Community Services

Make a difference to the lives of others

This qualification focuses on providing assessment and support to clients with alcohol and drug issues. You will learn about interviewing in the initial client assessment, responding to crisis, working with people with mental health concerns, and providing alcohol and other drugs (AOD) interventions.

This skill set is free for everyone

This COVID-19 Direct Care skill set was developed in consultation with WA employers in the aged care and disability services sectors and the Community Services, Health and Education Training Council. It contains three units of competency chosen to get you job ready for entry-level employment.

• HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures 
• HLTWHS005 Conduct manual tasks safely 
• CHCCCS011 Meet personal support needs 

Gain the skills you need to equip you to provide a high level of care in the aged care sector

The Aged Care Standards highlight the importance of providing safe clinical care to residents with a focus on recognising individual client needs and assessing and reporting changes in a resident's condition. This skill set has been established to provide you with additional clinical skills and assessment skills if you are working within the aged care sector.

Residents within the aged care sector have increasingly complex health care needs and higher acuity levels. The skills gained from this skill set will enable you to work with and support the Registered Nurse in the assessment of clients and delivery of clinical care.  The units have a focus on medication and recognising and reporting signs of deterioration in clients.

This skill set is most suited to those working within the aged care sector.

Gain an industry specific qualification which relates to your Community Development job

Community development is all about the growth and empowerment of individuals, groups or communities.

The Diploma of Community Development will give you the skills to develop and deliver programs that build the capacity of communities to influence and guide their own future through public social change processes.

At this level, workers have specialised skills with complexity in the range and choices of actions required and will generally have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. This work may be undertaken across a range of social, environment, health, recreation, arts and culture sectors.

Training can be customised to suit the Local Government sector, and this course is supported by the LGPA Community Development Network.

Become a leader in the community services industry

Learn to coordinate and manage small community service groups or branches/departments of large community organisations.

By completing this course you'll build upon your existing skills and develop your expertise as a senior administrative worker within the community services industry. 

You may also use your existing workplace experience to gain credit for some aspects of this course.

This course is only delivered through an employer-based study mode, participants will need to be employed in a role that includes a moderate level of management in order to complete this qualification.

This qualification is part of the Lower fees, local skills program where you'll pay only half of the standard course fees.

Open the door to a career in community services

This course will introduce you to the community services industry. You'll gain the essential theoretical knowledge and practical skills by completing this qualification.

Start on your path to a career in Community Services, Aged Care, Children's Services or Disability Services.

There is an ongoing skill shortage in Community Services

This entry level course is ideal for support workers, case workers and client contact officers; generally, positions with direct contact with clients, providing  day-to-day support.

All of our 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.

You'll also be mentored by attentive and caring lecturers who have extensive experience in the industry.

Do you want to make a difference for communities?

Be there for people that need it the most. When you complete the Certificate IV in Community Services Work you'll have the skills needed to support all people in the community, as an outreach officer, welfare support worker, or case worker.

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

This qualification is part of the Lower fees, local skills program where you'll pay only half of the standard course fees.

There is an ongoing skill shortage in Community Services

Complete this qualification and you could be working in community services, case management or social housing, involved in the managing, co-ordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities.

You will have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management, providing direct support to individuals or groups. You may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management, program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.

All our 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.

Graduates of our Diploma in Community Services course meet entry requirements for and can even achieve advanced standing in relevant university degrees, see information about Murdoch University in the Further Study section below. As this qualification is one of the Lower fees, local skills half price courses, training at North Metropolitan TAFE will reduce the time and money you spend completing a relevant university degree and you'll be equipped to work in the industry while you study.

Gain the skills and training to respond to the immediate needs of clients in crisis

This skill set will prepare you to respond to crises in any community services setting and is suitable for anyone working in the community through paid employment or volunteering. You will learn in a safe environment through scenario-based simulations that uses actors to replicate critical situations.

Successful completion of this course may open up opportunities to work directly with clients or help with career progression. It will give you two units towards a variety of Community Services qualifications.

Gain a competitive edge to employment in this fast-growing industry

This qualification will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work with clients experiencing complex situations requiring advanced interviewing and communication skills in a community services setting.

During the course you will gain industry experience and grow your expertise. You may find yourself working  in the areas of mental health, drugs and alcohol abuse, family and domestic violence, housing, adolescent development, or parenting and relationships - completing this course will give you a competitive edge to secure employment in this fast-growing industry.

