This qualification can lead to work in many areas within community services covering a range of person-centred services to individuals and/or groups. Embrace a rewarding career in community services and help people in the community regain more control over their lives and future.
Undertaking formal studies to become a qualified community service worker will present a range of entry point employment opportunities in many community services fields including residential services, recreation programs, educational support services, advocacy, employment support services, respite services and community or neighbourhood houses.
– A laptop / computer
– The internet
– A scanner, or a scanner app downloaded on their smart phone
Please advise our Training Coordinator at your initial telephone or personal meeting if you require additional support in your learning. This will allow a support plan to be devised before you commence your course. Support services may be available to students with a disability, impairment, or long-term condition and/or learning, language, literacy and/or numeracy difficulties. As set out in the terms and conditions of enrolment, students are invited to contact the College upon enrolment to check if support to meet their individual needs is available.
This qualification can be completed through a traineeship pathway. Please contact Nadia Louw at nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au or call 9970 1008 for further information. New entrant traineeship course cost is currently fee free.
This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
PLEASE NOTE: Work placement organisation may require the COVID-19 vaccination.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency and successfully complete:
15 units must be:
7 core units
8 elective units, consisting of:
at least 6 units from the electives listed below
up to 2 units from the list below or any endorsed Training Package or accredited
course.
All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.
Once successfully completed the student will receive the nationally recognised industry qualification – CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| 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 |
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs |
| CHCCDE019 | Work within a community development framework |
| CHCCDE023 | Develop and deliver community projects |
| CHCCCS006 | Facilitate individual service planning and delivery |
| CHCADV002 | Provide advocacy and representation services |
| CHCCSM017 | Facilitate and review case management |
| CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
| CHCCCS017 | Provide loss and grief support |
| CHCCCS020 | Respond effectively to behaviours of concern |
| CHCDIS011 | Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
| CHCYTH013 | Engage respectfully with young people |
| HLTWHS006 | Manage personal stressors in the work environment |
| HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations |
| CHCGRP002 | Plan and conduct group activities |
To be awarded this qualification, a student must complete and demonstrate competency in all 7 core units and 8 elective units. You must also submit a Unique Student Identifier.
Northern Beaches & Mosman College recognises that you may be able to demonstrate a particular competency based on prior learning, skills gained in the workforce, or skills otherwise gained.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) can be granted if you can demonstrate competency in all the performance criteria in the elements of a particular unit of competency (from a training package) or all the learning outcomes in a particular module (from an accredited course).
If you think you may be eligible for RPL in a prospective course, please contact the College for an initial discussion as to your suitability at least 2 weeks before the course commences, or for late enrolments, you must advise the Training Coordinator on enrolment. Students then have 3 weeks to lodge a fully completed application with all supporting documentation. Supporting and current evidence must be submitted with your application. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the evidence to support their claim for RPL. As RPL must be considered and assessed through one-on-one interaction between the applicant and assessor, the course fee remains the same (unless otherwise determined by a funding contract).
Applications received after this time will not be considered. Please be aware, if any of the training for units of competency for which you are applying for RPL are delivered while your application is still being considered, it is strongly recommended that you attend the related classes as we cannot guarantee that your application for RPL will be successful. As a guide the process will take between 2 and 4 weeks once your application has been submitted.
Steps in the RPL Assessment Process
If you decide you would like to investigate the possibility of RPL further:
Step 1 – Request a formal RPL Application Pack from NBMC
The pack will include an application form and details of the units of competency and competency skills required within the relevant qualification. The application must be fully completed with as much supporting documentation as possible before being returned to NBMC. Ensure that all the evidence that you provide is relevant to the units of competency for which you are applying for RPL. The more comprehensive the evidence is, the easier and faster the assessment process will be. You have 3 weeks on receiving the application to complete and return it to NBMC.
Step 2 – Conversation with Assessor
If required, the assessor will conduct a competency conversation with you. You will be required to answer questions related to the industry area to identify your current skills.
Step 3 – Practical demonstration of your skills
If required, the assessor will conduct a practical skills test at your workplace (if appropriate) or at another suitable venue. This, again, is an opportunity to demonstrate your level of competence. This assessment will be focussed on skills that are required in the qualification. Your assessor will identify the skills that he/she will want you to demonstrate.
