Courses
Bachelor of Community Services
CRICOS Code: 096281C
Intakes: 2020 July (All campuses)/September (Melbourne and Sydney campus places still available, Perth campus has no further places available)/October (All campuses)
Course Length: 3 years
Campus: Melbourne, Sydney and Perth
Study Mode: Full-time and Part-time (Local students), Full-time (International students)
International Students
Local Students
Downloads
Course Overview
The Bachelor of Community Services is a fully accredited Australian higher education degree. The course is designed to prepare you for ethical, competent, and culturally relevant community service generalist practice and to equip you with the skills you need for life-long learning and professional development. You will work at the interface between people and their environments, focusing on experiences of individuals, families, groups and communities. Some areas of service provision may include child welfare, hospice and palliative care, juvenile justice and corrections and advocacy.
You will be exposed to the theory and values base of human services practice, as well as the knowledge and necessary skills required to work as a professional at a managerial level in the community services sector. You will have the necessary foundation knowledge and skills in community services management to continue to a relevant post-graduate higher education program at a university or a private education provider.
Course Description
The Bachelor of Community Services course will be delivered through teacher-led classroom delivery in the form of lectures and tutorials. Most units require students to attend a two-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial. The course is conducted over Trimesters with three semesters in each academic year. The units are taught concurrently within the trimester, and the course will be completed within three years. The course has 24 units across eight trimesters offering units in Community Services, Counselling, Systems and Policy, Coordination and Support, Specialist Skills, and Fieldwork.
The course also requires you to complete two separate work placements in a community welfare agency, a total of 400 hours (combined). These placements are designed to meet the requirements of the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
Course Structure
To be eligible for the Bachelor of Community Services, you are required to acquire 24 units (360 credit points) as prescribed in Units below.
You will study 3 units per trimester, with most units comprising of two hours (lecture) and 1 hour (tutorial) per week. You will also undertake 7 hours of personal study per unit per week. The number of days per week depends on your timetable and it would be 2-3 days (and potentially evening classes in some campuses).
For your placement units (FLD202 and FLD304), your placement hours will be negotiated together with your placement agency and Stott’s College’s placement team, in line with ACWA requirements.
Units
Core
Introductory Community Services (INT)
INT101 Introduction to Community Services
INT102 Interpersonal Communication Skills
INT103 Human Development Across the Lifespan
INT204 Introduction to Management in Community Services
Counselling (COU)
COU101 Theories in Counselling
COU202 Counselling Practice
COU303 Supervision and Debriefing
Systems and Policy (SAP)
SAP101 Australia Society, Systems and Policies
SAP102 Welfare Systems and Services in Australia
SAP103 Introduction to Welfare Law
SAP203 Developing Social Policy
SAP304 Social Research Methods
Coordination and Support (CAS)
CAS101 Community Development
CAS102 Group Work
CAS203 Principles of Case Management
CAS204 Managing Multiculturalism and Diversity
Specialist Skills (SPS)
SPS201 Alcohol and Other Drugs
SPS202 Working with Young People and their Families
SPS303 Family and Domestic Violence
SPS304 Mental Health and the Community
Fieldwork (FLD)
FLD201 Ethics and Professional Practice
FLD202 Fieldwork 1
FLD303 Transition to Professional Practice
FLD304 Fieldwork 2
Fieldwork Placement
Stott’s College is fully committed to the ideals and goals of the community work profession and to preparing our students for a successful entry into the workforce. When you undertake work-based training and assessment in our Community Services courses, you are participating in what is known as ‘Fieldwork Placement.’ This is a structured educational program that is a requirement of your course as well as of the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), the professional accrediting body.
Placements provide you with unique opportunities to:
- Develop your competencies by linking theory with current practice
- Experience a real workplace environment in community services, such as in community development, disability, youth work, children and family services, mental health, casework, and multicultural services
- Learn about industry trends, practices, and career options
- Build your professional network and resume
- Explore job prospects at your host agency
At Stott’s College, we understand the importance of maximising your learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. This is why we provide significant support and guidance before, during, and after your placements. We offer students preparation seminars, individual appointments to find you a good agency match, interview coaching and resume writing assistance, an allocated Liaison Officer while you’re on placement, debriefing, and placement materials.
Fieldwork placements are a valuable component of our Community Services courses, and we work with all our students and host agencies to provide them with a mutually beneficial and rewarding placement experience.
Requirements
FOR ENTRY INTO FIRST YEAR
Completed Year 12 or equivalent. The minimum age is 18 years old.
International students must also demonstrate that they have English language ability equivalent to IELTS 6.0 (Academic).
Competency to IELTS 6.0 means that the student has documentary evidence of having completed an IELTS exam at an official IELTS testing centre or an equivalent recognised English language test, within the previous twelve months of the student’s proposed start date for the Bachelor programs and that the student was given an overall score of 6 with no single band lower than 5.5 (see policy – Higher Education International Student Admission).
Applying for Credit Transfer:
If you have completed prior tertiary studies, you may be eligible for some credit exemptions. For further information, please refer to our Awarding of Credit Policy.
Professional Recognition and Accreditation
In choosing to study the Bachelor of Community Services course at Stott’s College, you are giving yourself an advantage to break into the community service industry. The course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), which means that it has been reviewed and approved by the national professional body to meet the educational and practice standards required for community work practitioners. This reaffirms Stott’s College’s commitment to delivering a quality program that will produce graduates who can practice competently and ethically in various areas in community services. To this end, Stott’s College regularly consults with ACWA to ensure that the course upholds the values of the profession and responds to the current trends and expectations in the sector. This is reflected across various components of the course, from employing qualified and experienced educators to partnering with relevant welfare organisations for our fieldwork placement program. Upon completion of the course, you are eligible for ACWA membership and can enter the workforce with confidence and skill.
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, you are eligible for the Australian Community Workers’ Association full membership. For more information, please visit the ACWA website.
Occupational titles for graduates with this qualification may include:
• Welfare Centre Manager
• Program Coordinator
• Community Worker
• Counsellor
• Case Manager
• Youth Worker
• Juvenile Justice Officer
• Child and Family Practitioner
• Community Development Worker
• Community Health Worker
This Careers link explores the relevant career options for the Diploma and Bachelor of Community Services. Note, the 3rd ring equals a diploma level qualification and the 4th ring equals a Bachelor qualification. For more information regarding your potential career outcomes please contact one of our experienced course advisors.
Training Levels and Requirements
| Level 1:
Usually has a skill level equal to the completion of Year 10, a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, Certificate I or II. Australian Apprenticeships may be offered at this level. Level 2: Usually has a skill level equal to a Certificate III or IV, or at least three years relevant experience. Australian Apprenticeships may be offered at this level. Level 3: Usually requires a level of skill equal to a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Study is often undertaken through TAFEs or Registered Training Organisations. Some universities offer studies at this level. |
Level 4:
Usually requires a level of skill equal to a Bachelor Degree or higher qualification. Study is often undertaken at a university. Information: This chart shows a selection of occupations that have some relation to the learning area you have selected. The four education and training levels are to be used as a guide only. These levels indicate the most common education and/or entry requirements for these jobs. The title of an occupation viewed may differ to the title of the occupation selected. This is a result of a new data source for occupational information. |
(Reference: Education Services Australia Limited website)
Dates
Fees
Full fee for 2020 – $7,050 per trimester (3 units) * $2,350 per unit
Administration fee – $200
View fee list here.
How to Apply:
Downloads
Course Overview
The Bachelor of Community Services is a fully accredited Australian higher education degree. The course is designed to prepare you for ethical, competent, and culturally relevant community service generalist practice and to equip you with the skills you need for life-long learning and professional development. You will work at the interface between people and their environments, focusing on experiences of individuals, families, groups and communities. Some areas of service provision may include child welfare, hospice and palliative care, juvenile justice and corrections and advocacy.
You will be exposed to the theory and values base of human services practice, as well as the knowledge and necessary skills required to work as a professional at a managerial level in the community services sector. You will have the necessary foundation knowledge and skills in community services management to continue to a relevant post-graduate higher education program at a university or a private education provider.
