Be the change you want to be in your community with a social justice career
Community services workers work with individuals, groups and communities to identify the social, emotional, psychological, practical and other supports people need to deal with life’s difficulties and challenges. They encourage and assist people to access those services and advocate social justice.
A growing ageing community and the National Disability Insurance Scheme implementation have caused skill shortages in the industry, where workers are offered flexible hours to deliver more person-centred care to combat mental health, drug and alcohol problems.
The industry needs diverse, authentic and passionate people ready to support others to reach their potential. Explore courses where you can have a powerful effect on the lives of individuals and on the way our society deals with social changes, challenges and issues.
Certificate III in Community Services
Become a youth worker, support worker, or family carer.
When you complete the Certificate III in Community Services you'll be on your way to a career as a youth worker, support worker, or family carer.
You will also gain an understanding of mental health, alcohol, drug, and domestic violence services.
The course availability at Bentley campus has been revamped and now offers students with greater flexibility.
It now offers:
- No classes held during school holidays
- Community project delivered within class hours
- Elective units offered are relevant to current industry and community practices
This entry-level course is ideal for students seeking employment in the community services (aged care and disability) sectors. The course also offers an ideal pathway into higher-level community services qualifications.
Want to find out more about this industry?
Students in community services benefit from sharing information about organisations, initiatives and leading expertise in our Community Services Facebook page.
Certificate IV in Community Services
Become an outreach officer, welfare support worker, or case worker.
A career in Community Services can change and impact lives by helping people that need it most. This course will give you job ready skills to be qualified for a role supporting the community as an outreach officer, welfare support worker or case worker.
The Community Services industry assists individual clients, families and entire communities who are vulnerable or at risk and is about improving the quality of life of people who need support. You will be able to utilise your skills to make a difference in areas such as family and youth work, child protection, counselling, alcohol/drugs, domestic violence and mental health.
Be guided by our expert team of professional lecturers as you learn how to build relationships with clients, carers and their families, assess social emotional and physical wellbeing of others and methods of providing individualised support, information and advice to people in crisis. You’ll need to have determination and drive for helping others as well as patience, tolerance, a positive attitude, ability to take initiative and at times, deal with conflict.
Qualified welfare support workers are in-demand and can work in a range of settings including government departments, local councils, hospitals, or non-government welfare agencies.
Take the first step into your rewarding career in Community Services.
Want to find out more about this industry?
Our Community services at SM TAFE Facebook page has more information for students about organisations, initiatives and leading expertise in the industry.
Good news!
This course is going to transition to a new training package in 2024. This means that students starting in 2023 will transfer during their study to new units developed to meet current and future industry needs.
Diploma of Community Services
Become a team leader, program coordinator, or case manager in the community services industry.
Do you want to make a real difference?
When you complete the Diploma of Community Services you'll be on your way to a team leading career as a program coordinator, early intervention worker, or case manager. Working in Community Services is diverse and includes identifying support needed, and assisting to resolve personal issues by assigning resources that meet clients' needs.
The actual units studied and the associated fees may vary depending on the campus you apply for.
Formalise your skills as an existing worker in community services
If you’re working in the community services industry, our Bentley workshop-style course will allow you to gain this qualification after hours at Bentley campus. Look for the part time study option below to apply.
Want to find out more about this industry?
Students in community services benefit from sharing information about organisations, initiatives and leading expertise in our Community Services Facebook page.
Community Services at SM TAFE Facebook page
Good news!
This course is going to transition to a new training package in 2024. This means that students starting in 2023 will transfer during their study to new units developed to meet current and future industry needs.
Diploma of Financial Counselling
Become a qualified financial counsellor
Make a difference to the lives of those suffering financial hardship with a range of specialist legal, financial and counselling skills.
Financial counsellors help people to manage their finances and understand credit and debt issues as well as their rights and obligations. To be able to operate in Australia as a financial counsellor, you must have this qualification.
SM TAFE is the only registered training organisation in WA to deliver this course face-to-face, allowing more people to utilise this important service while the WA economy recovers. It also provides a solid understanding of social and systemic issues that impact on financial counselling clients.
Many charitable organisations seek to employ people who can provide these specialist financial support services and those already working in the community services sector will also benefit from being able to provide financial counselling to help people regain control of their lives.
Want to find out more about this industry?
Students in community services benefit from sharing information about organisations, initiatives and leading expertise in our Community Services Facebook page.
Community Services at SM TAFE Facebook page
Good news!