This course may be of particular interest to graduates of Diploma or higher in community services, youth work, mental health, allied field or applicants already working in these industries. 

This skill set is free for everyone

The CHCSS00114 Entry Into Care Roles skill set addresses the skills and knowledge required to provide entry level support and basic client care for a range of roles and purposes within the aged care and disability support sectors.

The skill set is comprised of the following units.

• HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
• CHCCCS015 Provide individualised support
• HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care

These units can then be used as credit towards a number of Certificate III courses and is an ideal starting point for anyone considering gaining a qualification in Aged Care, Home and Community Care, Disability or as a Health Service Assistant.

Protect yourself and others in the community from infectious diseases

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of building the capacity and understanding of the workforce to practice safe infection control procedures. This skill set will provide you with the skills and knowledge to assist in protecting yourself and others in the community from infectious diseases. 

You will understand how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread of infection and how to protect yourself and others from infection.  It is most suited for those that are working in the health care sector, or those that would like to acquire a new skill before returning to employment.

This online course allows you to undertake studies within your own timeframe. You will receive a short induction and ongoing support from your lecturer. Once you have completed the online study component you will be required to book into a four hour practical lab session at our Mount Lawley campus where you will practice skills and undertake a workplace assessment.

Ageing and Disability Job Ready Program

A career in the ageing or disability sector can be very rewarding. You can get started in one of the fastest growing workforces in Western Australia and make a positive difference to the lives of others.

This is an exciting opportunity to start a career that makes a difference and supports a person to reach their goals, engage with the community and meet their support needs.

As part of this course you will attend a work placement with an employer where you will gain real, hands on industry experience and secure a ‘foot in the door’.

By completing the Ageing and Disability Job Ready Program, you may:

• Be offered a job with your work placement employer
• Be offered an aged care or disability work traineeship
• Use your skills to transition into an allied health occupation
• Gain employer references
• Be connected with other employment opportunities within these sectors or
• Complete further studies

For more information visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/pathways or call 08 6551 5049 or email SWAD@dtwd.wa.gov.au

This qualification is part of the Lower fees, local skills program where you'll pay only half of the standard course fees.

Develop skills to work with clients experiencing a mental health illness

This qualification focuses on the support and needs of people experiencing mental health issues. You'll learn about the value and principles of mental health sector and how to apply them in a recovery oriented way.

You will undertake a supervised or simulated work placement* where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.

You could find work in a variety of community contexts such as community based non-government organisations; outreach; centre-based programs; respite care; residential services; rehabilitation programs; clinical settings; or supporting people in employment.

Develop the skills to work with clients experiencing a mental health illness

You will learn about current approaches to mental health that focus on the person not the illness. The Diploma of Mental Health will enable you to undertake community service work that includes mental health.

Working in the community services industry you will provide services to clients in relation to mental health issues that may include case management, referral, advocacy, individual support, and education/health promotion services.

Be better informed about Domestic and Family Violence and help raise awareness of the issues involved

Expand your knowledge and skills and help recognise situations where people are experiencing domestic and family violence, and develop core skills and knowledge in offering support.

If you are working or volunteering in a community service context and wish to learn more about domestic and family violence and how to provide immediate intervention and support this skill set will give you the knowledge you need.

Gain the skills required to protect children and young people engaged in community based activities

If you are in contact with children and young people through work or volunteering in a community based group such as a sporting club, dance or martial arts studio, training organisation, or you are working with vulnerable people this course will teach you compliance with the child safety industry, regulatory and organisational requirements. This includes identifying and controlling three child safety risks over an assessment period of one month in a community or simulated community based setting.

Work from a trauma-informed care perspective

Develop your knowledge and understanding of trauma when working with people living with mental health issues in the community services and health sector.

Whether you are working or volunteering in the community services or mental health sectors, this skill set will help you to work from a trauma-informed care perspective.

Create brighter futures for young people

Complete this qualification and you'll have what it takes to help young people in need. You may find employment in community, government and welfare agencies.

You 'll learn how to create programs designed to address the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs of young people while working to legal and ethical requirements.

During this course you will undertake a supervised or simulated work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.

Make a positive impact in young people's lives

Youth Workers coordinate and manage the development and delivery of services and programs designed to address the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs of young people.

During this course you will learn skills that enable you to respond to young people in crisis and the ability to respond to critical situations as well as the management of finances, work safety and the work environment.

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.