This project will critically evaluate and update qualifications in the Community Services sector to enhance their relevance and applicability, thereby increasing the industry's capacity to meet growing demand and evolving challenges.
 

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September to November 2024

This project will evaluate and update the 5 Community Service qualifications to best serve the needs of the Community Services sector and the broader Health Care and Social Assistance sector, ensuring they align with current industry needs, regulatory requirements, safety and wellbeing outcomes for clients, and create clear and sustainable career pathways to support existing and future growth in the industry.

The review will ensure training products address emerging approaches such as trauma-informed care, cultural competence and person-centred practice along with skills in collaboration and co-design with service users.

Project Scope

This project will review 5 qualification and 194 units of competency that support training for the following occupations:

  • Case manager
  • Community services coordinator
  • Home Helper
  • Personal Care Assistant
  • Support Worker
  • Team leader
  • Welfare Services Managers

Qualification

Our project will look at 5 community services qualifications and 8 associated skills sets:

You can provide us with any initial feedback on the current qualifications and units of competency by emailing details to [email protected].
 

Project governance and consultation strategy

We have established a Technical Committee (TC) of experts to provide advice for the project. TC members are selected for their relevant expertise on the diverse aspects of the project.

View the Terms of Reference and Technical Committee members.

View our Project Consultation Strategy.

 

Nov 2024 - May 2025

Project development is underway to update the community services qualifications and ensure they are aligned with current industry needs, regulatory requirements, safety and wellbeing outcomes for clients, and create clear and sustainable career pathways to support existing and future growth in the industry.

A Technical Committee (TC) comprising of industry experts has been established to provide specialised advice for this project. Members were carefully selected based on their relevant expertise and experience in areas critical to the project. The TC will work with us to:

  • identify relevant stakeholders to consult with
  • provide insights on proposed communication and consultation strategies
  • provide technical knowledge on the skills and knowledge required to meet graduate outcomes and workforce needs.

We will also undertake:

  • desktop research
  • a review of available information on industry standards, working conditions, and employer recruitment selection criteria
  • virtual workshops to:
    • explore the skills that organisations need
    • identify career pathways for employees
    • discuss foreseeable changes in the sector.

Functional Analysis

Our Functional Analysis Report used in-depth research to provides a clear and detailed overview of the diverse roles, functions, and skills required in the community sector.

We are committed to developing training products that meet industry standards and contribute to improving workforce readiness by identifying gaps and opportunities in skills development.

The report outlines key competencies needed to meet industry demands and supports workforce development by exploring nationally endorsed training pathways.

Methodology

To ensure accuracy and relevance, the functional analysis research process included desktop research and interviews.

Desktop research included reviews of job advertisements, organisational structures, industry reports and government labour market data to understand workforce skills requirements and identify emerging trends.

For the interviews, we engaged with employers, peak bodies, registered training organisations and subject matter experts to gather valuable insights into practical roles, functions, sub-functions, skills and knowledge requirements.

These conversations helped us identify the specific tasks, challenges, and competencies employers prioritise in various work settings.

We also gained a deeper understanding of employer expectations, current and future workforce needs to define functions and sub-functions to guide workforce development, and training product solutions for the sector.

Read the Functional Analysis Report

28 April - 4 July 2025

We’re inviting community services organisations, industry experts, trainers, educators and assessors to join us at one of our workshops to discuss our project’s qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.

Check details and register to attend a workshop.

 

Draft documents for review and feedback

The below draft documents have been developed following our functional analysis. Please read our Summary of Proposed Changes before reviewing the documents and providing your feedback.  

Some units of competency have been addressed in the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Qualification Review. You can access these documents and read proposed changes in the MHAOD Summary or visit the project webpage.

 

Feedback Survey 1: Certificate II in Community Services

Please review the draft CHC220XX - Certificate II in Community Services

Complete feedback form

Feedback Survey 2: Certificate III in Community Services

Please review the draft CHC320XX - Certificate III in Community Services

Complete feedback form

Feedback Survey #3: Certificate IV in Community Services

Please review the draft CHC420XX - Certificate IV in Community Services

Complete feedback form

Feedback Survey #4: Diploma of Community Services

Please review the draft CHC520XX - Diploma of Community Services

Complete feedback form

Feedback Survey #5: Advanced Diploma of Community Services

Please review the draft CHC620XX - Advanced Diploma of Community Services

Complete feedback form

Feedback Survey #6: Unit Deletions and New Units

Please review the proposed unit deletions and new units:

Complete feedback form

Feedback Survey 7: Work Placements

Please review the draft work placement documents:

Complete survey

Feedback Survey 8: General Feedback on Units of Competency

Please review the draft units of competency:

Complete feedback form

Feedback Survey 9: Skill sets

Please review the draft skill sets:

Complete feedback form

Feedback Survey 10: Unchanged Units of Competency 

This survey is collecting feedback on the following documents:

Complete feedback form

Details to come.
Details to come.
 

How to get involved

If you would like to receive project updates and consultation opportunities, please register.

Project updates

Contact details

To contact the project team, please email [email protected]

 

Project timeline

  • Project Set Up

    Establish a Technical Committee to provide expert advice for the project.
  • Development

    Functional analysis undertaken via 30 employer, VETiS and State and Territory government representative’s interviews and virtual functional analysis workshops.

    Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.

  • Consultation

    Draft training products released for consultation.

    Consultation activities held nationally and online.

    Delivery of 14 face-to-face and 4 virtual workshops.

    Workshops will be held in all states and territories. 

    Stakeholder feedback is logged and the Consultation Log published on project webpage.  

  • Finalisation and Submission

    Consensus views incorporated into revisions where compliant with the Training Package Organising Framework.

    Divergent views addressed through further consultations, advice from subject matter experts, negotiations and if necessary, dispute resolution processes.

    Revisions, rationales, dispute process and outcomes published in the Consultation Log.  

    Consultation held with Commonwealth and state/territory State Responsible Officers

    Feedback incorporated into draft documents.

  • Endorsement and Implementation

    Upload endorsed qualifications, skill sets and units of competency to the National Training Register.

    Update the Companion Volume to reflect changes to the Training Package, identified pathways information and mapping information.

    Delivery of 3 virtual professional development workshops to highlight the features of the new qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.