Education and Community Services

Take the next step in your aged care career

Study a qualification that open doors to a range of job opportunities in the aged care industry, whilst giving back to the community.

This qualification builds on the skills and knowledge you would have gained in Certificate III in Individual Support or Certificate III in Aged Care. The units of study are more demanding and provide a deeper understanding of the issues concerning aged clients and service provision for this target group. Graduates will be able to enter the workforce as direct service providers in an agency that provides services to seniors.

Gain these skills:

• Plan, develop, implement and monitor programs and services for seniors
• Assess the needs of older people with complex circumstances
• Plan and conduct group and recreation programs for seniors
• Monitor services, implement and monitor health and safety policies and procedures and organise an effective work environment

Mandatory vaccination requirements

The Commonwealth Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health have advised that it will be mandatory for residential aged care workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination from 17 September 2021, this includes students undertaking work placements. 

You do not need to supply any vaccination evidence as part of your course application or enrolment.

Mandatory vaccinations

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

Get ready for an aged care career

Take advantage of skills shortages for new workers and for upskilling current workers in providing support for seniors and people with disabilities in an era of COVID-19.

To meet the State’s requirements associated with COVID-19 in the aged care and disability service sectors, as identified by employers and industry stakeholders, there is an urgent need to build skills in infection control. 

Three units have been hand-picked from the pre-traineeship qualification to give fast opportunities for job-seekers and current workers to apply real-world skills.

Do you suit the industry?

Successful graduates in aged care are able to use communication, teamwork, problem solving, initiative and planning skills to care for the needs of others. Some physical ability will be required to use equipment, carry loads, work on your feet and deal with bodily fluids. Find out more in our Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community)  Informed Choices brochure. (316 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)   

Study that leads to strong employment opportunities

This course is designed to introduce new workers to the aged care industry. We highly recommend further study to take advantage of high growth skills demand at the Certificate III level and beyond. All Certificate II and Certificate III qualifications in this study pathway attract government subsidy for tuition fees due to the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative.

See our further study tab below to explore the study pathway courses and find out more about where this skill set could take you.   
   

Course dates

Mandurah campus

• Future dates are to be announced

Rockingham campus

• Future dates are to be announced

Requirements of the course

This course includes both online study and on-campus assessment.

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Once enrolled, you will receive information about how to login to our eCampus and you will need to complete a literacy and numeracy quiz to show you can study the course online. Your study will involve accessing content online for 5 study modules, followed by a series of online quiz assessments to test your knowledge.

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When you finish your online study, there is one day a week attendance for the duration of the course at campus for the remaining modules, plus a compulsory requirement to attend a practical demonstration and assessment session.

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 This course can help you get ready for your first job, or re-skill quickly for jobs that are available as WA's economy recovers. This course is absolutely free for anyone to study. Find out more. 

Do you want to make a difference for communities?

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.

Gain these skills:

• communicate and work effectively 
• gather and provide information
• advocacy and community development
• ethical behaviour 
• legal responsibilities

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:

• Family friendly hours of delivery (i.e. course runs within school hours)
• 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

Do you want to make a difference for communities?

Be there for people that need it the most! When you complete the Certificate IV in Community Services Work you'll have the skills needed to support all people in the community, as an outreach officer, welfare support worker, or case worker.

Gain these skills:

• Communicate and work effectively in the community services sector
• Promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
• Respond to critical situations including children at risk
• Assist collective action
• Work with cultural diversity
• Ethical behaviour and legal responsibilities

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 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. 

Gain these skills:

• develop and manage community programs
• promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
• respond to critical situations
• manage service delivery
• develop policy and research
• coordinate volunteers
• develop and maintain professional networks
• work with cultural diversity
• ethical behaviour 
• legal responsibilities

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

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.

Gain these skills:

• Working effectively in the direct care industry and caring for people with disability
• Enabling clients to maintain independence
• Safety procedures and ethical behaviour
• Infection control practices
• Working with cultural diversity
• Workplace health and safety
• Using augmentative and alternative communication strategies

Vaccination requirements

The Commonwealth Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health have advised that it will be mandatory for residential aged care workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination from 17 September 2021, this includes students undertaking work placements. 

