Diploma of Community Services (International)

National code: CHC52015

CRICOS code: 107957B

Units: 8 core + 8 elective

Location: Levels 8 & 9, 250 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000

Program delivery: Blended training (in-person and online)

Work placement: 400 hours

Total duration: 104 weeks

Delivery weeks: 80 weeks

Holiday weeks: 24 weeks

The Diploma of Community Services is a broad qualification which can lead to a wide variety of job outcomes.

Here are just some of the roles graduates of this program may find work in:

• Community Care Manager

• Family Services Coordinator

• Community Housing Worker

• Community Development Worker

• Housing Manager

• Youth Housing Support Manager

• Welfare Support Manager

• Early Intervention Worker

• Pastoral Care Worker

• Community Program Coordinator

• Disability Support Worker

• Ageing Support Worker

• Case Manager

According to the Australian Government’s National Skills Commission:

• There are currently 82,900 Welfare Support Workers currently employed in Australia

• This occupation has a high forecasted growth rate of over 25%

• On average, Welfare Support Workers earn around $1,492 a week

• 63% of people in this role work full-time

• 74% of Welfare Support Workers are women, with an average age of 43.

English language proficiency

Candidates must meet one of the following English Language proficiency requirements:

• IELTS band score of 5.5, or an equivalent internationally recognised exam result in line with Department of Home Affairs (DHA) regulations

• Satisfactory completion of an ELICOS program at Upper-intermediate level from Explore English, or other NEAS endorsed English language centre

• Certificate of completion equivalent to, or higher than, an Australian Year 12 qualification from an English-speaking country

• Completion of MCIE’s English Placement Test with an overall score equivalent to IELTS 5.5, or above

• Other English language proficiency tests, such as TOEFL and OET, will also be considered.

Candidates who have completed 1 year of study in Australia in English within the past 2 years at Certificate IV or AQF level 4 and above are exempt from submitting Australian Year 12 completion certificate or equivalent and Evidence of English Proficiency.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisite qualifications required to enter this qualification.

International candidates may also be interested in Certificate IV in Ageing Support.

Education and skills

Students must complete a Pre-Training Review, meet the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skill standards for this program level, and demonstrate they are a suitable candidate for this program.

Regulatory

MCIE does not accept overseas students under 18 years of age at the time of proposed commencement.

To begin your training at MCIE, you will need a Unique Student Identifier (USI). The USI is a personal reference that creates a secure online record of your VET training. It is managed by the Australian Government and is kept for up to 30 years.

It can be accessed anywhere, anytime. When you arrive in Australia, your visa will be activated and you can then apply for a USI. It is free to create a USI. You need a USI to receive your qualification, or statement of attainment. For further information visit www.usi.gov.au/about.

Students with disabilities

MCIE welcomes all people with disabilities, learning differences and medical conditions. Acceptance in this program is subject to candidates’ ability to undertake all program requirements as discussed in the Pre-Training Review, with reasonable adjustments where applicable.

Digital technology

Students must have sufficient digital literacy skills to access online content, enter answers to written questions and communicate with trainers via email, the student portal and the learning management system.

Industry requirements

Candidates may be asked to provide evidence of the following for work placement (requirements vary according to host employer policies):

• National Police Check

• Working with Children Check

• NDIS Worker Screening Check

• Flu vaccination and COVID-19 vaccinations

Prior experience

Credit Transfer (CT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are available. Credit Transfer is free of charge. RPL application fees are $145 per hour. Please click here for more information on RPL fees, terms and conditions.

Blended training

This program is delivered as blended training, both in-person on campus and remotely in real-time via Microsoft Teams.

Assessment

Assessment tasks and strategies cover a wide range of methods and may include writing tasks, questions, projects or reports, practical demonstrations, group tasks, oral presentations, problem-solving tasks, work placement tasks, case studies and discussions.

Work-placement

This program is designed with 400 hours of work placement, to be completed in a community services workplace. MCIE will organise your work-placement with one of our host employers.