CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services
Advance your career in the Community Services sector
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.

This course remains FEE FREE in 2025! The course fees are 100 per cent subsidised by the WA State Government for WA residents.
Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training, and other fees may apply for some courses. Please see the FAQs on our Skills Ready page for further information.
* Please note that eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training.
Overview
Campus Bunbury | Albany
When Semester 2, 2025 | Semester 1, 2026 | All year round
Study Mode Flexible | Full-Time
This qualification reflects the role of community service workers who design and deliver person-centred services to individuals and/or groups. Workers may provide support, advocacy or interventions to individual clients, groups or communities across a range of services.
At this level, workers may be autonomous with limited responsibility within established parameters and may be required to supervise and lead other workers in projects or teams. Work may take place in a range of community service, case work or case management contexts.
To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below. You must:
- Want to work with diverse groups, including youth, older persons, individuals with disabilities, those experiencing mental health issues, and people needing support with alcohol and other drugs or social services.
- Be open-minded and non-judgemental.
- Respect and value diversity, demonstrating good ethical behaviour.
- Be able to work independently and within a team.
- Be able to observe and identify changes in behaviour, abilities, and environment.
- Be able to handle the physical demands of manual tasks in community service work.
- Have strong time management skills.
- Have strong communication and listening skills to liaise and work with a variety of individuals.
- Be a problem-solver with the ability to respond to immediate safety risks.
- Be tolerant, patient, and willing to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures, as well as those living with cognitive impairment.
- Understand the importance of maintaining personal and professional boundaries.
This course contains material of a sensitive nature, including trauma, mental health challenges, alcohol and other substance abuse, homelessness, family and domestic violence, risk of suicide and/or other crises, which may be upsetting or triggering for some individuals. Please ensure you have sufficient support networks for the duration of your study. Support is also available through South Regional TAFE Student Services, who can direct you to our (including Counsellors, Aboriginal Services, Disability Services, and others.)
Time Commitment: You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, and research to successfully complete this course; and complete the mandatory work placement as scheduled in your Work Placement Agreement.
You will need to complete:
- Work Placement: supervised activities in a suitable environment that provides the services in this selected area of study. South Regional TAFE will arrange this work placement within the industry for you.
- Work Placement hours will be in keeping with Community Service Industry requirements. This may be outside of your class hours.
- Working With Children Check (WWCC): this may be requested by the workplace prior to placement for the Disability stream. This will incur an additional cost. To find out more about a WWCC click here.
- Vaccinations: may may be requested by the workplace prior to placement. This will incur an additional cost. To find out more about immunization in the workplace click here.
- National Police Clearance: this may be requested by the workplace prior to placement. This clearance will incur an additional cost. To find out more about this clearance click here.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Clearance: this may be requested by the workplace prior to placement. The NDIS clearance includes a National Police Clearance. This clearance will incur an additional cost. To find out more about the NDIS click here.
- Students are required to be 18 years of age prior to work placement.
Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:
- Respectful Communication and Empathy: connect with people from different backgrounds; share ideas effectively; build trust and strong relationships; converse with clients and staff in English.
- Behaviour: good ethical behaviour; ability to stand and concentrate for long periods of time; fortitude to cope with the uncertainty of client care.
- Attributes: dexterity; sensory abilities (sight, sound, touch) that enable observation of another person.
- Teamwork: collaborate respectfully with allied health professionals and clients; be receptive to feedback.
- Problem Solving: find solutions; engage with challenges; ask questions; clarify and respond appropriately within your scope of practice.
- Initiative: motivation and proactivity; seek help when necessary.
- Planning: good time management; prioritise and complete tasks efficiently and effectively.
- Self-Management: self-reflection and performance evaluation; acknowledge your successes and accept responsibility for any shortcomings.
- Learning: recognise your strengths; embrace new knowledge and experiences; personal and professional growth.
- Technology: adapt to new tools; access digital resources; integrate technology into your work.
Select your preferred campus and apply
All year round, 2026
Details
Units
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
CHCCCS003 | Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide |
CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs |
CHCCCS009 | Facilitate responsible behaviour |
CHCCCS010 | Maintain a high standard of service |
CHCCCS014 | Provide brief interventions |
CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations |
CHCCCS031 | Provide individualised support |
CHCCDE020 | Implement participation and engagement strategies |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCGRP002 | Plan and conduct group activities |
CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
CHCMHS003 | Provide recovery oriented mental health services |
CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
CHCMHS008 | Promote and facilitate self advocacy |
CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing |
CHCPRT025 | Identify and report children and young people at risk |
HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety |
HLTWHS006 | Manage personal stressors in the work environment |
Details
Course fees
(Tuition fee* $0.00 + Resource fee $267.20 )
Indicative Fees and Charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of Fee Disclaimers
Units
Not all units and study modes are offered at all campuses. Please check with your local campus.
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
CHCCCS003 | Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCGRP002 | Plan and conduct group activities |
CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
CHCMHS008 | Promote and facilitate self advocacy |
CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing |
CHCPRT025 | Identify and report children and young people at risk |
All year round, 2025
Details
Units
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
CHCCCS003 | Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide |
CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs |
CHCCCS009 | Facilitate responsible behaviour |
CHCCCS010 | Maintain a high standard of service |
CHCCCS014 | Provide brief interventions |
CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations |
CHCCCS031 | Provide individualised support |
CHCCDE020 | Implement participation and engagement strategies |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCGRP002 | Plan and conduct group activities |
CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
CHCMHS003 | Provide recovery oriented mental health services |
CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
CHCMHS008 | Promote and facilitate self advocacy |
CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing |
CHCPRT025 | Identify and report children and young people at risk |
HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety |
HLTWHS006 | Manage personal stressors in the work environment |
Details
Course fees
(Tuition fee* $0.00 + Resource fee $267.20 )
Indicative Fees and Charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of Fee Disclaimers
Units
Not all units and study modes are offered at all campuses. Please check with your local campus.
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
CHCCCS003 | Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCGRP002 | Plan and conduct group activities |
CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
CHCMHS008 | Promote and facilitate self advocacy |
CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing |
CHCPRT025 | Identify and report children and young people at risk |
Semester 1, 2026
Details
Course fees
(Tuition fee* $0.00 + Resource fee $267.20 )
Indicative Fees and Charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of Fee Disclaimers
Units
Not all units and study modes are offered at all campuses. Please check with your local campus.
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
CHCCCS003 | Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide |
CHCCCS014 | Provide brief interventions |
CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
CHCSOH013 | Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness |
HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
Semester 2, 2025
Details
Course fees
(Tuition fee* $0.00 + Resource fee $267.20 )
Indicative Fees and Charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of Fee Disclaimers
Units
Not all units and study modes are offered at all campuses. Please check with your local campus.
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
CHCCCS003 | Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCGRP002 | Plan and conduct group activities |
CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
CHCMHS008 | Promote and facilitate self advocacy |
CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing |
CHCPRT025 | Identify and report children and young people at risk |
Details
Course fees
(Tuition fee* $0.00 + Resource fee $267.20 )
Indicative Fees and Charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of Fee Disclaimers
Units
Not all units and study modes are offered at all campuses. Please check with your local campus.
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
CHCCCS003 | Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide |
CHCCCS014 | Provide brief interventions |
CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
CHCSOH013 | Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness |
HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |