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The Bachelor of Community Services requires the completion of 108 units of study and can be undertaken in 3 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). Credit of up to 54 units may be granted depending on the student's previous Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector qualification in community services. Students entering via the Diploma entry may complete in 2 years of full-time study and those entering via the Advanced Diploma entry may complete in 1.5 years of full-time study.
The course is offered by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
Admission requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses as specified in detail in the University Entry requirements.
Applicants must have completed an approved VET sector Diploma or Advanced Diploma in community services (or equivalent) to be eligible for admission to either the 72 unit or 54 unit pathway options. Students who complete a Diploma will receive 36 units of credit towards the Bachelor of Community Services. Students who complete an Advanced Diploma will receive 54 units of credit towards the Bachelor of Community Services.
Course aims
The Bachelor of Community Services aims to:
- prepare students to work as policy makers, practitioners and managers in community services
- enable students to apply concepts, theories and research skills from the Social Sciences
- articulate with recognized VET-accredited courses developing practical skills in community services
- provide students with opportunities to acquire and develop work-place related skills and knowledge
Learning outcomes
Bachelor of Community Services' graduates should be able to:
- understand the political, economic and social context of work in community services
- communicate in a professional manner in a range of forms
- apply skills relating to information processing, archival research, documentary and other related analytical and research techniques
- Plan and implement programs and activities to support people to overcome difficulties and reach their full potential
Program of study
Diploma Entry (72 units)
To qualify for the Bachelor of Community Services, a student must complete 108 units as follows:
- 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study listed below; and
- An approved VET sector Diploma, for which 36 units of credit will be granted.
63 units of core topics comprising:
Core - Year 1 topics
AUST1004 An Introduction to Aboriginal Studies (4.5 units)
BUSN1011 Accounting for Managers (4.5 units) OR
BUSN1021 Organisational Behaviour (4.5 units)
COMS1001 Academic and Professional Communication (4.5 units) OR
SOAD1009 Critical Thinking and Communication (4.5 units)
POLI2011 Australian Public Policy: Applications, Issues and Dilemmas (4.5 units) OR
SOAD2007 Social Policy and Practice (4.5 units)
SOAD2002 Human Social Development (4.5 units)
SOCI1001 Issues in Sociology (4.5 units) OR
SOCI1010 Sociology of Everyday Life (4.5 units)
SOCI2025 Sociological Research: Design, Methods and Ethics (4.5 units) OR
SOAD3006 Practice Research (4.5 units)
Core - Year 2 topics
BUSN2038 Human Resource Management (4.5 units)
POLI2025 The Politics of the Australian Welfare State (4.5 units) OR
POLI3010 Advanced Perspectives on Public Policy (4.5 units)
SOCI2026 Contemporary Social Problems (4.5 units) OR
SOCI2015 Sociology of Deviance (4.5 units)
WMST2012 Sex, Gender and Identities in Australia (4.5 units) OR
WMST2013 Gender, Power and Change: Introducing Feminist Debates (4.5 units)
SOCI3008 Knowing the Social World (4.5 units)
SOCI3051 Families and Social Policy
WORK3200 Social and Policy Studies Workplace Research Project (4.5 units)
Option topics
Plus 9 units selected from the following level 2 and 3 topics:
AUST2612 Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledges (4.5 units)
POLI2002 Government Business and Society (4.5 units)
POLI3010 Advanced Perspectives on Public Policy (4.5 units)
SOCI2001 Communication Media and Social Life (4.5 units)
SOCI2015 Sociology of Deviance (4.5 units)
SOCI2021 Racism, Recognition and Identity (4.5 units)
SOCI3047 Shaping the Future: Social Change in the New Century (4.5 units)
WMST2016 Indigenous Women's Voices: Race, Gender and Colonialism (4.5 units)
WMST3012 Performing Masculinities (4.5 units)
WMST3013 Gendering Politics and Policy: Justice, Rights (4.5 units)
Advanced Diploma Entry (54 units)
To qualify for the Bachelor of Community Services, a student must complete 108 units as follows:
- 54 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study listed below; and
- An approved VET sector Advanced Diploma, for which 54 units of credit will be granted.
45 units of core topics comprising:
Core - Year 1 topics
AUST1004 An Introduction to Aboriginal Studies (4.5 units)
COMS1001 Academic and Professional Communication (4.5 units) OR
SOAD1009 Critical Thinking and Communication (4.5 units)
POLI2011 Australian Public Policy: Applications, Issues and Dilemmas (4.5 units) OR
SOAD2007 Social Policy and Practice (4.5 units)
SOAD2002 Human Social Development (4.5 units)
SOCI1001 Issues in Sociology (4.5 units) OR
SOCI1010 Sociology of Everyday Life (4.5 units)
SOCI2025 Sociological Research: Design, Methods and Ethics (4.5 units) OR
SOAD3006 Practice Research (4.5 units)
WORK3200 Social and Policy Studies Workplace Research Project (4.5 units)
WMST2012 Sex, Gender and Identities in Australia (4.5 units) OR
WMST2013 Gender, Power and Change: Introducing Feminist Debates (4.5 units)
Core - Year 2 topics
POLI2025 The Politics of the Australian Welfare State (4.5 units) OR
POLI3010 Advanced Perspectives on Public Policy (4.5 units)
SOCI2026 Contemporary Social Problems (4.5 units) OR
SOCI2015 Sociology of Deviance (4.5 units)
Option topics
Plus 9 units selected from the following level 2 and 3 topics:
AUST2612 Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledges (4.5 units)
POLI2002 Government Business and Society (4.5 units)
POLI3010 Advanced Perspectives on Public Policy (4.5 units)
SOCI2001 Communication Media and Social Life (4.5 units)
SOCI3047 Shaping the Future: Social Change in the New Century (4.5 units)
SOCI2015 Sociology of Deviance (4.5 units)
SOCI2021 Racism, Recognition and Identity (4.5 units)
WMST2016 Indigenous Women's Voices: Race, Gender and Colonialism (4.5 units)
WMST3012 Performing Masculinities (4.5 units)
WMST3013 Gendering Politics and Policy: Justice, Rights (4.5 units)
