Are you ready to start a TAFE course? You can enrol in your first Free TAFE course regardless of your prior qualifications. 

Our Diploma of Community Services is designed to provide you with knowledge and skills in community development, casework and group work. This community services course prepares you to work as a social welfare worker, and provides you with an understanding of human rights, cultural inclusion, Indigenous culture, issues and strategies for effective service delivery.

Our Diploma of Community Services is also ACWA (Australian Community Workers Association) Accredited.

This qualification reflects the roles of community services, case management and social housing workers involved in the managing, coordinating and/or delivering of person-centered services to individuals, groups and communities. At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. Workers are usually providing direct support to individuals or groups of individuals. Workers 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.

Special note: Prior to undertaking clinical work placement all students must obtain an International Police Check, Victorian Police Check and Working with Children Clearance (WWCC). Further checks may be required for particular industry placements, students will be advised if they are matched to these organisations.  Students will be responsible for the costs associated with requirements. If placements are taken outside of Bendigo any accommodation costs that may be incurred will be the responsibility of the student.

Our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning. This flexibility allows our students to continue to study in a safe, guided and supported manner.

To enrol with Bendigo TAFE, you are no longer mandated to have evidence of your COVID 19 Vaccination. It is important to note that as a part of your studies, you will be required to complete a placement component. While no longer mandated, individual Placement hosts will be guided by their individual policies and procedures in relation to vaccination requirements for staff and students. Students who are attending a community services organisation for placement purposes will need to comply with the policies and procedures of their host service.

Modes of Study

This course requires face to face classroom study and compulsory work placement (arranged by Bendigo TAFE) of 400 hours.

students must be able to undertake 2 x 5½ week placement blocks. Each placement block is full-time during business hours (Monday-Friday). There are no scheduled classes during this time.

Bendigo TAFE's Placement Support Officer will assist students with their placement needs in approved host organisations. Bendigo TAFE will make efforts to secure all students an appropriate placement.

Student may be asked to travel up to 45 minutes to 1 hour to attend placement.

Once enrolled - if you work in the industry you may contact the Placement Team about undertaking the placement with your employer - provided they meet the host requirements.

It is a practical placement requirement to have a Satisfactory National Police Check and Working With Children Check.

There may be additional placement requirements that the Placement Team will discuss with you shortly after course commencement. This could include things such as infection control training, resume writing, police check disclosures, etc.

Students will be required to follow workplace requirements regarding COVID19 measures. Updated details regarding COVID19 requirements will be advised throughout.

A Placement Logbook will be provided to students to record their placement hours and tasks.

Students located out of the regional Bendigo area will be required to discuss placement host opportunities with the Placement Team. Please note that additional travel time may be required for you to undertake placement.

Major study areas

• Communication skills
• Sociology
• Case management
• Community and program development
• Counselling skills
• Trauma informed care
• Workplace debriefing and support
• Mental Health
• Alcohol and other drugs
• Legal and ethical compliance
• Family violence
• Work health and safety

• Classroom based and self directed learning
• Work placement