Gain a strong foundational skill set and knowledge base to enter a challenging yet rewarding career as a support worker. Learn to provide quality client support, empowering and facilitating their interests and advocating for their needs.
Community Services workers empower and support disadvantaged and vulnerable people to achieve their goals. They provide housing, mental health, disability, multicultural, financial, youth, domestic and family violence support. Your experience and career goals will help determine what pathway is best for you. Watch our video to learn more.
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
Form caring and supportive relationships with people accessing services
Manage conflict and respond to concerning behaviours
Provide individualised support to clients and prioritise and respond to their needs
Work within work health and safety guidelines
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.
A nationally accredited qualification at Certificate III level
An introduction to the community services sector and a strong foundation to build on
The confidence, practical strategies and communication skills to effectively support individuals and families
Experience working in our simulated organisations, the Indigo Community Services and Health Hub
A strong pathway to continue your community services study, at a certificate IV or Diploma level
The skills to work as a support worker
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol
Please complete our survey to find out if the Certificate III in Community Service course is suitable for you
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
Empathy and the willingness to empower others
Patience and emotional intelligence to understand and connect with people
The ability to work with vulnerable people in difficult situations and circumstances
A passion for working with people and providing the best possible support
The ability to confidently use a computer and Microsoft Word
The drive to consistently attend and participate in class
Good literacy and communication skills
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.
Our graduates go onto roles like:
Welfare Support Workers provide support, information and advice to clients on emotional, financial, recreational, health, housing and other social welfare matters, and evaluate and coordinate the services of welfare and community service agencies.
67%
17,800 workers
43 years
$1,320
41 hours
High
73% female
Strong Growth
Other jobs include: community services support worker and community services worker.
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
The Certificate III in Community Services does not have any related courses.
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.
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Community Services qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 12 units of competency, including 5 core and 7 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
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.
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
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
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
There are a total of 30 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.
You can select a study option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to Study and Career Pathways