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GC4 - Graduate Certificate in Social and Community Services
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/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/program?p5_code=GC4&p0_catalogue_year=2027&p0_catalogue_term=0200
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Program
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Postgraduate Course
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Graduate Certificate in Social and Community Services
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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<p>The Graduate Certificate in Social and Community Services is designed for community and human services professionals looking to advance their careers, or those seeking a new career in this growing sector. </p><p>Many social problems, including poverty, conflict, family violence, growing social and economic disparities in health, education, and mental health, are challenges confronting the welfare sector in Australia and around the globe. </p><p>You will learn theories and practice frameworks that underpin community service work and develop skills to undertake complex case work, group work, and social advocacy. </p><p>This course provides you with the skills to work in a broad range of human services settings, including government, non-government welfare organisation, and community groups.</p>
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PGCW
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60
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Graduate Certificate
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8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
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0.5 year
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<p>Lauren Zeuschner</p>
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["Full time","Part time"]
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["Domestic","International"]
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0102153
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3/4 HD and nothing less than a D
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<p>Students that achieve a grade of High Distinction (HD) in at least three quarters of the units they study in a teaching period and receive nothing less than a Distinction (D) in remaining units in that teaching period will receive a letter of commendation.</p>
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Fail any unit in a term
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<p>Students that fail a unit will be contacted via email with advice on required actions and referral to various Federation support services.</p>
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Fail > 50% in a term OR fail a unit 2 times
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<p>Students who fail in more than 50% of the units in which they are enrolled in any semester or who have not passed a unit after two attempts will be regarded as having unsatisfactory progress. They will be contacted via email and advised to contact their Course Coordinator to seek advice on how to address the issues that contributed to the result.</p>
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2 consecutive performance (%) unsatisfactory terms OR fail a unit 3 times - Suspend
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<p>Following unsatisfactory progress in two consecutive semesters or failing a unit for the third time, students will be asked to show cause why they should not be excluded from the course. Unless a satisfactory response is received by the relevant Academic Progress Committee the student may be excluded from the course for a period of up to two years.</p>
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Marginal fail in final unit
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<p>Students who receive an MF grade in their final Semester may apply to the Course Coordinator within 7 days of the publication of results for supplementary assessment if that unit is the only outstanding unit required to complete the degree and the student has not been found guilty of any form of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion) in that Semester. The highest grade attainable will be a Pass grade.</p>
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["Domestic CSP","International Onshore","International Offshore"]
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["applicants with Higher Education Study","applicants with Vocational Education and Training study"]
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<p>Successful completion of an Australian Bachelor Degree, or overseas equivalent.</p>
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<p>For applicants with an Associate Degree, a minimum of three years full-time professional experience in the related community and human service fields, such as disability studies, community development, youth work, child protection, family violence, homelessness, housing, humanitarian organisations.</p>
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<p>Successful completion of a relevant VET qualification at Certificate III level or higher.</p>
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<p>For applicants with a Diploma, a minimum of three years full-time professional experience in the related community and human service fields, such as disability studies, community development, youth work, child protection, family violence, homelessness, housing, humanitarian organisations.</p>
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Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree, or overseas equivalent.
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Academic requirements
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<p>This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.</p>
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Semester 1 entry full-time course structure
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Semester 1 entry part-time course structure
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Additional costs
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Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
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2026
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2026
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GC4 - Graduate Certificate in Social and Community Services
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GC4 - Graduate Certificate in Social and Community Services
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Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2027
2026
RDS Holder
Overview
Key information
Entry requirements
Course rules
Course structure
Course learning outcomes
Additional costs
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Parent Region
Overview
Course overview
<p>The Graduate Certificate in Social and Community Services is designed for community and human services professionals looking to advance their careers, or those seeking a new career in this growing sector. </p><p>Many social problems, including poverty, conflict, family violence, growing social and economic disparities in health, education, and mental health, are challenges confronting the welfare sector in Australia and around the globe. </p><p>You will learn theories and practice frameworks that underpin community service work and develop skills to undertake complex case work, group work, and social advocacy. </p><p>This course provides you with the skills to work in a broad range of human services settings, including government, non-government welfare organisation, and community groups.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Study load:
Full time<br />Part time
Credit points:
60
AQF level:
8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
Duration (in full time equivalent):
0.5 year
Domestic students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Ballarat - SMB (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p>
International students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p>
CRICOS code:
0102153
Course coordinator:
<p>Lauren Zeuschner</p>
Entry requirements
Domestic students
Applicants with higher education study
Academic requirements
<ul><li>Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree at AQF level 7 in any discipline or</li><li>Successful completion of a associate degree at AQF level 6 in a cognate discipline in Social and Community Services, Psychology, Behavioural Science, Education, Nursing, Midwifery, Arts, Criminology and Criminal Justice and relevant work experience of at least 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent</li></ul><ul><li>For applicants with an Associate Degree, a minimum of three years full-time professional experience in the related community and human service fields, such as disability studies, community development, youth work, child protection, family violence, homelessness, housing, humanitarian organisations.</li></ul>
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Academic requirements
<ul><li>Successful completion of a Diploma in a cognate discipline in Community and Human Services and relevant work experience of at least 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent</li></ul><ul><li>For applicants with a Diploma, a minimum of three years full-time professional experience in the related community and human service fields, such as disability studies, community development, youth work, child protection, family violence, homelessness, housing, humanitarian organisations.</li></ul>
International students
Academic requirements
<p>Applicants are required to have met the minimum academic requirements: </p><ul><li>Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree, or overseas equivalent.</li></ul><ul></ul>
English language requirements
Overall Academic IELTS band score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.5, or equivalent.
