Bachelor of Community Services

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

1. apply and adhere to the principles of ethical practice as defined by the Australian Community Worker Association Code of Ethics and professional Practice Guidelines;
2. gather, evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources and apply this to facilitate use of human and financial resources to achieve optimal outcomes at an individual and organisational level in a range of community service settings;
3. apply a range of communication and problem solving skills in interprofessional and/or transcultural community services contexts to meet organisational and individual requirements and manage change;
4. devise, coordinate and monitor innovative, socially inclusive and culturally appropriate strategies to engage individual and group clients and professional colleagues in a range of community service settings;
5. demonstrate the linkage between theory and practice and how this is informed by evidence and the ability to critically reflect on their practice;
6. develop a critical framework for effective practice, policy and organisational responses to meet individual, familial and group needs complex community settings; and
7. apply specific knowledge and skills in Case Management to take leadership roles in a range of community service contexts.

Candidates may enter the course without prior qualifications in health or community services. If they have prior AQF level 5 qualifications in a range of Health, Community Services and related fields, the course builds on the workplace based skills candidates have developed as a result of these previously completed qualifications. The course develops breadth and depth of contextual knowledge and associated skills required for employment and career progression as Community Development workers, Case Managers or Services Coordinators in a range of welfare and community care settings.

At the heart of community services is a desire to help people – to promote social justice and inclusion, and enable people to flourish. UNE's flexibly delivered Bachelor of Community Services will enable you to develop the skills to empower individuals, marginalised groups and communities in complex and rapidly changing community and health settings. This course integrates real-world practice and contextual knowledge with an understanding of the theories and methods underpinning the effective practice of community services, as well as policy issues, and legal and ethical responsibilities that guide this practice.

Community workers practice across the full spectrum of human services and play a vital role in empowering individuals, families, marginalised groups and communities who face disadvantage and societal problems. Whatever your career aspirations, whether you want to become a community welfare worker, case manager or service coordinator, you'll find community work rewarding, challenging and diverse. To succeed in today's complex, rapidly changing community and health settings, you'll need the skills to provide socially inclusive, culturally appropriate support to individuals and groups.

Future-proof your career by developing transferable knowledge and skills. With UNE's Bachelor of Community Services you will understand the relevant social, economic and legal contexts of community services and become an agent of change, ready to provide help and support to enable people to flourish.

Recommended study pattern

Program of Study

Rule A and Rule D

• Advanced Standing
  • Six units are granted as credit
• Core Units
  • Complete 13 core units
• Minor
  • Complete one minor comprised of four units

Rule B

• Core Units
  • Complete 19 core units
• Minor
  • Complete one minor comprised of four units

Rule C

• Advanced Standing
  • Eight units are granted as credit
• Core Units
  • Complete 11 core units
• Minor
  • Complete one minor comprised of four units

Award requirements

Candidates who meet the course requirements and who have completed the degree will be awarded the Bachelor of Community Services. 

Choose your subjects

Majors

Complete one minor from the following:

• Aboriginal Community Care
• Aged Care
• Children and Young People
• Disability
• Mental Health
• Criminal Corrections

Exit points

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing Rules, candidates admitted under Rule (b) who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Diploma in Community Welfare and Wellbeing on completion of 48 credit points.

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Undergraduate Certificate in Health and Social Care upon completion of 24 credit points.

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Undergraduate Certificate in Youth and Community Work upon completion of 24 credit points.

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Indicative total fee $29,031

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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Rule B: You can apply for this course if you have undertaken any of the following qualifications with an appropriate Grade Point Average (GPA):

• Undergraduate Certificates
• Diplomas
• Advanced Diplomas/Associate degrees
• Bachelor degrees
• Postgraduate degrees

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B.

Rule C: You have completed the UNE Diploma in Community Welfare and Wellbeing from 2022 onwards. If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule C.

Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. 

You can apply for this course if you are currently studying Year 12 (school or TAFE) or have done so within the past 2 years.

Guaranteed ATAR is 72.55.

Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. 

Rule A: You can apply for this course if you have completed a Diploma (AQF Level 5) or Advanced Diploma (AQF Level 6) from a VET Community Services Training Package or Health Training Package in one of the following areas:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Care
• Nursing

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule A.

Rule B: You can apply for this course if you have undertaken VET studies. When assessing your application, we will look at the following factors:

• Level and type of qualification (Certificate IV or above)
• Graded or ungraded (competency-based)
• Complete or incomplete.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B.

Rule D: Allambi Care Employees only - You are a current employee of Allambi Care and you have also completed both: the Allambi Care training package; and a CHC52021 or CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services.  

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule D.

Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. 

You can apply for this course on the basis of work and/or life experience via at least one of the following methods:

Professional Experience

If you have completed at least one year of paid professional experience, we can assess you for admission on this basis. Simply provide a resume and a Statement of Service from your employer/s in your application.

Mature Age Special Entry

Tell us more about your work and life experience, demonstrating why you believe you will be successful in the course you are applying for. Simply complete the form and upload it in your application.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The STAT is a test that assesses a range of competencies considered important for successful tertiary study. UNE accepts the multiple-choice component provided you have completed it within the three years prior to course commencement.

Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. 

Some entry rules come with Advanced Standing or Articulation Programs that are assessed automatically without the need for you to fill in an additional application. If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Course Structure (Program of Study) within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.

This course requires a total of 400 hours field experience.

Mandatory intensive schools on campus may be a requirement of some of the units in this course.