COURSE GUIDE

Certificate III in Community Services CHC32015

Introduction

Get qualified with our nationally recognised CHC30215 Certificate III Community Services. This hands-on career is experiencing huge demand for workers, so you will graduate with many job opportunities. You will learn to support vulnerable and at-risk individuals and groups within the community and join a rewarding field in need of workers like you.

Course Breakdown

E1410

CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services

Course duration: Self-paced - maximum of 12 months

Recommended hours per week: 24h

Delivery method: Online with Work Placement

Qualification level: Certificate III

Awarded by: Open Colleges Pty Ltd (Provider number: 90796)

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Industry Overview

It is expected for there to be very strong growth in the Welfare Support (Community Services) sector over the next five years and is likely to reach 73,300 by 2025. 

Source: Australian Government Job Outlook (https://joboutlook.gov.au/) 

Is this course for you?

This course is perfect for people with no experience in care work, but who would like to kick start a career in the Community Services Industry. 

You will build your knowledge from the ground up, equipping you with a solid set of entry level skills that you can use to launch your career when you graduate. 

What you will learn

During the course, you will learn how to: 

  • Work within a community development framework 
  • Provide individualised support 
  • Support independence and wellbeing 
  • Communicate and work in health or community services 
  • Follow safe work practices for direct client care 
  • Organise workplace information 
  • Manage personal stressors in the work environment 
  • Provide first point of contact 
  • Work with diverse people 
  • Respond to client needs 
  • Facilitate the interests and rights of clients 
  • Reflect on and improve own professional practice 

Learning Material

Your learning materials are accessed through our online platform OpenSpace. These learning materials include 

  • Learning content 
  • Media 
  • Additional resources 
  • Learning activities 
  • Self-checks 

Your trainer

Faamaoni Kaleti
Faamaoni brings over a decade of experience in the Community Services sector, excelling in various roles from Support Worker to Chief Operations Officer within a large-scale organisation. His passion for connecting with people through authentic and empathetic approaches has been a cornerstone of his success.
Michelle Hay Chapman
Michelle has over 16 years of experience of working within the healthcare industry working as an Enrolled Nurse and a personal care worker. She has worked with people that have a disability within different community programs and within aged care. Michelle’s specialised skills include infection control, dementia care, palliative care and person-centred care.
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Academic Information

Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements.

Certificate III in Community Services

CHCCOM005
Communicate and work in health or community services
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  • Communicate effectively with people
  • Collaborate with colleagues
  • Address constraints to communication
  • Report problems to supervisor
  • Complete workplace correspondence and documentation
  • Contribute to continuous improvement
CHCCDE003
Work within a community development framework
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  • Operate within a community development framework
  • Distinguish between private and public issues arising in community development work
  • Work with groups to achieve community development outcomes
HLTWHS002
Follow safe work practices for direct client care
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  • Follow safe work practices for direct client care
  • Follow safe work practices for manual handling
  • Follow safe work practices for infection control
  • Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace
  • Reflect on own safe work practices
BSBINM301
Organise workplace information
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  • Collect and assess information
  • Organise information
  • Review information needs
HLTWHS006
Manage personal stressors in the work environment
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  • Develop strategies to manage personal stress
  • Implement stress management strategies
  • Evaluate stress reducing strategies
5/ modules
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Assessment Details

  • Activities
  • Multiple choice questions
  • Role plays
  • Workplace assessments
  • Written assessments

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

We understand that you may already have many skills and areas of expertise that you have obtained in different ways and these are recognised through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Our Credit Transfer & Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, available in the Key Student Information section of our website, provides more information about our RPL process. Alternatively, you can contact an Enrolment Consultant to discuss your RPL options.

Course Duration

The duration for the course is self paced - maximum of 12 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Entry Requirements

Recommended Local Entry Requirements

Students will need to be at least 18 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.

Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.

These skills are equivalent to:

  • Successful completion of Year 10 OR
  • ACSF Level 2

Tools, equipment, and skills required:

  • Access to up to 3 people to participate in role plays and assessments
  • Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
  • A simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions for role-play with facilities and equipment
  • Tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
  • Basic computing skills
  • Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
  • Access to Microsoft Office

Additional Requirements:

  • Students need to have a reasonable level of fitness, as the role may involve a variety of physical tasks, such as providing personal care, assisting clients with mobility and transfers, and considerable time standing and walking. Additionally, where first aid is a requirement of the host organisation, students are required to have the requisite level of fitness that enables them to complete 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin placed on the floor. It is the responsibility of the student to notify OC of their physical requirements after enrolment.
  • Students are required to wear closed-toed rubber-soled shoes and have their hair tied back. Workplaces may specify a uniform they would like the student to wear. Students are responsible for any costs associated with meeting the host organisation's uniform requirements.
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Work Placement

This course contains a minimum of 160 hours of work placement.

What are the benefits?

  • By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
  • You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
  • Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

How do I find a work placement?

Focus on your studies while we handle your work placement. Through our partnership with SkilTrak, our Guaranteed Work Placement ensures you gain hands-on experience in your dream career—right in your local area. Learn more

How does Guaranteed Work Placement work?

  • Meet with SkilTrak – Their team will discuss your skills, goals, location, and travel preferences to arrange the best placement for you.
  • We’ll do the work – While you continue your coursework, we’ll be behind the scenes securing the perfect placement match.
  • Get the details – Have a quick chat with us to go over what to expect from your work placement experience.
  • Start your placement – Gain real-world experience while we check in along the way to ensure everything is running smoothly.
  • Complete your course – Once your placement is done, upload your workbooks, finish your final assessment, and receive your certificate.

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) will require a minimum of 160 hours in the workplace.

Students can commence work placement after successful completion of modules 1-12.

