Is this the same as Certificate III in Individual Support?

No. CHC33021 Individual Support is personal care - ageing, disability, day-to-day support of a person. CHC32015 Community Services is about connecting people to services and supporting community-based programs. They sit at the same level and share two core units, but they lead to different jobs.

Do I need this before the Certificate IV?

No. CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services records no entry requirements, unlike the Certificate IV in Disability Support which does. Many people go straight to the Certificate IV.

Why is managing personal stress a core unit?

Because the work is demanding and the training package treats that as a competency rather than a personal problem. HLTWHS006 is core at entry level, which is unusual and, frankly, sensible.

Do I need a police check or working with children check?

Almost always, and providers usually require them before placement. These are set by employers and state regulators, not by the qualification.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Work placement usually applies.

CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services

About this qualification

CHC32015 is the way into community services that is not care work. The register describes “entry level community services workers who support individuals through the provision of person-centred services”, with work that “may include day-to-day support of individuals in community settings or support the implementation of specific community-based programs”.

Twelve units — five core and seven electives. The core is deliberately broad: responding to client needs, communicating in health or community services, working with diverse people, safe work practices for direct client care, and managing personal stressors.

That last one is worth pausing on. HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment is a core unit at Certificate III, which is unusual. The training package is saying, at entry level, that the job will cost you something and you need to be equipped for it.

Where this differs from CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support: that qualification is about supporting a person day to day — ageing, disability, personal care. This one is about connecting people to services and running programs. Different work, similar level.

Roles it maps to

Roles described on the national register for CHC32015.

Community Support Worker Community Services Worker Program Assistant Client Support Officer

Where it sits

Where CHC32015 sits in the community services ladder.

Certificate III · you are hereCHC32015 Community Services
Certificate IVCHC42021 Community Services
DiplomaCHC52025 Community Services
Advanced DiplomaCHC62015 Community Sector Management

What it covers

5Core units

7Elective units

Twelve units in total. At least five electives must come from the listed bank, with up to two from that bank, any endorsed training package or an accredited course, provided they are relevant to the work outcome.

The 5 core units, required by everyone:

CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as Certificate III in Individual Support?: No. CHC33021 Individual Support is personal care — ageing, disability, day-to-day support of a person. CHC32015 Community Services is about connecting people to services and supporting community-based programs. They sit at the same level and share two core units, but they lead to different jobs.
Do I need this before the Certificate IV?: No. CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services records no entry requirements, unlike the Certificate IV in Disability Support which does. Many people go straight to the Certificate IV.
Why is managing personal stress a core unit?: Because the work is demanding and the training package treats that as a competency rather than a personal problem. HLTWHS006 is core at entry level, which is unusual and, frankly, sensible.
Do I need a police check or working with children check?: Almost always, and providers usually require them before placement. These are set by employers and state regulators, not by the qualification.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Work placement usually applies.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

NSW

TAFE NSWRTO 90003

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275

Deliver and assess · National
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
WA

WA Dept of Training and Workforce DevelopmentRTO 52395

Deliver and assess · WA
WA

Skills Strategies InternationalRTO 2401

Deliver and assess · National
VIC

The Management EdgeRTO 3927

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Joblink PlusRTO 91434

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Open CollegesRTO 90796

Deliver and assess · National
SA

TIME Education and TrainingRTO 40058

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Insight Training Group AustraliaRTO 32142

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Maxwells ServicesRTO 90924

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Strategix Training GroupRTO 31418

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 162 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

More in Community Services

Other qualifications in the CHC training package, nearest level first.

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Certificate III in Community Services

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