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Certificate IV in Community Services Work

Top 3 skills you will achieve:

Communicating in a community services context
Engaging in advocacy
Managing cases

Certificate IV in Community Services Work

Build on your existing skills to provide services and interventions to clients in a range of community services organisations such as community based organisations, residential rehabilitation services and outreach services. At this level you may have supervisory responsibilities.

Course Overview
Course Code:	D284 (National ID: CHC40708)
Careers:	Welfare Worker, Counsellor
Duration:	Six months (1 semester) full time. Approximately 24 hours per week.
How:	Full time, Apprenticeship/Traineeship, Work based
Where:	LEEDERVILLE CAMPUS RICHMOND STREET LEEDERVILLE 6007
Intake:	Semester 1, Semester 2
International study available:	Yes
Online study available:	No
Uni pathway available:	Yes

About the course

Ask us a question about this course

This qualification will further your skills in developing services and programs to meet your clients needs. You'll learn about advanced communication, group work, how to design and deliver programs that enhance community participation and the legal and ethical responsibilities and requirements for working in community services.

As part of this qualification you will undertake a supervised work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.

If you enjoy helping people and like working in a team then a career in community services could be for you. All of Central's Community Service qualifications have flexible training delivery modes and the option to study on the job. This means you get the most relevant skills and the opportunity to form industry contacts. There is also currently a skill shortage in this industry so employment prospects are high.

View our brochure to see the career pathways for our community services courses.

Where this course can lead you

With one or more of the Community Services qualifications from Central Institute of Technology, your opportunities are endless. You could find yourself working in community services, youth work, aged care, disability, children's services and/or juvenile justice. This industry is currently experiencing a skill shortage so employment prospects after you leave Central are positive.

Your Certificate IV in Community Services Work prepares you for roles such as:

Youth Worker
Community Worker
Aged Care Worker

Your Certificate IV in Community Services Work opens the door for further qualifications at Central such as the Diploma of Community Services Work. With this qualification you'll be able to take on specialised and managerial roles.

Skills you will gain from this course

Central's community services qualifications provide you with skills that are relevant to current industry trends and practices.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Engage in advanced communication in a community services context
Engage in group work
Train others
Provide community information to others
Develop programs
Design and deliver programs that are accessible and enhance community participation
Understand and adhere to legal and ethical requirements

Your Certificate IV in Community Services Work gives you the skills to begin an exciting career in community services or for further study at Central. The Diploma of Community Services Work will increase your skills in management and the service delivery of community services organisations.

Connected with industry

We ensure our industry partners are involved in the development of our courses and curriculum, so the skills you obtain are relevant in the workforce. We work with over 100 community services agencies throughout the metropolitan area. They include youth support centres, women’s refuges, drug and alcohol support services, mental health support agencies, aged care and disability agencies, family support services, migrant support services, prison and outcare services and support groups.

Central's focus on industry relevancy means practical course content geared towards getting you a career. It also means you have an opportunity to network with real professionals who could increase your chances of employment during or after study.

At Central, experienced community services workers are our lecturers. So you’ll be gaining the best experience possible from the people who have done exactly what you want to do. We have also assessed the practices this industry uses and replicated it within Central so when you graduate, you'll be working in a familiar environment.

Our Community Services
Industry Partners
WAM

Aged and Community Services WA
have a memorandum of understanding with Central as their preferred training provider.

Students have found work at Nulsen both during and post-study.

University Pathways

Your Certificate IV may be able to get you into one of WA’s universities. How? If you build on your Certificate IV with a Diploma or Advanced Diploma you may be eligible for guaranteed or TISC entry plus credit transfers for the units you've already studied.

You may also apply for recognition of prior learning at the university of your choice where you may meet the basic entry requirements of the course of your interest (enquire at the university for information on RPL).

Fee information

Domestic students:
The costs for this course for a semester are: $626 or $313 (concession). On top of this there is also a resource cost of $422. The resource fee is an estimate because the amount depends on which units you choose. You will be given the exact amount at enrolment. Find out more about how the costs are determined.

An estimate of the total cost of the course is $1048 (non conc) over the six months the course takes to complete.

Paying your fees

You will be expected to pay your course fees in full at the time of enrolment.

Fees can be paid at our student services offices at any of Central’s campuses. You can also pay by credit card over the phone, however, if you wish to pay by instalments, you will need to make your first payment in person and sign the payment plan terms and conditions.