Further steps
After the assessment, your assessor will give you information about the skills that have been recognised and whether you have gained any of units of competency applied for through RPL.
Northern Beaches & Mosman College recognises Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by other Registered Training Organisations (RTO) where the Training Package guidelines allow it.
If you have a current qualification from another RTO that you wish to seek credit for (towards a course offered by NBMC) you can apply to the College for recognition of this achievement, including Credit Transfer where appropriate. You will be required to give permission to NBMC to verify the authenticity of the qualifications provided by contacting the issuing Registered Training Organisation or by checking your Unique Student Identifier records.
You must make this application within one week of the commencement of the course.
Credit Transfer may only be awarded for whole units of competence that meet the packaging rules of the Qualification they are enrolled in. Where a mapping guide identified a partial credit, this will not be considered for credit transfer, and the applicant will be advised to seek RPL.
From 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Federal Government that all students undertaking nationally recognised training will need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This involves an easy online application. See USI Fact Sheet for information on how to apply for a USI go to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Website for additional information: https://www.usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi . Please ensure when completing your enrolment information, that the details relating to your name are identical to those on the identification evidence (eg passport or driver’s licence) used when creating your USI, eg no abbreviations or nicknames should be used. Once created, it is important that you keep a record of your USI and access to your accredited training records in a safe place. You will need this information for any future enrolments into accredited training in Australia. Please contact the College on 9970 1000 if you require assistance.
Please note: If you do select the elective CHCCSM013 Facilitate and review case management there is 100 hrs of work placement required (for existing workers and employer approved) – your paid workplace hours may contribute to this requirement.
The Certificate IV in Community Services provides a pathway to a range of Diploma level qualifications in Community Services and a Bachelor Degree in Community Services or Social Science.
All NBMC Trainers/Assessors are current industry professionals with the required qualifications to deliver and assess this course. Trainers draw upon and share their own experiences in the industry to ensure that the training delivered to you is current and relevant. For information about individual trainers, please click on the trainer name in the class details below for the trainer’s bio
Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that may include real life work experience, when you choose to study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College. (NBMC)
With classes available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in Brookvale and Mosman, the College offers increasing numbers of accredited and vocational qualifications. Students include those looking to upskill, to change career direction and school leavers keen to step onto a career pathway. Courses on offer can lead directly to employment and/or go towards future learning opportunities.
The NSW and Federal Governments have signed an agreement to deliver more fee free vocational education places in NSW in 2025 and 2026. Funding is being rolled out in stages and for priority qualifications. The next funding period is for training to commence between 1 January 2026 and 1 June 2026.
To be eligible you must be:
If you meet the above criteria, along with the Course Entry Requirements, you can apply to study this course fee free (includes course resources). Fee-free places are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
NOTE: NSW Fee Free applications for Semester 1 2026 are limited. Where NSW Fee Free applications are exhausted applications for subsidised enrolments under the Smart & Skilled Program are still being accepted. See fee structure below. No payment required until application has been approved.
This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
For further information, please contact Nadia Louw, Training Coordinator at nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au or phone 9970 1008.
| Title | Fee |
| Exempt | $0 |
| Concession | $240 |
| If no prior post school qualification | $1990 |
| If a post school qualification has previously been completed | $2320 |
| Not eligible for Smart & Skilled | $8500 |
Payment options for this course are as follows:
*Enrolment instalment is payable on acceptance into the course.
Note: If not eligible for Smart and Skilled, payment will be by instalments of no more than $1500. Please contact the College for payment options.
Below are our available intakes to the CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services. Select the intake you wish to enrol into and complete the Online Enrolment Form
| Name | Course Start Date | Course End Date | Apply |
| 2026 Term 1 - Tuesday 5.30pm to 8.30pm - Brookvale Campus - Trainer: Eleni Psillakis | 10/02/2026 | 08/12/2026 | Click here |
| 2026 Term 1 - Thursday 10am to 1pm - Brookvale Campus - Trainer: Sally Cornelius | 12/02/2026 | 10/12/2026 | Click here |
Find out if you are eligible for Government Funding with our easy to using Funding Eligibility Calculator.
If you have any questions related to the CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services please enquire here. Alternatively you can email one of our course-cordinators here