This qualification can lead to work in many areas within community services covering a range of person-centred services to individuals and/or groups. Embrace a rewarding career in community services and help people in the community regain more control over their lives and future.

Undertaking formal studies to become a qualified community service worker will present a range of entry point employment opportunities in many community services fields including residential services, recreation programs, educational support services, advocacy, employment support services, respite services and community or neighbourhood houses.

Learn new skills including

• How to facilitate the interests and rights of clients
• Work with a range of diverse clients
• Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
• Use communication to build relationships

Employment opportunities with this qualification include:

• Community Support Worker
• Health Education Officer
• Domestic Violence Officer
• Family Support Worker
• Youth Support Worker
• Community Development Officer
• Client Service Officer
• Support Worker

Course outcomes include

• Completion of a nationally recognised industry qualification
• A First Aid Certificate (if chosen as an elective)
• Work experience at a relevant organisation

Available as a Traineeship

This qualification can be completed through a traineeship pathway. Please contact Nadia Louw at nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au or call 9970 1008 for further information. New entrant traineeship: $0.

Course entry requirements

• Telephone or personal meeting with our Training Coordinator who will provide course information and answer your questions to ensure this is the right course for you before you enrol.
• Current National Police Check (less than 1 year old)
• Working with Children Check – free volunteer check available here.
• NDIS Worker Check – free volunteer check available here.

           NSW Police Check
           Working with Children Check

• Unique Student Identifer (see information below).
• Successful completion of an NBMC English language, literacy and numeracy quiz to determine that you have appropriate skills to successfully complete the course.
• If First Aid is chosen as an elective, ability to perform CPR while kneeling on the floor.
• Basic computer skills. If you require basic computer training, please ask us about our Essential Computer Skills course.

PLEASE NOTE: Work placement requirements may require the COVID-19 vaccination.

What you need to know about this course

• The College offers part time day or evening courses. See below for class options.
• Attendance can be in person at a College Campus or online by Virtual Classroom using Zoom. Classes listed with a campus location are face to face and campus attendance is required for the duration of the course. See below for learning requirements for those delivered via Zoom (some face to face campus training may be required, please check with the Coordinator when applying). See below for class options.
• The course is delivered using a blended learning model which includes timetabled classroom attendance, weekly flexible directed self study hours and a minimum of 40 unpaid work placement hours.
• Students will need to allow regular weekly hours (approx 10-12) throughout the course for directed self study for the completion of learning and assessment tasks.
• There are no classes during school holidays.
• The course is delivered in the College’s fully equipped training room by our qualified and industry experienced trainer/assessor.
• Work placement hours will differ to normal class hours.
• 15 units of competency must be successfully completed to achieve this qualification. These are listed in the pop up list located above the class options below. (Note: the list below also includes elective options currently offered by the College).
• A timetable will be provided on course commencement detailing training sessions.
• Please note: Reliable internet and a computer is essential to access course resources and completion of assessment work.

About work placement

• A minimum of 40 hours of unpaid work placement is required (arranged by the student with assistance from NBMC). The days and hours of placement will need to be negotiated between the student and host organisation. Work placement provides you with the opportunity to respond to situations and circumstances that cannot be replicated in a simulated environment.

Please note: If you do select the elective CHCCSM013 Facilitate and review case management there is 100 hrs of work placement required (for existing workers and employer approved) – your paid workplace hours may contribute to this requirement.

Are there Assessments?

• Competency based assessment of each unit of competency in the course will be conducted through a mix of assessment methods including case studies, theory tasks, projects and practical demonstration.
• Some units of competency require assessment of practical skills during work placement.
• You will receive clear assessment instructions and an opportunity will be provided for resubmission of assessments if required.

Pathway to Further Training

The Certificate IV in Community Services provides a pathway to a range of Diploma level qualifications in Community Services and a Bachelor Degree in Community Services or Social Science.

