Overview
Prepare yourself for a diverse and rewarding career in the community sector with a Certificate IV in Community Services CHC42015 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
You will gain a strong practical and theoretical base in welfare and social justice to work in a range of community support services. You’ll be ready to provide support, education, advocacy or interventions for individual clients, groups or communities. This course will teach you to provide holistic support in residential and community settings. You’ll learn to respond to social, emotional, psychological and practical needs.
You will gain industry-specific knowledge and skills including:
- community development
- relationship building
- working with diverse people
- conflict resolution and problem solving
- community education and engagement
- facilitating the interests and rights of clients
- organising group activities and projects
- promoting awareness of domestic and family violence.
Free TAFE - apply now
Eligible students currently won’t pay tuition fees for this course.
Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.
Find out more about Free TAFE.
Community-focused place to study
Victoria University Polytechnic believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity. We have a strong history of community engagement, working with organisations in the region to develop programs that meet local needs.
These partnerships benefit the communities near each of our campuses, and benefit our students too. By contributing to local projects, we can ensure our students’ skills are well matched to opportunities in the region, and create networks for future employment.
Industry links
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. We have prioritised forming close partnerships with 10 key industries and community services is one of these. Learning with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.
You’ll consolidate your skills through participation in an industry-based Community Project (with a community organisation). You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills and knowledge. You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:
- guest speaker presentations
- excursions
- scenario-based learning and assessments.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
Library & computer facilities
Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.
You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:
- databases
- e-learning content for courses
- student email
- student software packages
- social networking tools.
On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Information sessions
Join us at one of our information sessions to find out more about our courses in community services, community development, youth work, mental health, and alcohol and other drugs. The sessions will cover:
- the course structure
- information industry connections
- placement opportunities
- pathways to further study.
TAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
- Course information sessions
Careers in community services
The welfare and community services sector is one of Australia’s fastest growing sectors, and is expected to continue growing strongly (Labour Market Insights). The Certificate IV in Community Services CHC42015 from Victoria University Polytechnic can help you get your foot in the door.
Working in community services is demanding but rewarding. This course is designed to prepare you to address the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs of the community. You will be able to work in a range of contexts such as:
- community based organisations
- residential rehabilitation services
- outreach services
- case work/case management.
Example job titles include:
- case worker
- community services worker
- community support worker
- domestic violence worker
- early intervention homelessness worker
- family support worker
- health education officer
- outreach officer
- support worker
- welfare support worker
- welfare worker.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, comprising of:
- seven (7) core units, and;
- eight (8) elective units, consisting of:
- at least six (6) units from the electives listed in the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services qualification;
- up to two (2) units from the electives listed in the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services qualification, any endorsed training package or accredited course.
Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award of the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services. Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide a qualification with a specialisation. Electives must be industry relevant as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.
Specialisations
The Polytechnic, currently do not offer specialisations for this qualification.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
Elective units
Group A
Other Electives
Imported
Other Imported Electives for continuing students
Units in Transition and Continuing students
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of community service workers who design and deliver person-centred services to individuals and/or groups. Workers may provide support, advocacy or interventions to individual clients, groups or communities across a range of services.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.
Browse our other Community services courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.
Enquire now – TAFE
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Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
