CRS1400642 Diploma in Human Services

The Diploma in Human Services is a professional human services course that ensures you are challenged by comprehensive up to date knowledge and experience discipline-specific, practical and applied training. In this course you will develop critical thinking skills, knowledge of theoretical frameworks and practical skills that will provide a basis for employment opportunities in the community services sector.

You will practice applying your knowledge through case studies, group work, essays, the completion of practical exercises, professional placements and research activities.

It is an eight unit course that transforms students into ‘work-ready’ graduates over a two trimester, full time load.

Why Choose This Course?

Human services play a critical role in society. It is an expanding field that serves people of all cultures and contexts and so it looks to employ qualified staff from all cultures and contexts.

Entry Requirements

Qualify for Special Entry

Applicants in any category whose study, work or life experiences have been impacted by disability, illness or family disruption will be given special consideration for admission. Each application will be considered on its merit, based on the evidence supplied by the applicant attesting to the circumstances of the applicant.

Applicants for special entry may need to complete written or numerical tasks to assist with assessing eligibility for admission.

Interview

Applicants participate in an admissions interview in person or via a web-based video meeting. This is an important opportunity to meet an Admissions Advisor who will spend time understanding your application and career goals. It is also an ideal opportunity to ask questions and learn more about student life at EQUALS.

English Requirements

English Language proficiency requirements are applicable to international students and in addition to academic or special entry requirements noted in the Entry Requirements section. Discover English language Entry Requirements.

Additional Course Specific Entry Requirements

Regardless of your nominated entry pathway, you are required to support your application by demonstrating your capacity to meet the academic, ethical and participation demands of your program of choice at interview or, where requested by Admissions staff, through a written statement of purpose (SoP).

Career Pathways

Further Pathways

The human services sector is a vital part of any vibrant community and offers a wide variety of opportunity and career pathways both in Australia and internationally. People seeking a career in the human services sector seek to create positive change through better access to health and wellbeing services. They have a curiosity to learn and to adapt to our changing world. Most importantly, they demonstrate a commitment to serve others.

A number of factors in Australia are contributing to a need for more Diploma in Human Services graduates:

Family and young people – expanding need
Growing aging population
Migration
New funding initiatives in the aged care and disability sectors
Homeless and social need
Juvenile justice
Community development
Support services for women, children, young people, older people, migrant and refugee
resettlement, rehabilitation services, policy and program development.

Employment opportunities are strong with growing demand for human service graduates in a range of areas. Human Service graduates can consider careers such as:

Health Promotion Officer
Welfare Worker/Community Worker
Family Support Officer
Community Development Officer
Project Manager
Social Researcher
Welfare Worker/Community Worker (i.e. outreach, community services, child protection, family services, recovery support, youth, placement support, bushfire case support program, intake and mobile support, welfare, community liaison, disaster relief, preservation case)
Counsellor (i.e. abuse, wellbeing, telephone)
Officer (i.e. juvenile probation, child safety, tenancy, community development, policy development, child safety, client services, intake and assessment)
Practitioner (i.e. child protection)
Advocate (i.e. disability)
Analyst (i.e. policy, change)
Job Coach
Project Manager
Case Manager

Types of career advancement jobs when you have 3 or more years of work experience after you graduate:

Health Service Manager
Welfare Manager
Case Manager
Regional Manager
Program Manager
Coordinator (i.e. kinship and family care, roster, community services, support, Aboriginal services, placement services, disability services, local area, service delivery
Team Leader (i.e. disability services team, gambling)
Manager (i.e. allied services and wellbeing, intake and support, family wellbeing, service, consumer engagement)
Chief Operations Officer
Senior Officer
Services Manager (i.e. family participation)
Operations Manager (i.e. child, youth, family).

Types of employers and services where you may work include:

Councils
Individuals
Not for profit organisations
Government agencies
Community services
Healthcare services
Social services
Unemployment services
Rehabilitation services
Remand services
Peak bodies
Social services
Healthcare providers
Aged care organisations
Hospitals
Justice providers
Service providers related to crime
Schools
Family based care providers
Private care providers
Specially funded projects.

Further Study

The Diploma in Human Services is a pathway into the following courses:

Associate Degree in Human Services
Bachelor of Human Services

You can contact an Admissions Advisor to provide further guidance on admission pathways.

Course Structure

Study Units

Full time study duration:

By standard study mode (2 trimesters per academic year) = 1 years full time equivalent

The course structure: 8 core units; including Professional practice placements equivalent to 2 units. The course diagram provides an overview of the Diploma in Human Services course structure, as well as possible pathway courses. The course includes the following core, foundational units:

Introduction to social and human services in Australia (100 level)
Principles of professional practice and business management skills (100 level)
Communications skills for human services professionals (100 level)
Culture, diversity, and gender (100 level)
Legal and ethical dimensions of human services practice (100 level)
Foundations of psychology (100 level).

As part of your studies, you will have the opportunity to engage with a broad range of Human Services organisations that are engaged in serving our local community.

