National code: CHC42015

Certificate IV in Community Services

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Overview About this course

Build your career as a community services worker in the fastest growing industry in Australia. You’ll explore the interests of diverse communities, strengthen your skills, and provide quality care to clients as you work in areas like alcohol and other drugs, child protection, juvenile justice, and mental health.

This course is superseded. You can still enrol in this course, and you will be contacted if you need to transition into the next version when it is available.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Build caring and supportive relationships with clients, their carers, family members, and other support professionals

  • Engage in strategies to assist clients, groups and communities

  • Engage with a range of diverse clients and communities

  • Develop and maintain professional networks

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • A nationally accredited qualification at certificate IV level

  • A pathway to continue your study

  • A solid foundation for a career in community services

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

Some courses require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You can enrol today.

  • This course is offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • The ability to use a computer and Microsoft Word

  • Good communication skills

  • Independence and teamwork skills

  • Patience and can relate easily to people

  • Good organisation and time management skills

Important information

  • This qualification contains content, concepts and scenarios that may be distressing. Please consider your personal resilience and any potential emotional triggers when participating in this qualification and in any future employment in this field.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Community Worker

Community Workers facilitate community development initiatives and collective solutions within a community to address issues, needs and problems associated with recreational, health, housing, employment and other welfare matters.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    66%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    9,400 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    45 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $1,340

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    40 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    High

  • Gender share

    80% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Strong Growth

Other jobs include: community services worker, health education officer, domestic violence officer and family support worker.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 2 Courses

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 3 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 1 Course

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate IV in Community Services qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 15 units of competency , including 7 core and 8 speciality units.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Facilitate the interests and rights of clients CHCADV001

  • Assess co-existing needs CHCCCS004

  • Use communication to build relationships CHCCOM002

  • Work legally and ethically CHCLEG001

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Smarthinking - online access to a tutor

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Delivery options Find a location to enrol

On campus, online and blended study environments; at TAFE NSW your learning works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites, compare courses and discover what works for you.