Certificate IV in Community Services

CHC42021
18 months
Online

If you’re searching for an entrance into a career where you can support individuals, groups, or communities, this nationally recognised Certificate IV in Community Services will get you there.

Learn the skills and knowledge to provide support, advocacy, or interventions across a range of services including community service, case work or case management. Study online at Swinburne Open Education.

Enrol now
  • Course code: CHC42021

  • Delivery mode: Online

  • Course duration: 18 months

  • Qualification: Certificate IV

  • Eligibility: This course is not available to International students

  • Nationally recognised: Yes

  • Awarded by: Swinburne University of Technology

  • Assessments

    • Online quizzes, including multiple choice and short answer questions

    • Portfolio of evidence

    • Written reports

    • Case studies

    • Video and audio role plays and demonstrations.

     

Kick start your career in community services with a nationally recognised Certificate IV.

Study online to gain a Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42021) with Swinburne Open Education. This nationally recognised certificate offers you specialised knowledge and skills required to support individuals, groups or communities.

This online course is designed to develop skills and knowledge required to provide support, advocacy or interventions across a range of services including community service, case work or case management. You will develop skills in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

After graduating this community services course you will be qualified to work in roles such as case worker, community support worker or child safety officer.

You can study online and continue your current work and life. Enrol to study Community Services online. Work towards your Certificate IV with Swinburne Open Education.

This course is not available to International students.

 

You will learn:

  • Specialised knowledge and skills required to support individuals, groups or communities.

  • Skills to provide support, advocacy or interventions across a range of services including community service, case work or case management.

  • Skills in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

 

Career outcomes

  • Case worker

  • Community support worker

  • Child safety officer

  • Domestic and family violence case worker.

A community support worker talking to a smiling woman with red hair

 

Start your career in the community services sector

Source: Career outcome information from Your Career (July 2024).

 

Why study Certificate IV in Community Services online

  • This nationally recognised certificate offers you specialised knowledge and skills required to support individuals, groups or communities.

  • Learn the skills and knowledge to provide support, advocacy, or interventions across a range of services including community service, case work or case management.

  • Our flexible online study allows you to continue with your current role while you study.

A case worker smiles while talking to another woman in a cafe with a green background

 

Study online with Swinburne Open Ed

  • Designed and delivered online so you can learn anywhere, anytime

  • Study on any device - desktop, tablet or mobile

  • Learn through regular trainer-lead online sessions and native content

  • Engage with your learning community through online forums and messages

 

Download your free course guide

Enter your details and the Swinburne Open team will send you a free course guide with the info to get started. An Enrolment Consultant will be in touch to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.

Loading...

 

All fields are required. By downloading the Course Guide, you agree to our Privacy Policy and receiving email and other forms of communication from us. You can opt-out at any time.

 

Once you have enrolled in this course, you can access our online platform and start with the first module. You will need to complete a module and then the next module becomes available to you.

This online course contains 16 online modules, which have been designed to cover the following units of competency, including 7 core units and 8 elective units. This community services course contains an introductory module.

Expand units below, to get an understanding of topics and objectives.

 

CHCADV001
CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist clients to identify their rights, voice their needs and concerns and realise their interests, rights and needs.

CHCCOM002
CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships

This unit describes the skills and knowledge to apply specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust.

CHCDFV001
CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the needs of clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence, including responding to immediate intervention and support needs.

CHCDIV001
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

CHCLEG001
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role.

CHCPRP001
CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify networking and collaboration needs and develop formal and informal partnerships to enhance service delivery and improve professional practice.

HLTWHS002
HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for a worker to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others in work environments that involve caring directly for clients. It has a focus on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members.

BSBCRT411
BSBCRT411 Apply critical thinking to work practices

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use advanced-level critical thinking skills in a workplace context. This includes using methods of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

CHCCCS004
CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs.

CHCCCS014
CHCCCS014 Provide brief interventions

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess intervention needs, and then to implement and monitor brief intervention strategies for people at various stages of the change process.

CHCDIV002
CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety.