Eligibility for Subsidised Training

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government under the Smart & Skilled Training Program. To be eligible you must be

• an Australian Citizen/Perm Resident/NZ citizen/humanitarian visa holder or a partner visa holder whose sponsor is a humanitarian visa holder
• aged 15 years or older, and
• live or work in New South Wales, and
• no longer be at school or equivalent (excluding registered home schooled)

See Smart & Skilled Funding page for details of the range of eligible benefits.

Limited fee free scholarships are available for eligible students who are 15-30 years of age and either a Commonwealth Welfare recipient or the dependant of a Commonwealth Welfare recipient. Students with a disability or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are also eligible for a fee exemption. Evidence of eligibility for a fee exemption will be required. Other fee free opportunities for disadvantaged students are available – see NSW Department of Education website for further information.

Course cost

If you meet the above eligibility criteria for the Smart & Skilled the course cost is as follows:

Exempt: Fee-Free
Concession: $240
No prior post school qualification: $1990
If prior post school qualification: $2320

Course cost includes course resources.

Payment options:

Pay by two interest free direct debit instalments (half on enrolment and half midway through the course) or $240 on enrolment followed by fortnightly, interest free direct debit payments. Note: Classes will run subject to sufficient enrolments being received.

Course cost

If you do not meet the above eligibility criteria for subsidised training, the cost for this course is: $8000 – please contact the College for payment options.

College Trainers

All NBMC Trainers/Assessors are current industry professionals with the required qualifications to deliver and assess this course. Trainers draw upon and share their own experiences in the industry to ensure that the training delivered to you is current and relevant. For information about individual trainers, please click on the trainer name in the class details below for the trainer’s bio.

Student Support

Please advise our Training Coordinator at your initial telephone or personal meeting if you require additional support in your learning. This will allow a support plan to be devised before you commence your course.

Why study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College?

Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that include real life work experience, when you choose to study at the three-campus Northern Beaches & Mosman College (NBMC).

With classes available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in Narrabeen, Brookvale and Mosman, the College offers increasing numbers of accredited and vocational qualifications. Students include those looking to upskill, to change career direction and school leavers keen to step onto a career pathway. Courses on offer can lead directly to employment and/or go towards future learning opportunities.

Virtual Classroom using Zoom

Zoom is easy to use video conferencing software with a simple set up. You will be able to see your trainer and classmates and interact as though you were in the same room, all from the comfort of your own home!

This is what you need to join a Zoom classroom:

• Understanding the basics of using Zoom – see our free Zoom tutorial by clicking here.
• Access to a computer, iPad/tablet or smartphone; and
• A webcam* so that you can be seen by the trainer; and
• A microphone* so that you can participate in the class and be heard by the trainer; and
• A good Internet connection.

*If you have a laptop computer a webcam and microphone is usually built into the top of the screen frame. Smartphones and iPad/tablets also contain cameras and microphones.

Once you have watched our free tutorial and experimented with Zoom, if you still have questions, we are offering free Q & A Zoom sessions with one of our experienced trainers. See our Zoom page for available dates by clicking here.

National Recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - is a process of acknowledging previously completed qualifications, skills, knowledge or experience relevant to your course. This may reduce the amount of learning required, reduce your course fees and allow you to achieve your qualification faster. Any student who believes they may be eligible for RPL should discuss this with our Training Coordinator on enrolment.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

From 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Federal Government that all students undertaking nationally recognised training will need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This involves an easy online application. See USI Fact Sheet for information on how to apply for a USI go to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Website for additional information.

Please ensure when completing your enrolment information, that the details relating to your name are identical to those on the identification evidence (eg passport or driver’s licence) used when creating your USI, eg no abbreviations or nicknames should be used. Once created, it is important that you keep a record of your USI and access to your accredited training records in a safe place. You will need this information for any future enrolments into accredited training in Australia. Please contact the College on 9970 1000 if you require assistance.

To Enrol or for Further Information

• Commence the enrolment process by completing the application below.
• Contact Nadia Louw on 9970 1008 or email nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au for further information.

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.