Course Description
The Bachelor of Community Services course will be delivered through teacher-led classroom delivery in the form of lectures and tutorials. Most units require students to attend a two-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial. The course is conducted over Trimesters with three semesters in each academic year. The units are taught concurrently within the trimester, and the course will be completed within three years. The course has 24 units across eight trimesters offering units in Community Services, Counselling, Systems and Policy, Coordination and Support, Specialist Skills, and Fieldwork.
The course also requires you to complete two separate work placements in a community welfare agency, a total of 400 hours (combined). These placements are designed to meet the requirements of the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
Course Structure
To be eligible for the Bachelor of Community Services, you are required to acquire 24 units (360 credit points) as prescribed in Units below.
You will study 3 units per trimester, with most units comprising of two hours (lecture) and 1 hour (tutorial) per week. You will also undertake 7 hours of personal study per unit per week. The number of days per week depends on your timetable and it would be 2-3 days (and potentially evening classes in some campuses).
For your placement units (FLD202 and FLD304), your placement hours will be negotiated together with your placement agency and Stott’s College’s placement team, in line with ACWA requirements.
Units
Core
Introductory Community Services (INT)
INT101 Introduction to Community Services
INT102 Interpersonal Communication Skills
INT103 Human Development Across the Lifespan
INT204 Introduction to Management in Community Services
Counselling (COU)
COU101 Theories in Counselling
COU202 Counselling Practice
COU303 Supervision and Debriefing
Systems and Policy (SAP)
SAP101 Australia Society, Systems and Policies
SAP102 Welfare Systems and Services in Australia
SAP103 Introduction to Welfare Law
SAP203 Developing Social Policy
SAP304 Social Research Methods
Coordination and Support (CAS)
CAS101 Community Development
CAS102 Group Work
CAS203 Principles of Case Management
CAS204 Managing Multiculturalism and Diversity
Specialist Skills (SPS)
SPS201 Alcohol and Other Drugs
SPS202 Working with Young People and their Families
SPS303 Family and Domestic Violence
SPS304 Mental Health and the Community
Fieldwork (FLD)
FLD201 Ethics and Professional Practice
FLD202 Fieldwork 1
FLD303 Transition to Professional Practice
FLD304 Fieldwork 2
Fieldwork Placement
Stott’s College is fully committed to the ideals and goals of the community work profession and to preparing our students for a successful entry into the workforce. When you undertake work-based training and assessment in our Community Services courses, you are participating in what is known as ‘Fieldwork Placement.’ This is a structured educational program that is a requirement of your course as well as of the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), the professional accrediting body.
Placements provide you with unique opportunities to:
- Develop your competencies by linking theory with current practice
- Experience a real workplace environment in community services, such as in community development, disability, youth work, children and family services, mental health, casework, and multicultural services
- Learn about industry trends, practices, and career options
- Build your professional network and resume
- Explore job prospects at your host agency
At Stott’s College, we understand the importance of maximising your learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. This is why we provide significant support and guidance before, during, and after your placements. We offer students preparation seminars, individual appointments to find you a good agency match, interview coaching and resume writing assistance, an allocated Liaison Officer while you’re on placement, debriefing, and placement materials.
Fieldwork placements are a valuable component of our Community Services courses, and we work with all our students and host agencies to provide them with a mutually beneficial and rewarding placement experience.
Requirements
1. Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 3 years)
Applicants who have recently completed their secondary education and meet the following criteria can apply for entry into this program.
Admission Criteria
Evidence of successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education to Year 12 or equivalent*, including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English and an ATAR of 68.
*This includes all Commonwealth, State and Territory final year secondary school certificates of education as well as an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Students who have completed their secondary education overseas, which are equivalent to an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, will be assessed for their suitability for the program on a case-by-case basis.
Special admission program*
Our special admission program covers a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration.
2. Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET/TAFE) Study
Applicants with previous VET study who meet the following criteria can apply for entry into this program.
Admission Criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in any discipline.
OR:
Full completion of a Certificate IV in a related discipline.