This course is going to transition to a new training package in 2024. This means that students starting in 2023 will transfer during their study to new units developed to meet current and future industry needs.
Integrating Mental Health Practice Skill Set
Prepare for a career in mental health support with this skill set
Delivered at:
Gain the skills to prepare for a career helping others in need. You will learn to work effectively and appropriately with a diverse range of individuals and groups suffering mental health, drug and alcohol issues.
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Become a mental health support worker, or case worker. You will gain the knowledge and skills to communicate and work effectively in the mental health sector.
Do you have a strong interest in mental health and want to help others take steps to more fulfilling and positive lives?
Commence your career in community services with this nationally recognised qualification that will get you started in the sector. This course will train you in supporting those experiencing a range of mental health issues and begin your journey to working as a Mental Health Support Worker, Community Support Worker, or Case Worker.
You'll build a fundamental skillset for working in mental health, learning how to promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing, respond to critical situations and work collaboratively with carers. You'll grow knowledge of how to implement early intervention, work with those at risk of homelessness and suicide and support the recovery process for clients, helping them to reach personal goals.
With a growing need for qualified Mental Health Support Workers and expansion planned for this important area, your skills will be in-demand and job opportunities will be diverse; you could work for mental health organisations, community centres, respite care, rehabilitation services, clinical settings or specialist employment services, just to name a few.
Note: This course has a minimum age requirement of 25 years old to be eligible to enter the course, as we are unlikely to secure work placements for anyone under 25 years old.
Want to find out more about this industry?
Our Community Services at SM TAFE Facebook page has more information for students about organisations, initiatives and leading expertise in the industry.
Certificate IV in Youth Work
Do you have the drive to make a difference in the lives of young people and a passion for helping others? This course will give you job ready skills to become a youth worker and play a key role in developing and supporting children and teens in our community, leading to better and brighter futures.
Be guided by our team of expert lecturers who are professionals in the field with extensive industry experience. Learn how to connect with a young person in need and gain insight into the problems they are facing by facilitating programs that assess behavioural, developmental, welfare and protection issues. Build the skills to work with youth at risk and help with potential solutions by offering emotional support or practical support such as arranging food and shelter. You’ll also grow your communication skills to liaise with teachers, social workers and parents and refer clients to specialists that can help further with specific issues.
Youth Work can be a rewarding career where you will need patience, sensitivity and a resilient and strong character, due to the nature of the work. Your role will focus on keeping young people safe and assisting them to develop social and emotional skills to encourage positive change.
Youth workers are in high demand and can be employed by community, government and welfare agencies in settings where children may need help such as hospitals, schools, corrective institutions, youth refuges, community centres, or drug and alcohol centres.
Complete this course and take the first step to becoming a youth worker, youth support worker or case worker. You can make a lasting impact by helping our young people in need.
Study in specialised facilities
SM TAFE campuses have training settings which represent real-life workplace situations and environments, allowing students to develop practical skills for workforce readiness. This course requires you to undertake a work placement of approximately 120 hours where you’ll be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.
Good news!
This course is going to transition to a new training package in 2024. This means that students starting in 2023 will transfer during their study to new units developed to meet current and future industry needs.
Diploma of Youth Work
Reach for team leader roles in youth work with the Diploma of Youth Work. Develop and lead youth programs promoting social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Delivered at:
Do you want to build a career focusing on the welfare and wellbeing of our young people? This course gives you the job ready skills to become a youth worker and will help you work towards reaching supervisory, team leader and management level positions.
Adolescence can be a challenging and transitional time for young people and many may experience mental health and behavioural issues or disorders they need support with, whilst working out their identity on the journey into adulthood. Youth at risk or in crisis can need practical support such as food, shelter, safety, along with counselling to help them get on to a more positive path in their lives.
You’ll learn from our expert team of lecturers on how to be a role model and mentor to teenagers and children and respond to youth in crisis. You’ll gain the knowledge to assess problems that arise from behavioural, developmental, welfare and protection issues and develop and manage youth programs that address issues and provide ongoing support.
Youth workers are in high demand and can work at community, government and welfare agencies in settings such as hospitals, schools, corrective institutions, youth refuges, community centres, mental health organisations or drug and alcohol centres.
Want to find out more about this industry?
Our Community services at SM TAFE Facebook page has more information for students about organisations, initiatives and leading expertise in the industry.
Good news!
This course is going to transition to a new training package in 2024. This means that students starting in 2023 will transfer during their study to new units developed to meet current and future industry needs.