Do you care about community services? Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you want to make a difference?
Our Certificate IV in Community Services is your path to a rewarding and worthwhile career in community services. Your knowledge and skills will equip you to design and deliver person-centred services for individuals and community groups with diverse and complex needs. You will be able to build effective relationships with clients from all backgrounds, and advocate for their interests and rights.
You will learn from experienced practitioners who will support you at every stage of your learning.
You will be able to work at your own pace, in a flexible blended learning environment that allows you to balance your studies with your other commitments.
Our knowledge, experience and reputation will ensure you graduate ready to secure employment in this important field.
This course is delivered via a combination of online and face to face workshops, with study support available in Adelaide, Berri, and Port Augusta.
Learning ModeBlended Learning
LocationSA
Face to face days14
Weekly study hours5-10
Duration12 months
Learning Outcomes
This course will give you the skills and knowledge to work effectively in a wide range of community welfare and support roles. You will be able to:
- build effective relationships with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds
- assess client needs and respond appropriately
- provide person centred services to clients with diverse and complex needs
- refer clients to specialist services and support when needed
- recognise and respond appropriately to crisis situations, and to evidence of family violence, mental health issues and child harm
- advocate for the interests and rights of clients
- develop and maintain effective networks and partnerships
- work within a community development framework
- follow safe work practices
- manage personal stressors in a work environment
- work legally and ethically.
Entry Requirements
All applicants will be assessed for suitability to the qualification. Each applicant is required to undertake an online language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment. The online LLN tool is designed to assess your Language, Literacy (understanding how to use reading, writing, listening and speaking for a purpose and in context) and Numeracy skills.
This short test will give the Institute insight to the right level of study for you. After the test, you will have time to review the results and discuss enrolment with our Enrolments & Training Coordinator.
Employment Opportunities
Over 50 occupations fall under the community work banner including intake, support, case work, crisis intervention, team management and advocacy. Community Services sector roles include:
- Support Worker
- Intake Worker
- Community Worker
- Client Services Officer
The Federal Government estimates that the demand for welfare workers will be very strong over the next 5 years. See joboutlook.gov.au
Units of Study & Units of Competency
Unit of Study 1: The World of Work
Units of Competency
- CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
- HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
- CHCPRT025 Identify and report children and young people at risk
Unit of Study 2: Communication, Diversity and Interacting with Others
Units of Competency
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
- CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships
- CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
- CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
Unit of Study 3: Responding to Issues in Community Work
Units of Competency
- CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis
- CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
- CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
- CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
Unit of Study 4: Frontline Responses
Units of Competency
- BSBINS302 Organise workplace information
- CHCINM002 Meet community information needs
- CHCCOM001 Provide first point of contact
- HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment
Duration and Delivery Mode
12 Months.
Please see 2025 Delivery Schedule for for dates of all Modules
Blended learning: mix of online learning and face-to-face classroom sessions.
Timetable
Location
This course is delivered via a combination of online and face to face workshops, with study support available in Adelaide, Berri, and Port Augusta.
This program has 14 face to face classroom contact days. Students will be required to undertake self-directed online learning outside of classroom delivery.
Work Placement Requirements
No work placement is required for the attainment of the qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL credit may be granted for relevant prior study.
Students seeking recognition for all or part of a qualification must complete the online AISR Recognition Application at least 14 days before the start of the course. See here for more information.
Tuition Fee, Payment Options, Loans
Full fee: $6,000
Gap fee (SA Govt. Subsidy): $1,200. (total gap fee reduces to $1,200, if you are eligible for SA Government subsidy).
Gap fee (Concession): $465 (total gap fee reduces to $465, if you are eligible for SA Government subsidies with valid Health Care, Pensioner or Veteran Affairs concession cards only).
This course is being offered as part of the Fee Free joint initiative of the Australian and South Australian Governments for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Fee Free places close on 25th November 2024.
This course is subsidised through the Australian and South Australian Government. Eligibility and subsidy criteria apply. To check your eligibility visit www.skills.sa.gov.au.
All enquiries regarding tuition fees and payment schedules should be directed to admin@aisr.edu.au.
Qualification Information Brochure