Special admission program*
Our special admission program covers a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration.
Applying for Credit Transfer
If you have completed prior tertiary studies, you may be eligible for some credit exemptions. For further information, please refer to our Awarding of Credit Policy.
3. Applicants with Higher Education Study
Applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course and who meet the following criteria can apply for entry into this program.
Admission Criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course, for example, Foundation course or equivalent.
Special admission program*
Our special admission program covers a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration.
Applying for Credit Transfer
If you have completed prior tertiary studies, you may be eligible for some credit exemptions. For further information, please refer to our Awarding of Credit Policy.
4. Applicants with Work & Life Experience
Applicants who have left secondary school more than three years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then can also apply for entry based on other evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent, for example relevant work or life experience.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Community Services or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
Special admission program*
Our special admission program covers a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration.
Applying for Credit Transfer
If you have completed prior tertiary studies, you may be eligible for some credit exemptions. For further information, please refer to our Awarding of Credit Policy.
*Special Admission
Applicants who fall under the following categories can discuss their admission and course options with the admission team prior to applying. Each application will be assessed on its merits and the applicant’s capacity to successfully complete the course will be carefully considered in this assessment. The categories include, recognition as an Indigenous Australian, applicants whose school or home location is in rural or isolated areas, applicants with non-English speaking background, applicants with difficult living circumstances that have impacted their preparation for post-secondary study, applicants with disadvantaged financial background and applicants with disability or medical condition affecting their education.
Professional Recognition and Accreditation
In choosing to study the Bachelor of Community Services course at Stott’s College, you are giving yourself an advantage to break into the community service industry. The course is accredited by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), which means that it has been reviewed and approved by the national professional body to meet the educational and practice standards required for community work practitioners. This reaffirms Stott’s College’s commitment to delivering a quality program that will produce graduates who can practice competently and ethically in various areas in community services. To this end, Stott’s College regularly consults with ACWA to ensure that the course upholds the values of the profession and responds to the current trends and expectations in the sector. This is reflected across various components of the course, from employing qualified and experienced educators to partnering with relevant welfare organisations for our fieldwork placement program. Upon completion of the course, you are eligible for ACWA membership and can enter the workforce with confidence and skill.
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, you are eligible the Australian Community Workers’ Association full membership. For more information, please visit the ACWA website.
Occupational titles for graduates with this qualification may include:
• Welfare Centre Manager
• Program Coordinator
• Community Worker
• Counsellor
• Case Manager
• Youth Worker
• Juvenile Justice Officer
• Child and Family Practitioner
• Community Development Worker
• Community Health Worker
This Careers link explores the relevant career options for the Diploma and Bachelor of Community Services. Note, the 3rd ring equals a diploma level qualification and the 4th ring equals a Bachelor qualification. For more information regarding your potential career outcomes please contact one of our experienced course advisors.
Training Levels and Requirements
| Level 1:
Usually has a skill level equal to the completion of Year 10, a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, Certificate I or II. Australian Apprenticeships may be offered at this level. Level 2: Usually has a skill level equal to a Certificate III or IV, or at least three years relevant experience. Australian Apprenticeships may be offered at this level. Level 3: Usually requires a level of skill equal to a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Study is often undertaken through TAFEs or Registered Training Organisations. Some universities offer studies at this level. |
Level 4:
Usually requires a level of skill equal to a Bachelor Degree or higher qualification. Study is often undertaken at a university. Information: This chart shows a selection of occupations that have some relation to the learning area you have selected. The four education and training levels are to be used as a guide only. These levels indicate the most common education and/or entry requirements for these jobs. The title of an occupation viewed may differ to the title of the occupation selected. This is a result of a new data source for occupational information. |
(Reference: Education Services Australia Limited website)
Dates
Fees
Tuition fee (2020):$2,000 per unit
Administration fee: $200
Click here to view 2020 subject fee schedule.
FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme available to eligible full fee paying higher education local students, which assists with the payment of part or all of their student contribution.
The Australian government has temporarily suspended the 25% loan fee up until 30 June 2021.
Please click here to view more information.