Students undertaking this course must have a flu vaccination (no more than one year old) to be eligible to go out on compulsory work placement. 2 COVID vaccinations are strongly recommended.

You do not need to supply any vaccination evidence as part of your course application or enrolment.

Vaccination requirements

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

Is this the right course for you?

Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.

See the Core Skills required

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.

Gain these skills

• Learn to interact and foster the development of young children
• Work within legal requirements
• Ensure children's health and safety is prioritised
• Work with children of different backgrounds and cultures
• Provide support to children in different child care environments
• Undertake work placement to apply the practical skills and knowledge you have learned

Students are required to obtain a Working with Children Check before attending work placement.

Is this the right course for you?

Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.

See the core skills required

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.

Gain these skills

• lead a team in an Education and Care Service,
• provide care and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various care settings
• ethical work practices and legal requirements of the industry
• advanced skills in care routines
• working with families 
• observing and recording children's behaviour
• working with culturally diverse clients
• managing safety in the workplace
• work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures
• provide care and support for children in various child care situations

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

Students are required to obtain a Working with Children Check before attending work placement.

Gain these skills:

• implement planned education programs
• assist students in their learning and development
• contribute to the safety and health of students
• support students with additional needs
• work effectively with culturally diverse students and colleagues

Students are required to obtain a Working with Children Check and a Department of Education Police Clearance. Students under the age of 18 will be required to complete the WA Department of Education Confidential Declaration Form.

Is this the right course for you?

Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.

See the core skills required

Do you have a passion for working with children and supporting their individual needs?

Want a career that fits in with your family life?

Training to be an Education Assistant is the course for you.

The Certificate IV in Education Support will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to assist the teaching staff in schools and provide care, instruction and supervision in kindergarten, pre-primary, primary and secondary school.

Gain these skills:

• implement planned education programs
• assist students in their learning and development
• contribute to the safety and health of students
• support students with additional needs and disabilities
• learn how to work with children and young people at risk of harm
• work effectively with culturally diverse students, families and co-workers

Certificate IV in Education Support students are required to obtain a Working with Children Check and a Department of Education Police Clearance. Students under the age of 18 will be required to complete the WA Department of Education Confidential Declaration Form.

Is this the right course for you?

Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.

See the core skills required

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.

Gain these skills:

• Manage the counselling relationship
• Develop counselling interview skills
• Application of technical financial information
• Program community support mechanisms
• Interpret and use financial law
• Provide advocacy and referrals
• Respond to crisis situations

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

Are you ready for a lifelong career helping those who have lived a long life?

When you complete the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) you'll be on your way to a diverse and fullfilling career in the direct care industry.

Gain these skills:

• Working effectively in the aged care industry and caring for the elderly
• Enabling clients to maintain independence
• Understand and support people with dementia
• Safety procedures, ethical behaviour and infection control
• Working with cultural diversity
• Workplace health and safety

Mandatory vaccination requirements

The Commonwealth Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health have advised that it will be mandatory for residential aged care workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination from 17 September 2021, this includes students undertaking work placements. 

You do not need to supply any vaccination evidence as part of your course application or enrolment.

Mandatory vaccinations

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
@communityservices(opens in a new tab) . 

Is this the right course for you?

Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.

See the Core Skills required

Caring in the home and community

Support people that need it the most in a career as an aged care assistant. This course specialises in providing in demand home and community support services and also supports relationships with, a wide range of people, including carers and families.   

Gain these skills:

• Work effectively in the aged care industry
• Caring for the elderly and enabling them to maintain independence
• Understanding and supporting people with dementia
• Safety procedures and ethical behaviour
• Infection control practices
• Working with cultural diversity
• Workplace health and safety

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.

Mandatory vaccination requirements

The Commonwealth Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health have advised that it will be mandatory for residential aged care workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination from 17 September 2021, this includes students undertaking work placements. 

