Community Services and Case Management Qualifications
Nationally recognised training
Study community services and case management online with a nationally recognised qualification. Upskilled delivers the Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015), the Diploma of Community Services (CHC52025), the Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52025) and the Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015), all 100% online and self-paced with no exams, and with work placement support at Certificate III and Diploma level.
Certificate III, Diploma, or Case Management
The Certificate III in Community Services is designed to prepare you for supervised support work. The Diploma of Community Services is designed to prepare you for independent generalist practice. The Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) carries the same code and concentrates on coordinating services around a client and managing a caseload.
| Certificate III in Community Services | Diploma of Community Services | Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) | Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National code | CHC32015 | CHC52025 | CHC52025 | CHC62015 |
| AQF level | Certificate III | Diploma | Diploma | Advanced Diploma |
| Designed for | Supervised entry-level support work | Independent generalist community services practice | Assessing need, coordinating services, managing a caseload | Coordination, program and management roles |
| Typical duration | Up to 12 months, self-paced | 12 to 24 months, self-paced | 12 to 24 months, self-paced | Up to 24 months, self-paced |
| Entry requirements | None formal | None formal | None formal | Prior qualification or sector experience may apply |
| Work placement | Required | Required | Required | Not required |
| Pathway | Diploma of Community Services | Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management | Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management | Highest level offered by Upskilled |
Why study community and health with Upskilled
From short courses to bachelor's degrees, explore sectors across mental health, aged care, social work, and more.
Build the experience, knowledge, and skills you need through practical courses guided by qualified experts.
Access available government funding options to support your student journey.
Take part in role-playing activities that parallel common tasks in community services, keeping you "work-ready" for the job market.
Gain hands-on experience through industry work placements, helping enhance your readiness for the field.
Ditch the exam stress and opt for assessment methods that suit your learning style.
Join over 42,000 Aussies who have had success with Upskilled
I commenced my Diploma of Community services in 2024, and I was nervous to start as I had searched for many months for the right one that fit within my busy working schedule, and I am so happy that I chose Upskilled and was placed with Rosan as my program co-ordinator.
I had trainer support throughout my journey, and each person was easy to get ahold of, and if they had leave coming up, I was told in advance to avoid any confusion.
My assessor, Rosan gave promising, clear and encouraging feedback throughout, and was always there if I needed assistance. He was quick to mark my work, and let me know if I had missed anything - allowing me to rectify the issues, and find him for help and guidance.
I felt calm and motivated throughout, as I wasn't waiting for things to be marked or wondering what my results would be. Everything was clear and my assessor was transparent with me. It allowed me to not have to worry at all.
I was able to complete my course in 1 year, with the assistance and guidance of of Rosan and the team behind the scenes. This is going to allow me to excel in my role, and further my career development.
I cant say thank you enough for helping me, responding quickly and marking my work with efficiency. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Mr Rosan was very upfront and to the point from the start. Yet he showed interest in what he is hearing from my side, It was our first conversation and I immediately felt that I have known him for a long time and that to me shows his people's skills, I am starting study after a big gap in my first study and I felt a bit stressed before this session. I understand I have a long way to go but I also know I will be helped and supported.
Great content. Easily understood, and I am confident with what I have to do to be a counsellor, Ronnie you are amazing thanks for all your help you are so appreciated … I had a little trouble with some of the links but I was able to google so I didn’t miss any content thanks for a great Diploma
I had wonderful support from Rosan throughout the course time and he was always so responsive whenever I had a question/query. Rosan was great through the RPL process too. The feedback I received was really empowering and encouraging which gave me more motivation throughout the time. It kept me wanting to do more and learn more and really solidified why I am doing what I am doing. I really recommend Upskilled for those who are time poor due to their full time jobs and it really improves time management skills too. If I was to go back to studying, I would definitely do this through Upskilled again!
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Where a community services qualification can take you
Roles these qualifications are designed to prepare you for, depending on which one you complete and the experience you bring. Indicative advertised annual salary ranges in Australia:
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles and advertised salary data
Community services and case management qualification FAQs
Upskilled delivers four nationally recognised community services qualifications online: the Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015), the Diploma of Community Services (CHC52025), the Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52025) and the Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015). A Bachelor of Social Work delivered on campus by ACAP is also available through Upskilled.
Both are CHC52025 and both sit at AQF level 5, so the difference is the elective focus rather than the qualification itself. The Diploma of Community Services (CHC52025) is the generalist option, designed to prepare you for broad community services practice across a range of client groups. The Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52025) concentrates on assessing client need, coordinating services around a client and managing a caseload. Choose the case management stream if the work you want is coordinating support rather than delivering it directly.
Yes. The Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015), both CHC52025 Diplomas and the Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015) are nationally recognised training under the Australian Qualifications Framework, delivered by Upskilled, RTO 40374. The Bachelor of Social Work is a higher education degree delivered by ACAP, not by Upskilled, and it carries ACAP's own entry requirements and admission process.
In most cases yes. Community services and case management roles involve working with people in vulnerable circumstances, and employers and funded services usually ask for a nationally recognised qualification at Certificate III level or above, plus police and worker screening checks. Case management and coordination roles commonly ask for a Diploma. The Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015) is the entry point, and the Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52025) is the qualification aimed squarely at caseload work.
No. Social work in Australia is a degree-level occupation with its own professional requirements, and a vocational community services qualification is not a social work qualification. Completing any qualification on this page is not a licence, a registration or an authority to practise, and it does not confer membership of, or eligibility for, any professional association. Requirements for community services and case management roles are set by employers, funders and professional bodies and vary by role, employer and state, so check what the role you want asks for before you enrol.
Depending on what qualification you end up studying with Upskilled, there are a variety of career outcomes you can pursue that may be in line with your career goals. The community services sector has an extensive range of career opportunities available and it will depend on where your passion lies. At the end of the day, you'll have the opportunity to work in an industry where job satisfaction and career fulfilment is high.
The following are potential career pathways you can explore:
- Aged care worker
- Mental health worker
- Drug and alcohol support worker
- Disability support worker
If you're interested in a career in community services, here are some interesting facts and figures that can help you decide if this is the pathway for you.
- Most community services workers need a formal qualification, and generally go through Vocational and Education Training (VET).
- The future growth for employment opportunities in community services is very strong.
- The average weekly pay for community services workers is $1,328
The Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015) and both CHC52025 Diplomas carry a work placement requirement, and Upskilled's placement team supports you to find and confirm a host organisation. Placement means supervised hours in a real community services workplace, completed alongside the online study. The Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015) is a management qualification and does not carry the same placement requirement. Placement hours are set per qualification, so check the course page before you enrol.
The Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015) sits above the Diploma and is the highest level qualification Upskilled offers in this area, designed for people moving into coordination, program and management roles. The Bachelor of Social Work is a separate higher education degree delivered on campus by ACAP with its own admission process. Completing an Upskilled qualification does not earn credit or advanced standing toward that degree, so apply to ACAP directly and ask what it recognises.
Travis Hackett
Head of Vocational Education — CHC, Upskilled
Travis leads the CHC Community Services stream at Upskilled and brings more than 28 years of frontline and leadership experience across the sector. His career spans disability services, child protection casework with FaCS, youth services, harm minimisation programs with NSW Health, youth justice conferencing, and counselling. Travis is also a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with the Attorney-General's Department. He reviews Upskilled's CHC course content to ensure it reflects current sector practice and prepares students for meaningful, impactful work in Community Services roles.
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