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

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?

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

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.

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

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

Good news!

This course is going to transition to a new training package in 2022. This means that students starting in 2022 will transfer during their study to new units developed to meet current and future industry needs.

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

Good news!

This course has been replaced by a new training package in 2022. It is intended that students starting in Semester 2 2022 will commence their study in this new qualification with new units developed to meet current and future industry needs.

We are currently applying in the process of adding this qualification to our scope of registration and developing new learning resources and assessment tools. Please be aware that an entry requirement for this qualification is the successful completion of the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Also, there will be a mandatory requirement to undertake an unpaid work placement of a minimum of 280 hours.

This course will provide you with the skills to prepare you for roles such as a teachers aide or education assistant working in a 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
• work effectively with culturally diverse students and colleagues

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

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

Good news!

This course is going to transition to a new training package in 2022. This means that students starting in 2022 will transfer during their study to new units developed to meet current and future industry needs.

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 fulfilling 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

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.

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

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

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.

Gain these skills:

• increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
• recognise and respond to crisis situations
• work with diverse people
• provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
• manage personal stressors in the work environment

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.

Make a difference in the community 

Gain the skills to prepare for a career helping others in your community. 

You will learn to work effectively and appropriately with individuals and groups in a diverse range of community organisations. This introductory course will also help you learn community advocacy and development. 

Gain these skills

• Organise and complete daily work activities 
• Provide first point of contact 
• Communicate and work in health or community services 
• Work with diverse people 
• Provide first aid   
• Participate in workplace health and safety 
• Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures 

Tuition and resource fees

Eligible students study this course absolutely free. If you are not eligible you can expect to pay $587.35.

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