DiplomaRecommended

Diploma of Community Services

Mercury Colleges

Sydney, Australia
2 years
English
Hybrid
Diploma

About the program

A two-year Diploma (CHC52025) preparing students for case work and community program roles, With a 120-hour placement.

Program highlights

Internship available: yes
Placement support: yes
Work during study: yes
Post-study work rights (0 year): no
PR pathway friendly: no

What you will learn

Learners studying Community Services can develop the ability to develop discipline-specific knowledge
Critically evaluate relevant evidence and communicate ideas using suitable professional or academic methods. These are indicative learning goals
Not a confirmed list of the university's assessed course outcomes.

Career outcomes

Community services worker
Early intervention worker
Group facilitator
Program coordinator
Youth officer
Welfare worker
Case worker

Curriculum

Twenty units
Twelve core and eight elective
Plus 120 hours of unpaid placement. Core units cover legal and ethical compliance
Co-existing needs
Service programs
Crisis response
Case management
Sociology
Family violence
Diversity
Cultural safety and reflective practice. Electives include mental health
Counselling
Advocacy and empowerment.

Entry requirements

Academic

Aged 18 or over
Year 12 or equivalent (CHC courses also accept proven aged-care or nursing experience)
LLND assessment before enrolment
English: IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 (or equivalent)
Or Upper-Intermediate General English/EAP
Or an AQF Certificate IV or higher delivered and assessed in English. Also: suitable fitness and health
Police clearance
Working with Children Check and immunisations for placement. Grade guidance from source: Year 12 or equivalent
No minimum grade published.

Accepted academic background

Aged 18 or over, Year 12 or equivalent (or above), LLND (language, Literacy, Numeracy, Digital) assessment before enrolment. Course-specific: CHC courses also accept proven experience in an aged care or nursing environment instead of Year 12, Diploma of Marketing and Communication needs the Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication (or listed units) or two years of relevant full-time work, Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management needs a BSB Diploma/Advanced Diploma or two years of relevant leadership/operational experience, Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication needs the Diploma (or listed units) or four years of relevant work, A CHC work placement (120 hours) and police/immunisation checks apply.

Language tests

IELTS 6.0

Documents you’ll need

Application Form
Passport Copy
English Language Test Results (if applicable).

How to apply

Check the entry requirements (age 18 or over
Year 12 or equivalent
English evidence) on the course page. Complete the Mercury Colleges application form and submit it to the admissions office with your passport copy
Certified Year 12 certificate
IELTS 6.0 or other English proof
OSHC proof of payment. Complete the LLND assessment (and placement test if no English proof was given). Receive a conditional Letter of Offer
Sign it and make the first payment to secure your place. The college issues your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Include the CoE code in your student visa application. Tell the college your Australian address within 7 days and attend orientation on day one.

Other costs

Tuition per year	$12,000 AUD
Application fee	$100 AUD
Deposit	$1,000 AUD

Program details

Campus	Sydney CBD
Faculty or school	Ageing Support and Community Services Programs
Department	Community Services
Teaching language	English
Credit value	20,96
Study pace	Flexible,Fixed
Post-study stay	0 year
Scholarship note	_

Intakes and deadlines

Program starts
November 2027
Apply by
19 Nov 2026
5 days left

Frequently asked questions

The program takes 2 years.