FAQs about Community Services & Counselling Courses
What is a community services course?
Upskilled has a variety of courses available to prepare you for work in the community services industry. Depending on your skills and experience, you may be able to undertake a diploma or certificate-level qualification that is nationally-recognised to all employers in Australia.
Community services workers generally need a diploma qualification but people starting out in their career can study a certificate to get started in developing the skills required for a career in the industry.
Upskilled currently offers courses in:
- Case management
- Mental health
- Counselling
- Aged care
- Disability
- Alcohol and other drugs
What qualifications do I need to enrol in a community service course?
To enrol in a community service course, there are no formal entry requirements for this course.
To make sure you get the most out of training with us, the following enrolment process applies:
- Once you have inquired, one of our friendly Education Consultants will contact you to ensure you have the right pre-existing knowledge and skills to achieve your chosen qualification.
- A short language, literacy and numeracy assessment will need to be completed upon enrolment.
How long will it take before I gain a Diploma in Community Services?
A Diploma in Community Services course is designed to be completed within 12-24 months.
There is no minimum timeframe to complete this course. Students who are highly motivated, well-organised, experienced and committed to making time to study can complete the qualification at an accelerated pace.
Please speak with one of our Education Consultants about your study and course completion goals.
Is there an age limit to enroling in a community service course?
You need to be over 18 years old to enrol in this course.
What is it like to work in community services?
As a community services worker, you'll be supporting others to improve their livelihoods and wellbeing, creating positive change and impact. You'll generally work with people that are part of the vulnerable populations, where they may face ongoing mental and physical health issues or struggling with substance abuse.
There are a wide range of specialisations you can explore within the community services industry. This includes:
- Aged Care
- Disability
- Case Management
- Mental Health
- Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
- Youth Work
Community services workers have the ability to work in a variety of settings, which includes hospitals, government institutions and other related health facilities.
What career outcomes can you achieve in community services?
Depending on what qualification you end up studying with Upskilled, there are a variety of career outcomes you can pursue that may be in line with your career goals. The community services sector has an extensive range of career opportunities available and it will depend on where your passion lies. At the end of the day, you'll have the opportunity to work in an industry where job satisfaction and career fulfilment is high.
The following are potential career pathways you can explore:
- Aged care worker
- Mental health worker
- Drug and alcohol support worker
- Disability support worker
What are the employment prospects in community services?
If you're interested in a career in community services, here are some interesting facts and figures that can help you decide if this is the pathway for you.
- Most community services workers need a formal qualification, and generally go through Vocational and Education Training (VET).
- The future growth for employment opportunities in community services is very strong.
- The average weekly pay for community services workers is $1,328
Why should you work in community services?
- Make a real difference in people's lives: No matter what role you choose to pursue in the community services industry, the support and care you'll give to other people can create a positive impact.
- A variety of work available: You have room to move in the community services industry, so if you want to be in a different role, it's possible to do this as there are plenty of other sectors you can explore.
- The industry is booming: It's projected that by 2023, the industry will have over 1.9 million employees. With Australia's ageing population, there is a high demand for skilled workers in community services - particularly in aged care.
- Develop useful transferable skills: Being a team player, having the ability to solve problems and critical thinking are transferable skills you can gain from working in community services, which can help you interact with people on a daily basis.
Is community services the right career path for you?
If you're someone that is after a career that doesn't involve sitting at a desk-job, community services offers flexibility and involves a lot of hands-on work. The community services industry also has a range of specialisations you can explore, from aged care to mental health to youth work. This means you don't have to stick to one area if you get bored - you have the ability to move around and take on other exciting work challenges throughout your career.
People who work in community services are compassionate and considerate indviduals who want to help people when it comes to the challenges they face in their everyday lives. If you identify with the following personality traits, these can help you find career success as a community services worker:
- Compassion and empathy
- Resilience
- Organised
- Flexible
- Patience and tact
Why should you study community services?
Studying community services online can provide you with the flexibility needed to plan your work and personal commitments around your study schedule.
At Upskilled, we understand the importance of having a mix of practical and theory components to prepare you for work in the community services industry, so our courses include assessments that can help you achieve your desired career outcome.
By studying community services with Upskilled, you'll have access to:
- Student Support Services: Our consultants will be ready to assist should you run into issues throughout your studies.
- Work Placement: You'll have the opportunity to undertake work placement at a host organisation of your choice, where you can put the theory you learn into practice (only available through diploma and certificate-level qualifications, excluding counselling and community sector management).
- Role-Playing and Interactive Learning Activities: Our specialist trainers may run ad-hoc Interactive Learning Activities in support of your studies. During these sessions, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with other students. Upskilled's community services courses also include assessments that involve role-playing, making them interactive and fun.
Is community services a good career?
If you're someone that has an outgoing personality and the desire to create an impact on the lives of other people, community services is an industry that offers plenty of rewarding work that can make the most of your strengths and qualities.
If you enjoy working with others, can easily relate to people and prefer a role that is hands-on, working as a community services worker can possibly be a job title that you can naturally flourish in.
Why is it important to study a community services course?
Studying a community services course can equip you with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the community services industry. The CHC52015 - Diploma of Community Services can help you gain the relevant skill set to further expand your career options, as well as prepare you for challenges you may encounter in the field.
One of the key reasons why people study community services is they either want to change careers, improve their existing skill set or work towards a higher-level role in related areas such as social work, disability, or children and youth.
Upskilled has online courses that can help you pursue specialised areas in the community services industry. These include:
What skills can you gain from a community services course?
A community services course can help you gain the required skills to be prepared for a rewarding career in the industry. You'll get the opportunity to give back to the community and help people.
Some of the core skills you can gain from a community services course include:
- Excellent people skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Empathy
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to undertake admin and organisational tasks
Most of the online community services offered through Upskilled includes work placement where you'll have the opportunity to gain work experience at a host organisation of your choice.
This means that you'll have exposure to real-work scenarios that can give you further preparation and a foot in the door for paid employment. It can also help you make professional connections with people already working in the industry.
All Upskilled community services courses include role-playing activities that allow you to also work with either your colleagues, family or friends to participate in your assessments. This helps us assess your understanding of the content and provides you with practical training for the industry, alongside the theory-based community services units.
How to enrol in this course?
To enrol in a community services course with Upskilled, the first step is to fill out an enquiry form for any of the courses you're personally interested in. You'll be required to provide the following details:
You'll also be required to answer the question, 'What best describes you?', which indicates your specific intentions when it comes to your career. This could mean:
- Changing careers
- Looking for a promotion
- Returning to work
- Starting your career
- Expanding your skill set
This will help our education consultants ask the relevant questions before they start the enrolment process. Once you submit an enquiry form, they should be in touch within 48 hours.
During your course consultation, education consultants will happily assist if you have questions on:
- Payment options
- If you're eligible for the course
- Community services jobs you can pursue after course completion
Once you're happy with everything, your education consultant will send you through an enrolment form via email.