courses are ready for enrolment right now. There's no need to wait for a specific date or a new semester to start – just enrol, login, and start learning. If you enrol online today and complete your application, you can start studying the course today!
Certificate III in Community Services
Open Colleges
Online
Get qualified with our nationally recognised CHC30215 Certificate III Community Services. This hands-on career is experiencing huge demand for workers, so you will graduate with many job opportunities. You will learn to support vulnerable and at-risk individuals and groups within the community and join a rewarding field in need of workers like you. This course contains a minimum of 160 hours of work placement. Work placement hours can be done part-time or as a block, depending on the host organisation's requirements and availability. You will not achieve any units of competency unless you have completed your work placement hours. To find out what the suitable workplaces are for this course, download the course guide. Unlike a TAFE, which is government owned, Open Colleges is a privately owned RTO (Registered Training Organisation.) This means that we are an independent entity, and we don’t receive any government funding. For this reason, our courses are not free. If you have any questions about our pricing, please feel free to contact our friendly Enrolment Consultants.
Certificate IV in Ageing Support
Open Colleges
Online
Our nationally recognised CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support is an ideal qualification if you're looking for entry work in the booming aged care sector. You will unlock a variety of entry-level work situations in the community services industry, and gain the practical skills to carry out your role as a Care Worker with confidence. The course contains a minimum of 120 hours of work placement. Download the course guide to find out what the suitable workplaces are for this course. As long as there are mandatory qualifications required to complete this course and you meet the minimum language, literacy, and numeracy requirements, you can enrol in this course.
Certificate IV in Youth Work
Open Colleges
Online
Our nationally recognised CHC40421 Certificate IV in Youth Work is designed to kick start your career in community services. Become a highly valued employee and learn the skills and knowledge you need to support and empower young people at risk. Unlock many job opportunities in this extremely rewarding industry. Yes, they are! Open Colleges offers nationally recognised Certificates and Diplomas under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This means that our Certificates and Diplomas meet specific national standards and have been developed in consultation with industry experts to provide the most workplace relevant training. Qualifications from Open Colleges also carry the same level of recognition as courses delivered on-campus in a classroom setting. So, when you study with OC, you can rest assured that you are receiving quality education. Anytime you like! The majority of our courses are ready for enrolment right now. There's no need to wait for a specific date or a new semester to start – just enrol, login, and start learning. If you enrol online today and complete your application, you can start studying the course today!
Diploma of Community Services
Open Colleges
Online
Our nationally accredited CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services is perfect for those who enjoy helping people and would like to take the next step in their career by pursuing an exciting leadership role. The booming community services industry needs more workers, so get ready to enter a highly rewarding sector with the ability to specialise in a variety of directions today. The course contains a minimum of 240 hours of work placement. Download the course guide to find out what the suitable workplaces are for this course. Generally, you need to work as a Case Worker to gain the experience prior to being employed as a Case Manager – however, it is not a requirement.
Certificate IV in Youth Work
TAFE SA
In-PersonSACommunity Services
This course reflects the role of workers who develop and facilitate programs for young people through a range of community-based programs designed to address the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs of young people. Entry Recommendations We recommend that applicants with no or limited knowledge or skills in community services study a Certificate III in Community Services before this course. Attendance Requirements (subject to change) This course is delivered through a blend of two compulsory on-campus workshops a week, and online study.Workshops are usually from 9.30 to 4.00pm, and occasionally from 9.00 to 5.00pm. Start dates and workshop days differ between campuses:
Certificate IV in Mental Health
TAFE SA
In-PersonSACommunity Services
This course equips graduates to provide a range of community services promoting mental health wellness and recovery, focusing on rehabilitation and support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability. Entry Recommendations We recommend that applicants with no or limited knowledge or skills in community services study a Certificate III in Community Services before this course. Attendance Requirements (subject to change) This course is delivered through a blend of two compulsory on-campus workshops a week, and online study.Workshops are usually from 9.30 to 4.00pm, and occasionally from 9.00 to 5.00pm. Start dates and workshop days:
Diploma of Financial Counselling
TAFE SA
In-PersonSACommunity Services
Financial counsellors are experts in financial difficulty and provide advice and support to help clients get back on top of their financial issues. They work from a model of social justice and client empowerment. Working in community organisations, their services are free, independent, and confidential. Financial counsellors have an extensive knowledge of a range of areas of law and policy, including consumer credit law, debt enforcement practices, the bankruptcy regime, industry hardship policies and government concession frameworks. Note that this qualification is NOT related to the work performed by financial planners or financial advisers whose role is to provide clients with strategies to address their investment options and requires a financial services licence. This qualification is also not appropriate for financial capability workers. This qualification does NOT refer to therapeutic counselling, however, a recognition of, and an ability to work within, a counselling framework and the way in which other issues may interact with financial issues is highly relevant to financial counselling practice. Attendance Requirements (subject to change) Attendance Requirements (subject to change): The course is delivered through on-line interactive workshops (70%) and face to face workshops (30%). Attendance (on-line or in person) is 1 day per week over 18 months. Industry Conditions and Skills You are encouraged to consider your personal wellness and capacity to interact with and be assessed on traumatic course content. You will need sound computer skills and ability to navigate online systems.
Diploma of Counselling
TAFE SA
In-PersonSACommunity Services
This qualification reflects the role of counsellors, who work with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling modalities. They use communication, micro-counselling and interviewing skills and draw on varied counselling therapies to assist clients. At this level, the counsellor will be working in defined and supported counselling roles in established agencies rather than in independent practice. This qualification includes the direct opportunity to participate in supervised counselling and crisis support work experience with Uniting Communities (UC) an organisation creating positive change for South Australian communities for over 120 years. UC will provide on the job training, support and supervision in a placement with a well-known crisis support service. For more information https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChy493OJ8o8LXBShXP3Hy8Q Attendance Requirements (subject to change) Industry Conditions and Skills You are encouraged to consider your personal wellness and your capacity to interact with and be assessed on traumatic course content. You will need to have some research and computer skills.

