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- Certificate III in Community Services
Back to:Community and Youth Services
Overview
About this course
Gain strong foundational skills and knowledge for a rewarding career as a support worker. Help clients feel confident and heard. Use your experience to stand up for their best interests and make a tangible difference to your community.
Study Community Services
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.
Complete our survey to find out if the Certificate III in Community Service course is suitable for you.
Outcomes
What you'll gain
Learning outcomes
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 client-specific support, prioritise and respond to needs
work within work health and safety (WHS) guidelines.
Course outcomes
Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.
A nationally accredited qualification at certificate III level.
The skills to work as a support worker.
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.
Suitability
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol.
This course can be completed as part of a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.
Traineeship
You must be employed as a trainee in the industry.
Your Apprenticeship Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) must submit your Training Proposal Plan (TPP).
Visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page for more information.
Completion requirements
During your study you'll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
empathy and patience to support others
interest in understanding and connecting with people
a passion to work with vulnerable people in difficult circumstances
a keen interest in providing the best possible support to people in need
the confidence to use a computer and Microsoft Word
the motivation to attend and participate in class
good literacy and communication skills.
The following foundation skills:
You can plan your work and try to solve problems on your own.
You can understand documents you see often in everyday life.
You can write short sentences or lists to share information.
You can speak clearly and explain your thoughts in a group.
You can do everyday maths like working out prices or reading a timetable.
You can use email, search the internet, and open files.
Important information
This course includes topics and situations that might be upsetting. Think about how you might feel before starting the course or working in this area. If you need help getting ready to study, contact us to talk about your options.
We tailor our courses to meet local community needs, so some campuses may have extra entry requirements. Check your preferred location for details. Need help preparing? Contact us for support.
Find Your Fit
This simple tool guides you to a suitable course level based on your foundation skills and confidence.
Pathways
Future career and study options
Career pathways
Our graduates go onto roles like:
Welfare Support Workers
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.
Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).
67%
Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.
17,800 workers
Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.
43 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.
$1,320
Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.
41 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
73% 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: disability support worker, residential assistant, support facilitator, community services support worker and community services worker.
Study pathways
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Previous study1 Course
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Further study5 Courses
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Related study1 Course
Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.
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 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 - 0
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 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
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
Info sessions
Want to know more?
There are a total of 12 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.
You can view all sessions related to Community and Youth Services.
Study options