Course Accreditation

EQUALS is a registered Higher Education Provider under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Act 2011 and the Diploma in Human Services is accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

Provider registration number: PRV14279

Course ID: CRS1400642

The Diploma in Human Services is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Course Outcomes

The Diploma in Human Services provides you with entry level knowledge of core theories, principles, and practice for application in a range of paraprofessional contexts in the human services and allied health fields.

Work Integrated Learning (Placement)

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements are a vital and exciting part of your Diploma in Human Services course. This section contains comprehensive information about your placement.

Please be aware that WIL placements as timetabled every second trimester are a compulsory component of your course.

Your timetable preserves Thursdays and Fridays for the insertion of your practice placement (Prac) study load.

Each Prac A and B are equivalent to a full time unit of study of 10 credit points across 12 weeks and are timetabled together making them a double unit together in one study period or 20 credit points.

Work Integrated Learning Experience Requirements

Academic: Students must pass the prerequisite units before beginning placement.

Three Professional Practice Placement Units: In order to receive the award of a Diploma in Human Services degree, students must complete the following units and are directed to the respective Study Guides for unit specific information: PRAC 100: Professional Practice Placement Introductory

Other Requirements: Students wishing to enrol in PRAC 100 must attend the pre-placement workshop held the study period before placement begins. This will be the only compulsory pre-placement workshop as this workshop will function as orientation to EQUALS placement requirements overall.

Placement Duration: In fulfilment of placement engagement, students complete up to 120 hours which consists of the following: PRAC 100 120 hours 16 hours per week

Placement Timing: Placements are offered in trimester 2. Placements have to be completed within one teaching period. Small variations including extensions may be approved by the Professional Practice Placement Coordinator.

Placement Setting:

The following are essential requirements:

Two of the three placements must be in different fields of practice –
Two of the three placements should be in different organisations
At least two of the three placements must involve face-to-face, direct service delivery.

As a general rule, WIL Partners do not accept students who have been former service users and do not accept students who have relatives or partners working in the same office or in senior positions in the WIL Partner.

WIL Partners: EQUALS maintains a range of professional relationships with WIL Partners across the sectors including disability, health, ageing, early childhood education and youth.

Screening Checks: EQUALS requires higher education students to undergo a screening check for five types of screening prior to commencement of the placement. These types of screening are: child-related employment, disability services employment, aged care sector employment, vulnerable person employment and general employment probity.

Students are required to have a current Screening Check clearance letter prior to the commencement of the Professional Practice Placement. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the clearance letter remains current for the duration of the placement. The Placement Coordinator can assist the student with this application process.

Further information can be obtained from the DCSI website at: http://screening.dcsi.sa.gov.au/screening-process/how-to-apply

EQUALS insurance covers public liability and personal accidents whilst on placement, but personal property is not covered. Please consult the WIL Human Services Manual for full details.

Please visit the WIL Hub on EQOnline for further placement related questions and documentation requirements.

Fees and Funding Options

Tuition Fee	22,064
Amenities Fee	$350

Tuition Fee	26,480
Student Services Fee	$350
Scholarship Available	Please enquire

How to Apply

Applications

Please feel free to ask us a question to find out more, or if you’re ready, please submit an online Application for enrolment by clicking here.

If you have any questions about this course please feel free to contact an Admissions Advisor at admissions@equals.edu.au providing your preferred contact details and we will get back to you as soon as practicable. Expressions of Interest for a particular course of study can be made at any time.

Offers and Acceptance

If you are made an offer to study at EQUALS, you will receive a Letter of Offer which will include step-by-step details on how to accept your offer. This Letter of Offer is based on the documented evidence provided and subject to the application meeting the published entry criteria. It is important that you carefully read and understand the Letter of Offer. Any conditions of the offer are clearly specified in the Letter of Offer.

If you have any questions, please contact an Admissions Advisor at +61 8 8110 1200 or by email at admissions@equals.edu.au.

Applications are assessed in accordance with the Student Selection and Admissions Policy and Procedure.

Credit Transfer

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have completed formal studies in a similar area or have work experience you may be eligible for credit through a recognition for prior learning pathway.

The Credit for Prior Learning Policy and Procedure can be found on our Policies and Procedures page along with an application form.

If you wish to be granted credit for prior study or learning, please apply for credit for recognition of prior learning on the associated form with your application for enrolment.

On completion of this course, you will receive a 12 month credit to the EQUALS Bachelor of Human Services course.

Graduate Attributes

Graduates of the Diploma in Human Services course will be entry level professionals who:

apply knowledge of theory and practice in the human services environment
demonstrate understanding and knowledge in the underlying principles and concepts of human services policy delivery
critically review and analyse administrative and discipline-specific knowledge and practice, and synthesise information for effective decision making
review and analyse knowledge and practice, and synthesise information for effective decision making.
apply technical skills to solve human services problems through critical thinking and informed judgement and awareness of professional practice
communicate knowledge and skills, and ideas with clarity and coherence
apply knowledge and skills with initiative and informed judgment
work collaboratively in teams
adapt knowledge, concepts, and technical skills in diverse contexts and settings; and
demonstrate responsibility and accountability in the application of knowledge and skills for professional practice.

Additional Resources

Support Services

ving with different abilities.

Human Services Courses