Education and Community Services

Do you have a caring nature and want to build your career in an area that makes an important daily difference? 

Combine your talents with your values and get qualified to work in the aged care industry; you'll make a lasting impact on the lives of seniors by providing personal, physical and emotional support to our elderly generation and assisting with their daily living tasks.

Jobs and Skills WA reports that Australia has one of the leading aged care systems in the world, and aged care as well as disability support are the second highest employing occupations.

This course will equip you with in-demand skills to boost your employability in a growing sector where there is a strong need for qualified aged care workers. Build on your current knowledge and take the next step to gain a specialised skill set for provision of aged care, whilst building a deeper understanding of how to empower senior clients as well as the issues concerning older people. 

Learn how to assess the needs of seniors with complex circumstances and provide support to people with dementia, be trained in a palliative approach to care and develop skills in implementing programs for seniors to enrich their lives.

This course requires you to undertake a work placement of approximately 150 hours where you’ll be able to gain practical, real-world experience for workforce readiness and apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.

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.

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.

Community Services at SM TAFE Facebook page

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.

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.

Study a qualification that open doors to a range of job opportunities in the direct care industry, whilst giving back to the community. This formal qualification provides the skills and knowledge to empower people with disability to achieve greater levels of independence.

This qualification builds on the skills and knowledge you would have gained in Certificate III in Individual Support or Certificate III in Disability.

Want to find out more about this industry?

Students in community services benefit from sharing information about organisations, initiatives and leading expertise on our Community Services Facebook page.

Community Services at SM TAFE Facebook page

Early Childhood Education and Care is an expanding sector for those with a passion for the care and education of young children up to the age of 5 years. The sector is demanding higher qualifications and training from educators to ensure consistently high standards of education and care for children placed in these services. This can be achieved by completing the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

You'll learn how to interact and foster the development of the children while working within legal requirements and ensuring the children's health and safety are not at risk. 

As part of this qualification you will undertake a work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.

You will work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them in various child care situations.

90% of surveyed students were highly satisfied with this course.

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care covers educators in children's services (early childhood) who are responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services, in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements. At this level educators have responsibility for supervision of other staff and volunteers. In most states it is the highest qualification required at director or service manager level for children's service centre based care and education.

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.

Do you want to build a meaningful career caring for our aged members of the community, assisting to enrich quality of life and making a real positive impact in your role on a daily basis?

This course is an entry-level qualification that will make you job ready to become an aged care assistant or care support worker, equipping you with a skillset to provide a high standard of support to older people and those living with dementia by providing personalised assistance in aged care, residential and community care settings.

Join the community services industry and open yourself up to strong job opportunities in the ever-expanding aged care workforce, where qualified care assistants are highly in demand.

Study in specialised facilities

SM TAFE campuses have training facilities which simulate real-life workplace settings and students can gain hands-on practice developing skills to be workforce ready, using industry specific equipment and following safe work practices. Our Rockingham campus(opens in a new tab) has a state-of-the art purpose-built learning facility for disability home care and aged care, with dedicated areas that emulate rooms in a modified residence or aged care facility.

Support people that need it the most in a career as an aged care assistant. 

Start your caring career in this course with a variety of foundational skills you can use to take advantage of jobs in-demand across the spectrum of care industries. This course combines the most common skills in need across the three specialist streams in providing in-demand home, institution and community support services and also helps you to develop relationships with a wide range of people, including care organisations, carers and families.   

Study in specialised facilities

SM TAFE campuses have training facilities which simulate real-life workplace settings and students can gain hands-on practice developing skills to be workforce ready, using industry specific equipment and following safe work practices. Our Rockingham campus has a state-of-the art purpose-built learning facility for disability home care and aged care, with dedicated areas that emulate rooms in a modified residence or aged care facility.

Gain specialist skills and be guided from our passionate team of experienced lecturers on how to provide physical and emotional support to people whilst enabling them to maintain independence. Learn how to assist with daily living tasks such as cooking and transport, and provide company and companionship to your client through daily interactions which boost their overall wellbeing.

Build your methods of communicating effectively with a range of diverse groups including families and co-workers, and you’ll also develop some strong one-on-one relationships with the people you are caring for who have had a lifetime of experience and knowledge to share, which can bring job satisfaction as you work regularly together.

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

Do you have a passion for helping people and want to build a career around the commitment of supporting people with disability? This course will give you job ready skills to become a professional disability care worker.

This is your chance to make a real difference in your role, supporting and empowering people with disability to reach their full potential and become more independent, whilst improving overall quality of life of your clients through your working relationship and supporting their participation in the community.

Study in specialised facilities

SM TAFE campuses have training facilities which simulate real-life workplace settings and students can gain hands-on practice developing skills to be workforce ready, using industry specific equipment and following safe work practices. Our Rockingham campus has a state-of-the art purpose-built learning facility for disability home care and aged care, with dedicated areas that emulate rooms in a modified residence or aged care facility.

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.

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.

Do you have a career dream to work in Education Services, helping children to reach their fullest potential and making a daily difference in the lives of others?

This course will get you job ready to become an Education Assistant or Teacher's Aide in a kindergarten, pre-primary, primary or secondary school, working with children from kindergarten to Year 12.

 You will learn how to provide support to the qualified teacher in the classroom and be trained in how to assist students in their learning and development, including students with special needs. 
Be guided by our team of lecturers who are highly experienced in the field, as you learn how to implement planned education programs for children and provide one-on-one student support in English, reading and maths. You will develop skills in assisting students with special needs and be trained in working effectively with a range of culturally diverse groups, including students, colleagues and parents. You'll also learn to understand the cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 

Education Assistants play a crucial role in the classroom and your skills will be in-demand, setting you up for a rewarding long-term career helping children learn lifelong skills and grow their independence, whilst positively impacting and shaping the next generation. 

You have the opportunity to complete the Certificate III in School Based Education Support either full-time, on campus over 6 months, part-time online or on-campus, or part-time on campus over 12 months. The online delivery will be done via Collaborate Sessions (on Blackboard), which are live classes run online with a lecturer taking you through the training. Some on-campus practical components will be required for online students including meetings with your lecturer.

PLEASE NOTE – students wishing to study online must be working within the school sector to be eligible.

Other job titles may include:

•    Integration Aide
•    Preschool Aide
•    Kindergarten Assistant
•    School Services Officer

Study in specialist facilities:

Learn in our dedicated purpose-built facilities which simulate a real-life classroom learning environment and help you develop hands-on practical skills for workforce readiness.

This course requires you to undertake a work placement of approximately 100 hours per semester enrolment where you’ll be able to apply and grow the knowledge you have learned.

Engage your passion for working with school students and supporting their individual needs.

Do you have a passion for working with children and supporting students with additional needs and disabilities? This course will provide you with a customised program in learning support to prepare you for roles such as an education assistant working in a school. You will learn to provide support to a classroom teacher and facilitate learning for students from kindergarten to Year 12.

Are you passionate about sharing knowledge and training others?

When you complete the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment you will be ready to start a rewarding career as a vocational trainer, assessor, or lecturer, either in the private or public sector.

The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is an essential requirement for anyone wishing to deliver vocational education and training for a registered training organisation in Australia.

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.

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.