There will also be specific assessment tasks including a logbook and portfolios to be completed at the workplace.

Workplaces suitable to undertake SWL include:

  • Group homes
  • Respite care services
  • Daycare centres
  • Home care environments
  • Community support settings, such as: aged day services or aged day care programs, day care for seniors, multicultural aged day care programs, independent living facilities, neighbourhood centres, over 55 villages, group homes

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

The workplace may require the student to meet workplace-specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:

  • Police Check
  • Working with Children Check 
  • Screening and vaccination against infectious diseases, including COVID-19 
  • Signing of Codes of Conduct and Confidentiality Agreements 
  • First Aid Certificate 


Immunisations

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Supervisor Requirements

The workplace supervisor will need to:

  • Have a minimum of 1 year experience in the Community Services sector in a supervisory or team leader role
  • Hold a minimum qualification of CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services or equivalent
  • Be currently employed in delivering care services in a relevant workplace

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Study and pay, your way

Payment Options

Week to week
Pay as you go
Save 2%
Pay in $200.00 today & then over 52 instalments
$80.75 Weekly
Total course cost: $4,399.00
Save $100.00
was $4,499.00
Fortnightly
Pay as you go
Save 11%
Pay in 65 instalments over the length of your course.
$61.62 Weekly
Total course cost: $4,005.00
Save $494.00
was $4,499.00
Pay Upfront
Save 40%
$2,700.00 Save $1,799.00
was $4,499.00
Full course breakdown
TBD

Studying online with Open Colleges

Flexibility - study at your own pace

When you study online with Open Colleges you’re in control.

You can choose to complete your course quickly, or keep to a steady pace. Learning is fully flexible so you can fit your everyday commitments around your studies.

Everything you need to study is online so you can study wherever you like – but that doesn’t mean you’re on your own.

OpenSpace is our online learning platform. It’s where you’ll go to access your learning materials, contact your expert trainers and assessors and upload your assessments.

What is OpenSpace?

It’s important to us that we deliver a superior, online learning platform that meets our students’ needs. That’s why we have upgraded to our brand new, custom-designed learning platform, OpenSpace.

OpenSpace provides you with a user-friendly interface, that is mobile responsive. This means that you can complete your coursework using your laptop, iPad, or mobile device. All coursework is automatically saved, providing you with the flexibility you need to complete your studies anywhere, anytime.

How to get support?

Learning Support

The learning support team will be with you every step of the way, from enrolment to graduation. They’re here to help you get the most out of your online course. They can assist by providing non-academic support - like helping you craft an achievable study plan so that you can graduate in a realistic timeframe. If you’re finding it tough to stay motivated throughout your course, they’ll be there to help keep you on track.

Student support

The Student Support team is your one-stop service centre for all student administrative issues – including enrolment, change of contact details, OpenSpace support, assessment results and certification. You can access the Student Support team by email or phone.

Trainer Support

Studying online doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Our trainers are here to help — whether you want to book a chat, send an email, join a webinar, or take part in a discussion forum. We’ve made it easy for you. Each study area has dedicated booking links and contact details, all available in OpenSpace account, so you can quickly connect with your trainer or ask a question when you need support.

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How would you like to pay for your course?
  • Payment Plan

    Deposit Required

    Upfront Cost

    $200.00 due today
    and $80.75 pay weekly

    • Pay in 52 instalments
    • Save 2%
    • Total course cost: $4,399.00 was $4,499.00
  • View more details View less details
  • Enrol now, Pay Later

    No Deposit Required

    Upfront Cost

    $0 due today
    and $61.62 pay fortnightly

    • Pay in 65 instalments interest free
    • Save 11%
    • Total course cost: $4,005.00 was $4,499.00
    • Paid fortnightly, over the length of your course with
    • You or partner can apply, full or part time employment required
  • View more details View less details
  • Pay Upfront

    Best Value

    Upfront Cost

    $2,700.00 $4,499.00

    • One off payment
    • Save 40%
    • Total course cost: $2,700.00 was $4,499.00
    • Get the best value when you pay upfront
    • Pay in 4 with
    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • Apple Pay
    • American Express
    • PayPal
  • View more details View less details

Speak with an advisor to discuss other payment options. Call 1300 853 033.

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Faamaoni Kaleti

Health & Community
Faamaoni brings over a decade of experience in the Community Services sector, excelling in various roles from Support Worker to Chief Operations Officer within a large-scale organisation. His passion for connecting with people through authentic and empathetic approaches has been a cornerstone of his success.
Known as Oni, he has held diverse roles, including Accommodation Manager, Community Participation Coordinator, Counsellor, Operations Manager, and Chief Operations Officer. Throughout his career, he has worked with a wide range of individuals, including children, youth, and adults. Oni specialises in supporting individuals with complex behaviours and facilitating their rehabilitation back into the community, fostering independence through a humanitarian approach and collaborative services.
With three years of experience as a trainer, Oni has worked with students in a hybrid learning environment and is eager to share his lived experiences and professional expertise. He holds qualifications in Certificate IV in Community Services, a Diploma in Counselling, and an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management, and he is currently pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
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Michelle Hay Chapman

Health & Community
Michelle has over 16 years of experience of working within the healthcare industry working as an Enrolled Nurse and a personal care worker. She has worked with people that have a disability within different community programs and within aged care. Michelle’s specialised skills include infection control, dementia care, palliative care and person-centred care.
Over the years she has also worked in General Practice, different hospitals across Southeast Queensland as an agency nurse working in the areas of mental health, palliative care, and dementia units.

Michelle has been a Trainer in adult education for over 6 years working in classrooms, workplaces, online and in secondary schools.

• Diploma of Nursing

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

• Diploma of Business

• Diploma of Community Services

• Certificate 3 in Aged Care