Bachelor
The Bachelor of Community Services is a fully accredited Australian higher education degree. The course is designed to prepare you for ethical, competent, and culturally relevant community service generalist practice and to equip you with the skills you need for life-long learning and professional development. You will work at the interface between people and their environments, focusing on experiences of individuals, families, groups and communities. Some areas of service provision may include child welfare, hospice and palliative care, juvenile justice and corrections and advocacy.
You will be exposed to the theory and values base of human services practice, as well as the knowledge and necessary skills required to work as a professional at a managerial level in the community services sector. You will have the necessary foundation knowledge and skills in community services management to continue to a relevant post-graduate higher education program at a university or a private education provider.
Applicants who have recently completed their secondary education and meet the following criteria can apply for entry into this program.
Admission Criteria
Evidence of successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education to Year 12 or equivalent*, including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English and an ATAR of 68.
*This includes all Commonwealth, State and Territory final year secondary school certificates of education as well as an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Students who have completed their secondary education overseas, which are equivalent to an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, will be assessed for their suitability for the program on a case-by-case basis.
Special admission program*Our special admission program covers a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration.
2. Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET/TAFE) Study
Applicants with previous VET study who meet the following criteria can apply for entry into this program.
Admission Criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in any discipline.
OR:
Full completion of a Certificate IV in a related discipline.
Special admission program*Our special admission program covers a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration.
Applying for Credit TransferIf you have completed prior tertiary studies, you may be eligible for some credit exemptions. For further information, please refer to our Awarding of Credit Policy.
3. Applicants with Higher Education Study
Applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course and who meet the following criteria can apply for entry into this program.
Admission CriteriaFull or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course, for example, Foundation course or equivalent.
Special admission program*Our special admission program covers a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration.
Applying for Credit TransferIf you have completed prior tertiary studies, you may be eligible for some credit exemptions. For further information, please refer to our Awarding of Credit Policy.
4. Applicants with Work & Life Experience
Applicants who have left secondary school more than three years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then can also apply for entry based on other evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent, for example relevant work or life experience.
Admission criteriaFive years (minimum) work/life experience in Community Services or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
Special admission program*Our special admission program covers a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration.
Applying for Credit TransferIf you have completed prior tertiary studies, you may be eligible for some credit exemptions. For further information, please refer to our Awarding of Credit Policy.
*Special Admission
Applicants who fall under the following categories can discuss their admission and course options with the admission team prior to applying. Each application will be assessed on its merits and the applicant's capacity to successfully complete the course will be carefully considered in this assessment. The categories include, recognition as an Indigenous Australian, applicants whose school or home location is in rural or isolated areas, applicants with non-English speaking background, applicants with difficult living circumstances that have impacted their preparation for post-secondary study, applicants with disadvantaged financial background and applicants with disability or medical condition affecting their education.
Upon completion of the course, you are eligible for the Australian Community Workers' Association full membership. For more information, please visit the ACWA website.
Occupational titles for graduates with this qualification may include:
* Welfare Centre Manager
* Program Coordinator
* Community Worker
* Counsellor
* Case Manager
* Youth Worker
* Juvenile Justice Officer
* Child and Family Practitioner
* Community Development Worker
* Community Health Worker
This Careers link explores the relevant career options for the Diploma and Bachelor of Community Services. Note, the 3
Training Levels and Requirements Level 1:
Usually has a skill level equal to the completion of Year 10, a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, Certificate I or II. Australian Apprenticeships may be offered at this level.
Level 2:
Usually has a skill level equal to a Certificate III or IV, or at least three years relevant experience. Australian Apprenticeships may be offered at this level.
Level 3:
Usually requires a level of skill equal to a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Study is often undertaken through TAFEs or Registered Training Organisations. Some universities offer studies at this level.
Level 4:Usually requires a level of skill equal to a Bachelor Degree or higher qualification. Study is often undertaken at a university.
Information:
This chart shows a selection of occupations that have some relation to the learning area you have selected.
The four education and training levels are to be used as a guide only. These levels indicate the most common education and/or entry requirements for these jobs.
The title of an occupation viewed may differ to the title of the occupation selected. This is a result of a new data source for occupational information.
(Reference: Education Services Australia Limited website)
To be eligible for the Bachelor of Community Services, you are required to acquire 24 units (360 credit points) as prescribed in Units below.
You will study 3 units per trimester, with most units comprising of two hours (lecture) and 1 hour (tutorial) per week. You will also undertake 7 hours of personal study per unit per week. The number of days per week depends on your timetable and it would be 2-3 days (and potentially evening and weekend classes in some campuses).
For your placement units (FLD202 and FLD304), your placement hours will be negotiated together with your placement agency and Acknowledge Education's placement team, in line with ACWA requirements.
INT101 Introduction to Community Services
INT102 Interpersonal Communication Skills
INT103 Human Development Across the Lifespan
INT
COU101 Counselling Theory and Practice (1)
COU202 Counselling Theory and Practice (2)
COU303 Supervision and Debriefing
SAP101 Foundations of Sociology and Politics for Community Service Workers
SAP102 Welfare Systems and Services in Australia
SAP103 Introduction to Welfare Law
SAP203 Developing Social Policy
SAP304 Social Research Methods
CAS101 Community Development
CAS102 Group Work
CAS203 Principles of Case Management
CAS204 Managing Multiculturalism and Diversity
SPS201 Alcohol and Other Drugs
SPS202 Working with Young People and their Families
SPS303 Family and Domestic Violence
SPS304 Mental Health and the Community
FLD201 Ethics and Professional Practice
FLD202 Fieldwork 1
FLD303 Transition to Professional Practice
FLD304 Fieldwork 2