This CHC52021 – Diploma of Community Services qualification reflects the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities.

At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management.

Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 200 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.

The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

The latest release of the qualification and packaging rules can be found at the following link: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/CHC52021

Licensing/Regulatory Information

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

Sydney City College of Management (SCCM) has the following entry requirements:

International students must:

• be at least 18 years of age and have completed Year 12 or equivalent
• participate in a course entry interview to determine suitability for the course and student needs
• have an IELTS* score of 6.0 (test results must be no more than 2 years old). English language competence can also be demonstrated through documented evidence of any of the following:

• • Educated for 5 years in an English-speaking country;
  • or completed at least 6 months of a Certificate IV level course in an Australian RTO;
  • or successful completion of an English Placement Test

*Note that other English language tests such as PTE and TOEFL can be accepted. Students are required to provide their results so that it can be confirmed they are equivalent to IELTS 6.0.

To support your studies and complete course requirements effectively, you will need access to a personal computer that meets the following minimum specifications:

Recommended Computer Specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 (10th generation or newer) or AMD Ryzen 5

• Memory (RAM): 8 GB or more

• Storage: 256 GB SSD or larger

• Operating System: Windows 10/11 or macOS 12 or newer

• Screen Size: At least 13 inches with Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and at least one USB port

• Webcam and Microphone: Built-in or external for online classes and assessments

• Battery Life: Minimum of 6 hours for laptops

Hardware/ Software Requirements

SCCM provides students Office 365 account (free of charge) with access to online Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneDrive etc to facilitate the training and communication. SCCM will provide access to computers/laptops on campus. However, all students are expected to have access to a laptop or computer with Windows/macOS operating system at their own cost to work on assessments, tasks and self-study etc.
Note: It is essential for the student to possess basic computer skills.

Students are provided with assessment resources at the commencement of each unit of competency, along with learning resources.

The assessment resources set out the range and types of assessment tasks that will be used for the unit.

Each unit will comprise of number of assessment tasks which may include short written knowledge tests; discussions; compiling portfolio of evidence; projects; case studies; research; written reports; participating in practical activities such as demonstrations, roleplays and presentations.

To perform at your best, you will probably need to work on the assessments outside of class time.

Students who have completed relevant studies or have some of the competencies in the course may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Application for RPL can be made with the initial application or can be made within two weeks of the course commencement using the RPL Application Form and by providing supporting documents. Qualified trainers/assessors will manage the RPL process.

Please note that RPL cannot result in an international student having less than a full-time load of study (20 hours per week) but can reduce the overall duration of the course and fees. See our Student Handbook and the Student Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning policy and procedure, for more information.

If a Student has an Australian VET qualification and the units are equivalent to the units delivered, the Student will be granted a Direct Credit Transfer.

Qualified trainers/assessors will manage this process following our Student Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning policy and procedure. This sets out how the process is administered and the adjustment to course duration and course fees.

Education Pathway:

Students who complete this course may wish to further their study into the Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management or Bachelors in relevant field

Career Pathway:

Possible job roles relevant to this qualification may include:

• Community services worker
• Case manager
• Family support worker
• Client services manager
• Community development officer
• Service manager and/or program coordinator

After completion of this course and all assessments, you will be issued with the Nationally Recognised Qualification CHC52021 – Diploma of Community Services.

A Statement of Attainment will be issued to students who partially complete this course.

All students enrolled in this course must undertake 200 hours of work placement at an approved venue. Work placement must be completed successfully in order to gain this qualification.

To be awarded this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in 20 units of competency, consisting of 12 core units and 8 elective units.

All students will be provided with a range of learning support options and resources to help them achieve competency. This includes:

• Academic and personal support.
• Referral to external support services.