Published: 3rd May 2022.
Written by Jodie Magrath
Working in community services can be a really rewarding career. Whether you’d like to work with young people, people with a disability, elderly clients or people affected by mental illness, this industry offers numerous career opportunities. Studying a course in community services can get you started in this field or improve your skills so you can take on a role with more responsibility. If you’re not sure which community services qualification would be best for you, here are some of the most popular choices for further study:
Certificate III in Individual Support
A Certificate III in Individual Support is a great way to get started in the community services sector. This course will give you the skills you need to provide individual support and take on roles such as aged care worker, disability support worker, community care worker or residential care worker. You’ll cover topics such as communication, ethics and personal safety and be able to specialise in an area that interests you such as ageing, disability or home and community care.
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is an ideal qualification for anyone who wants to provide care to elderly clients. You’ll be prepared to work in a range of aged care positions including aged care worker, community care worker, home care assistance worker, personal carer or residential care worker. This course covers topics including providing individualised support, supporting independence and well-being and working legally and ethically.
Certificate III in Community Services
If you enjoy providing support to other people, the Certificate III in Community Services could be an excellent choice. This qualification will give you the skills to work in a range of community service roles such as support worker, volunteer coordinator, youth case worker or youth support worker
. You’ll be able to choose electives based on your career plans including working with the elderly, working with children and young people, drugs and alcohol or mental health.
Certificate IV in Disability
A Certificate IV in Disability will prepare you for a range of roles supporting people with a disability. You might gain work as a disability service officer, disability team leader, diversional therapy assistant, lifestyle coordinator or residential care officer. This course explores a range of topics including providing individualised support, empowerment of people with a disability and supporting community participation and social inclusion.
Certificate IV in Mental Health
The Certificate IV in Mental Health is the qualification you need to work with people affected by mental illness or psychiatric disability. You might be employed as a social worker or take on a position as a mental health worker, family support worker or outreach worker. The Certificate IV in Mental Health looks a range of subjects including building relationships, trauma informed care, drug and alcohol issues and staying safe at work.
Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
If you’d like to help elderly clients enjoy leisure activities, a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health can lead to a range of career opportunities. You’ll learn to design and carry out health and leisure programs in roles such as diversional therapy assistant or lifestyle coordinator. You might work with elderly clients in their own home or at an aged care facility. This course includes a work placement so you can gain valuable real life experience.
Diploma of Community Services
A Diploma of Community Services can give you the knowledge and skills you need to advance your career in this exciting field. This course allows you to specialise in an area of interest such as case management, social housing or child, youth and family welfare. You’ll be prepared for roles such as community corrections officer, community development worker, family support worker, housing officer, social worker, welfare worker and youth justice officer.
Diploma of Youth Work
If you find it rewarding to work with children and young people, the Diploma of Youth Work could be the qualification for you. Whether you plan to work as a youth case worker, family support worker or youth counsellor or take on a role such as youth justice officer or child safety officer, this course will give you the skills you need. You’ll learn to organise youth programs and activities and support young people in crisis or with mental health issues.
Diploma of Counselling
A Diploma of Counselling is a good option for people who want to offer counselling services through community service agencies. You might be employed in roles such as family or marriage counsellor, family support worker, mental health worker, student counsellor or youth crisis counsellor. This course will give you skills in communication, micro-counselling, interviewing skills and various counselling therapies.