Home > Courses > Community Services > Certificate III in Community Services > Certificate III in Community Services
CHC32015

Certificate III in Community Services

Study Method Blended
Provider Open Colleges School of Health
Start Date Enrol anytime
Open Colleges School of Health

Make a difference in your community!

Join our Certificate III in Community Services – November intake now open in South Australia!

South Australia now offers online learning with hands-on workshops for practical experience.
Funding options available – No upfront fees!

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You could pay as little as $370 to study a Nationally Recognised Qualification – all with the flexibility and convenience of studying online.

Talk to us today!

Course overview

The Certificate III in Community Services is designed to prepare you for a meaningful career supporting individuals and communities in need. This course builds your knowledge and practical skills to assist in delivering essential services in a range of community-focused settings.

With a strong focus on person-centred care, social inclusion, and cultural sensitivity, you’ll learn how to provide support that empowers individuals, fosters wellbeing, and strengthens community connections.

Training includes a blend of self-paced online study, interactive on-campus workshops, and a structured industry placement to ensure you’re confident and job- ready to enter this vital and growing sector.

Who's It For?

  • This course is designed for individuals who are passionate about supporting others and contributing to the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities

Job outcomes

  • Community Services Worker

  • Support Worker (Community or Residential)

  • Youth Support Worker

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

Study method

  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online

Locations

  • South Australia
    • Adelaide

Duration study load

Kickstart your healthcare career with a flexible and supportive study model designed to fit around your life.

  • 27 weeks total – including Practical Experience Placement and holiday breaks

  • Virtual classroom convenience – attend two three-hour sessions per week. Sessions available during the day or in the evening

  • Self-paced learning – 10–20 hours of independent study each week, supported by online learning materials and activities

  • Hands-on skills – build confidence through two one-week intensive face-to-face workshops

  • Real-world experience – complete a 120-hour (3 week) placement at one of our trusted partner host facilities

Delivery

  • This course is delivered through a blended model that combines flexibility, trainer support, and hands-on practical experience.

  • Students participate in two (2) virtual classroom sessions per week, where they engage in live facilitated education with their trainer and peers. Learning is further supported by self-paced study and interactive activities to reinforce key skills and knowledge.

  • To develop practical, work-ready skills, students also attend two (2) one-week intensive on-campus sessions at designated points throughout the course. These sessions focus on building confidence and competence through simulated, hands-on learning experiences in our training labs.

  • This delivery approach allows students to balance study with other commitments while gaining the knowledge, confidence, and experience needed to succeed in community services roles.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for the CHC32015 CIII in Community Services course at School of Health are as follows.

You will need to:

  • Be 16 years of age or over (not currently enrolled in school) AND

  • Be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or have a permanent humanitarian visa or certain temporary visas with study rights AND

  • Reside in South Australia or Western Australia AND

  • Complete a Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) assessment AND

  • Be able to provide an unencumbered National Police Clearance

  • Be physically fit to meet the demands of manual handling skills, course mandatory requirements and for future employment

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Course features

  • Learn from trainers with deep experience in community support and social services
  • Study flexibly through a combination of online learning and on-campus workshops
  • Gain valuable hands-on experience during a minimum 120-hour practical placement
  • Build skills to work with individuals facing a range of social and personal challenges
  • Graduate with the confidence to support clients with empathy, respect, and integrity
  • Create a pathway to further study in case management, mental health, or youth work

If you’re driven to help others and make a real impact, the Certificate III in Community Services is your first step toward a purposeful career in the community services sector.

Work placement

As part of the course, you’ll complete a compulsory Professional Experience Placement (PEP) with one of our partnered community service providers. This placement is an essential part of your training, giving you the chance to put your learning into practice in real-world settings.

Under the guidance of experienced professionals, you’ll gain valuable, hands-on experience supporting individuals and communities—building your confidence, developing your practical skills, and preparing you for a rewarding role in the sector.

Our placement team will assist in coordinating your placement to ensure you are well-prepared and supported every step of the way.

During your mandatory PEP, you will be rostered according to standard industry Shifts that are beneficial to the Placement Provider and can be easily supervised.

The following shifts are provided as examples only as shift times may vary between organisations, providers, and facilities:

  • Morning 7:00am to 3:30pm OR 6:30am to 2:00pm
  • Afternoon 1:00pm to 9:30pm OR 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Placement prerequisites:

  • A clear and unencumbered National Police certificate (refer to Workplace Clearances/ Checks in your Course Guide)
  • NDIS Workers Clearance (refer to Workplace Clearances/ Checks in your Course Guide)
  • Evidence of your seasonal Influenza (flu) and COVID 19 vaccinations (refer to Workplace Clearances/ Checks in your Course Guide)
  • Current HLTAID011 Provide first aid and current HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Statement of Attainment (refer to First Aid Requirements in you Course Guide)
  • A Certificate of Completion for the Manual Handling Workshop as per your course timetable OR a Statement of Attainment for HLTWHS005 Conduct manual tasks safely (refer to Manual Handling Requirements in your Course Guide)
  • Evidence of satisfactory completion of NDIS New Worker Orientation online learning
  • Evidence of satisfactory completion of Do Food Safely online learning
  • Evidence of satisfactory completion of National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) online learning modules:
    • Basics of infection control in aged care
    • Hand hygiene hand dermatitis online module

Recognition of prior learning

  • We offer all students the opportunity to apply for RPL. It is important to note that RPL is not guaranteed, and you will need to provide sufficient evidence to be assessed against the current competency(ies) listed in the CIII in Individual Support course
  • You can apply for RPL at any time during the course of study; however, this needs to be undertaken before commencing the unit(s) of competency for which you are applying for RPL

Assessment

  • Case studies
  • Knowledge tests
  • Oral assessments
  • Practical skills assessments
  • Role plays
  • Third party evidence
  • Written assessments

Intakes

South Australia

  • November Intake – November 2025 – enrolment cut-off 3rd of November (Monday and Tuesday virtual online class attendance)

Western Australia

  • Taking expressions of interest for our February 2026 intake.

Subjects

Course Units
CHCCOM005Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001Work with diverse people
HLTWHS002Follow safe work practices for direct client care
HLTWHS006Manage personal stressors in the work environment
CHCCS016Respond to client needs
CHCADV001Facilitate the interest and rights of clients
CHCCDE003Work within a community development framework
CHCAOD001Work in alcohol or other drugs context
CHCCCS023Support independent wellbeing
CHCCOM001Provide first point of contact
CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve on professional practice
CHCMHS001Work with people with mental health issues

Want more information about the subjects for this course?

Payment options

The following payment options are available for this course:

  • Self-funding

  • *State-based subsidised training:

    • Subsidised Fee: $370

    • Consession Fee: $185

      *Supported by the Government of South Australia – visit Skills SA for Participant Eligibility Criteria  

Further information on tuition fees and subsidised training are available upon enquiry with the School (eligibility criteria apply).

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Open Colleges School of Health

Established in 2001, the School of Health has been committed to developing skilled and compassionate enrolled nurses and individual support care workers. With a strong focus on practical, hands-on training, our graduates are highly regarded and in demand across the industry. At our state-of-the-art campuses, students learn from experienced nurses and clinical specialists, gaining the expertise and confidence needed to excel in real-world healthcare settings.

Our nationally recognised courses in health and community care combine online and on-campus study with practical training though industry placements. These blended courses provide you with the flexibility of online study, while also allowing you to build your knowledge, confidence and hands-on skills to deliver exceptional care to patients and clients.

Currently, we offer blended learning at our South Australia and Western Australia campuses.

YourLife Health & Learning Inc t/a School of Health is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Number: 40049)

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