CHCMGT005
CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and support workers. This includes implementing support processes to manage stress and emotional wellbeing of self or colleagues working in varied health and community service contexts. It also involves facilitating structured debriefing sessions to colleagues following incidents with the potential to impact on health and wellbeing.

CHCMHS001
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish relationships, clarify needs, and then work collaboratively with people who are living with mental health issues.

CHCPRP003
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development.

HLTAID011
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies.

 

Course requirements

There are no academic entry requirements for this Cert IV community services qualification. Students must be at least 18 years of age and should be aware that the course may explore sensitive topics related to addiction, mental health and emotional wellbeing.

This course is not available to International students.

The Swinburne Open modern online learning platform has been designed so that you can study online anywhere, anytime. You will need to meet the following IT requirements to use our platform for this Certificate IV course:

Desktop or laptop

  • Latest version of Chrome or Safari

  • Microsoft Office (2010 or higher)

  • Adobe PDF Reader

Mobile or tablet*

  • Latest version of Chrome or Safari

  • Latest version of Android

  • Latest version of iOS

* Students using a mobile or tablet will need to upload documents from a laptop or desktop or have a Dropbox account.

An assessment in HLTWHS002 requires students to conduct a role play by creating a simulated environment within their home. To replicate real-life scenarios and demonstrate the skills required within this unit, students are required to have the below equipment on hand.

  • Empty boxes

  • PPE & closed shoes

  • Safety signage

  • Hand soap

  • Biohazard clinical waste disposal bags

  • Cleaning equipment such as alcohol-based disinfectant, antibacterial wipes and disposable gloves.

 

Online study FAQs

We understand you need to fit study around your busy life. Our online learning platform is designed with this in mind, so you can study on any device, anywhere, anytime. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Read more FAQs

 

Swinburne Open Education is an online education provider and all courses are delivered digitally, allowing you to learn anywhere, anytime. 

Our learning platform is online native and can be accessed on any device. We’ve created a joyful experience with natively accessible information, alleviating the need to download presentations and allowing you to focus on learning the content rather than how to use our platform.

Online modules are broken down into topics and subtopics specific to the module. Each module contains a range of learning styles including written text, diagrams, instructional videos and formative activities that provide you with instant feedback and prepares you for summative assessments. 

Learning is supported by regular trainer-led online sessions. At the end of each module and prior to the sequential module, skills and knowledge are evaluated through summative assessments. Assessment consists of online quizzes, assignments and supervised tests. Through our learning platform you will:

  • Access your learning materials and assessments

  • Undertake and upload assessments

  • Engage and interact with your trainer

  • Participate in student forums and find a ‘study buddy’

  • Access your assessment grades and feedback

  • Access student support services.

More information about learning online with Swinburne Open Education can be found in our Student Handbook.

Support is offered via scheduled live Q&A sessions, all support sessions are recorded and made available for students to view in their own time. If a student has attended a live Q&A session and still needs additional support, a one on one video chat can be arranged with a trainer.

Self-paced learning gives you the flexibility to fit study around your life. We understand life doesn’t always go to plan. You can apply for extensions for up to 6 months (3 months per extension) if needed. See more details in our full FAQs.

If you are less than half way through your enrolment period and it’s not working out, you can opt-out of the second half and reduce your course fee liability to 50% of the total course fee. Refer to the Student Agreement for full terms and conditions.

 

 

Similar online courses from Swinburne Open Education

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) Online

Develop skills to work with clients with different conditions and needs, including dementia and autism spectrum disorder.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) Online

Gain the essential skills, knowledge and values to provide individual care to people with disabilities in residential, community, health care and NDIS settings.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) Online

Gain the essential skills and knowledge required to work as an aged care worker. Pursue meaningful work and make a difference in someone’s life.

 

ExplorED Articles

Read more
How To Get A Disability Support Job & Salary Guide Australia
Community Services

Want to know how to get a disability support job in Australia? This Swinburne Open Education job and salary guide has the info you need to land a role.

Read more
How To Get A Job In Aged Care In Australia & Salary Guide
Aged CareCommunity Services

Want to know how to get an aged care job in Australia? This Swinburne Open Education job and salary guide has the info you need to land a role.

 

Get in touch