Assistance may be available for those students experiencing financial hardship.

Find out more details about payment options

International students:
The cost for international students is 5500, duration 6 months. You will need to pay for your course fees when you accept your offer and meet all the conditions.

Course Structure

Plan:	D284 - CU1110 - PSC
Description:	Complete 14 units: 9 core and 5 elective units

Available Groups

Title: GROUP 01 - CORE UNITS

Description: Central Institute of Technology offer the units listed below. Please note: previously completed units may count towards this qualification. Please discuss with the teaching area to determine eligibility.

Number	National ID	Title
D2288	CHCCHILD401A	Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
D2313	CHCCOM403A	Use targeted communication skills to build relationships
D2336	CHCCS412D	Deliver and develop client services
D2343	CHCCS422A	Respond holistically to client issues and refer appropriately
D8281	HLTHIR403C	Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
D8547	CHCCD412B	Work within a community development framework
D8556	CHCCS400B	Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework
D8557	CHCCS411B	Work effectively in the community sector
D8590	CHCORG405D	Maintain an effective work environment

Title: GROUP 02 - ELECTIVE UNITS

Description: Complete five (5) elective units. For Traineeships - Elective units are to be negotiated between Central Institute of Technology, employer and employee.

Number	National ID	Title
D2236	CHCCD401D	Support community participation
D2543	CHCGROUP403D	Plan and conduct group activities
D2661	CHCPOL402B	Contribute to policy development
D8283	HLTHIR404D	Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
D8381	HLTOHS300B	Contribute to OHS processes
D8382	HLTOHS401A	Maintain workplace OHS processes

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

An apprenticeship or traineeship is a structured employment based training program that allows you to have a job and be paid while you learn. In most instances practical experience at work is combined with complementary off-the-job training provided by Central Institute of Technology.

Apprenticeships lead to trade certification and nationally recognised qualifications.

Traineeships focus on entry level training in non-trade areas and lead to nationally-recognised qualifications. Some school based traineeships are available to year 11 and 12 students who combine part time work with secondary studies via an approved training schedule. Apprenticeships and Traineeships are not available as an option for International students.

Please Note: The process for actually getting into an apprenticeship/traineeship (which involves finding an employer) is very different to the application process for normal study.

For more information about apprenticeships or traineeships please contact Central Institute of Technology'sTraineeship, Apprenticeship and Workplace Training (TAWT) on 6211 2111, visit the Apprenticeships & Traineeships section of the Training WA site or http://www.trainingwa.wa.gov.au/apprenticentre/detcms/portal/

Information for international students

Central is one of Australia's largest VET colleges, and trains around 1700 students from more than 85 countries each year. In 2010, we were the inaugural winner of Western Australia's International Training Provider of the Year award and were again given this award in 2011.

Our campuses are conveniently located near the centre of Perth's CBD, making them easy to access via public transport. Central boasts excellent, state of the art facilities and resources and a friendly, safe and secure learning environment.

As a graduate, you are ensured direct pathways to further qualifications at Western Australian universities, or alternatively, the job ready skills you need to succeed in your career straight away.

We offer a dedicated International Centre which is focused on servicing International students, helping you with your personal and academic needs. Staff offer friendly, specialised support and guidance from your initial contact through to your graduation, to ensure that your experience at Central is enjoyable and rewarding.

Visit our international pages to find out more about studying at Central and life in Perth.

Find out from international students about their experiences studying at Central.

Find out about applying to study at Central as an International student.

Courses available to international students at Central are delivered in partnership with Education and Training International RTO Provider No: 52395 CRICOS Provider Code: 00020G

Getting into this course

Entrance Requirements

In order to gain entry into this course you must demonstrate developed communication skills.

This conversion table explains the grades you need to have obtained at a high school level to meet this entry level requirement.

The Application Process

The process for applying for a course at Central depends on whether you are a local or international student and the way that you will be studying: full time, part time, as an apprentice or trainee.

Our future students area of the website includes a handy guide to help you through the process depending on what type of student you are, and how you are planning on studying.

Visit our apply, enrol and pay guide

Recognition of Prior Learning

Do you have existing skills? Whether obtained through paid or voluntary work, training or other experiences, you may be able to fast track your study by applying for recognition of prior learning, often referred to as RPL.

Find out more here