Certificate III in Community Services | SA & WA campus-based learning

Open Colleges

Online

View Full Details Provider Site

About this course

Our nationally recognised CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services is the ideal starting point for anyone wanting to build a meaningful career supporting individuals and strengthening communities. Delivered through a flexible blend of on-campus and self-paced online learning, this course equips you with the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience to make a genuine difference in people’s lives. With support from our experienced and passionate educators, you’ll explore topics such as client support, community engagement, and working with diverse people. You'll also gain hands-on experience in a vocational placement setting, helping to build your confidence and competence in the field. This course includes 80 hours of supported vocational placement, where you’ll apply your training in real-life scenarios and develop essential communication, advocacy, and support skills.

Career Outcomes

Career paths: Community Services Worker, Support Worker (Community or Residential), Youth Support Worker

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Frequently Asked Questions — Community Services

What jobs can I get with a community services qualification?

Graduates can work as community workers, case managers, youth workers, family support workers, and welfare officers. Higher qualifications lead to roles in program management and social policy.

What is the difference between Certificate IV and Diploma?

Certificate IV provides foundational skills for direct client work. The Diploma covers advanced case management, program development, and supervision — preparing you for senior roles.

How much do community services workers earn?

Starting salaries are around $50,000-$55,000. Experienced case workers and program managers earn $70,000-$85,000+.

Community Services Courses in Australia

Career Pathway

Browse by State

28 Community Services Courses

Certificate III in Community Services | SA & WA campus-based learning

Certificate IV in Leisure and Health

Certificate III in Community Services

Certificate IV in Ageing Support

Certificate IV in Youth Work

Diploma of Community Services

Certificate IV in Youth Work

Certificate IV in Mental Health

Diploma of Financial Counselling

Diploma of Counselling

Certificate III in Community Services | SA & WA campus-based learning

About this course

Career Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions — Community Services

28 Community Services Courses

Certificate III in Community Services | SA & WA campus-based learning

Certificate IV in Leisure and Health

Certificate III in Community Services

Certificate IV in Ageing Support

Certificate IV in Youth Work

Diploma of Community Services

Certificate IV in Youth Work

Certificate IV in Mental Health

Diploma of Financial Counselling

Diploma of Counselling

Certificate III in Community Services | SA & WA campus-based learning

About this course

Career Outcomes