You do not need to supply any vaccination evidence as part of your course application or enrolment.

Mandatory vaccinations

Community Services at SM TAFE Facebook page

Is this the right course for you?

Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.

See the Core Skills required

Are you ready for a lifelong career helping others?

Help people have a better quality of life in an industry where staff are always in-demand. When you complete this course you'll be on your way to a career in disability support.

Gain these skills:

• Work effectively in the disability support industry
• Caring and enabling clients to maintain independence
• Understanding and supporting people with disabilities
• Infection control policies and procedures
• Working with diverse people

Vaccination requirements

The Commonwealth Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health have advised that it will be mandatory for residential aged care workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination from 17 September 2021, this includes students undertaking work placements. 

Students undertaking this course must have a flu vaccination (no more than one year old) to be eligible to go out on compulsory work placement. 2 COVID vaccinations are strongly recommended.

You do not need to supply any vaccination evidence as part of your course application or enrolment.

Vaccination requirements

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

Is this the right course for you?

Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.

See the Core Skills required 

Learn to control COVID-19 related infection for direct care workers

In these unprecedented times, new regulations need aged care and disability workers to manage infection control.

Skills can be applied to specific health and care industry needs such as direct client care, community care, community services, in-home care, disability care, and all work environments where you provide support and care to individuals or groups of people.

Gain these skills:

• Introduction to Infection Control
• Chain of Infection and Disease Transmission
• Breaking the Chain of Infection
• Contamination and Cleaning
• Hazards, Risks, Responsibilities and Reporting

Maintain your ability to work safely and within government requirements; or, prepare your business for compliance by including your staff in training, raising their capability in ensuring the safety of staff and customers in your workplace.

Interested in retail, food handling or transport and logistics?

We have specific courses for selected industries, tailored to the infection control needs of those industries. Find out more by using the links to the other course pages below:

• Retail skill set
• Food handling skill set
• Transport and logistics skill set

Help using our online application

You will need to have the evidence requirements(opens in a new tab)  and relevant documents ready to upload with your application. When ready to apply, use our guide to self service application using Student Portal.

Student Portal application guide (2 MB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)    

Are you ready for a career giving support to people with a mental illness?

When you complete the Certificate IV in Mental Health you'll be on your way to a career as a mental health support worker, community support worker, or case worker.

Gain these skills:

• promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
• respond to critical situations
• work with carers
• early intervention strategies
• work with people at risk of homelessness and suicide
• support the recovery process
• work with cultural diversity
• ethical behaviour 
• legal responsibilities

This course has a minimum age requirement of 25 years old to be eligible to enter the course, as we are unlikely to be able to secure work placements for anyone under 25 years old.

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   

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.

Gain these skills:

• deliver and assess training
• design and develop training programs
• present to groups of learners
• participate in assessment moderation and validation

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.

Those applying to enter this program must be able to demonstrate vocational competency in their proposed teaching and assessing area and have accessibility to a workplace mentor.

Assessments require access to real learning contexts and to a group of at least eight learners to demonstrate your skills and knowledge either in your workplace or access to one that relates to your vocational competency.

Do you want to make a lifelong difference working with todays youth?

When you complete the Certificate IV in Youth Work you'll be on your way to a career as a youth worker, youth support worker, or case worker.

Gain these skills:

• communicate and work effectively in the youth sector
• promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
• respond to critical situations
• work with youth at risk
• assist with collective action
• work with cultural diversity
• ethical behaviour
• legal responsibilities

This course follows on from the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services and can be achieved within 1 semester. If you have completed the CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services course you may wish to complete the additional units in this qualification to specialise in youth work.

Do you want to make a lifelong difference working with todays youth?

When you complete the Diploma of Youth Work you'll be on your way to a team leading career as a youth worker, youth officer, or case worker.

Gain these skills:

• develop and manage youth programs
• promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
• respond to critical situations
• work with youth at risk
• assist collective action
• develop and maintain professional networks
• work with cultural diversity
• ethical behaviour
• legal responsibilities

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