Course rules
Course rules show the number and type of credit points needed to finish your course. They help you understand what you need to complete to graduate. You’re responsible for following the course rules and completing the right units. You’ll find a recommended sequence of units that meets these course rules in the course structure.
Course rules
Complete 60 credit points comprising:
60
credit points from
Core Units
Core Units
Complete exactly 60 credit points from the following:
Code
Title
Credit points
GCSCS6001
Theoretical Models for Practice: Assessment and Intervention
15
GCSCS6003
Ethics for Professional Practice
15
GCSCS6005
Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management
15
GCSCS6006
Historical and Contemporary Themes in Social and Community Services
15
Academic progress regulations
Commendation
<p>Students that achieve a grade of High Distinction (HD) in at least three quarters of the units they study in a teaching period and receive nothing less than a Distinction (D) in remaining units in that teaching period will receive a letter of commendation.</p>
Counselling
<p>Students that fail a unit will be contacted via email with advice on required actions and referral to various Federation support services.</p>
Unsatisfactory
<p>Students who fail in more than 50% of the units in which they are enrolled in any semester or who have not passed a unit after two attempts will be regarded as having unsatisfactory progress. They will be contacted via email and advised to contact their Course Coordinator to seek advice on how to address the issues that contributed to the result.</p>
Exclusion / suspension
<p>Following unsatisfactory progress in two consecutive semesters or failing a unit for the third time, students will be asked to show cause why they should not be excluded from the course. Unless a satisfactory response is received by the relevant Academic Progress Committee the student may be excluded from the course for a period of up to two years.</p>
Final unit supplementary assessment
<p>Students who receive an MF grade in their final Semester may apply to the Course Coordinator within 7 days of the publication of results for supplementary assessment if that unit is the only outstanding unit required to complete the degree and the student has not been found guilty of any form of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion) in that Semester. The highest grade attainable will be a Pass grade.</p>
Course structure
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.federation.edu.au/students/student-essentials/how-to-enrol/what-to-enrol-in/">Course structures</a> set out the recommended sequence of units for enrolment. It's your responsibility to comply with the course rules and confirm unit availability (which you'll find under 'Offering' in the 'Key information' section of each unit outline).</p> <p>Select the semester you started your course in (not the semester you're enrolling for).</p>
Semester 1 entry full-time course structure
Year 1
Semester 1
GCSCS6001
Theoretical Models for Practice: Assessment and Intervention
Core Units
15
GCSCS6006
Historical and Contemporary Themes in Social and Community Services
Core Units
15
GCSCS6003
Ethics for Professional Practice
Core Units
15
GCSCS6005
Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Core Units
15
Semester 1 entry part-time course structure
Year 1
Semester 1
GCSCS6001
Theoretical Models for Practice: Assessment and Intervention
Core Units
15
GCSCS6003
Ethics for Professional Practice
Core Units
15
Semester 2
GCSCS6006
Historical and Contemporary Themes in Social and Community Services
Core Units
15
GCSCS6005
Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Core Units
15
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
Course learning outcomes
Ref
Outcome
<p>1.</p>
<p>Apply theoretical models for Practice including assessment and intervention</p>
<p>2.</p>
<p>Clearly articulate historical and contemporary issues in Social Welfare</p>
<p>3.</p>
<p>Apply ethics in professional practice settings</p>
<p>4.</p>
<p>Apply theories, principles and strategies for effective conflict management</p>
Additional costs
URGD/PGCW/NAWD
Other study costs
<p>Students may incur these additional costs, which are not invoiced by the university, in order to complete the course. </p><ul><li>Textbooks</li></ul>
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning
<p>This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Study load:
Full time<br />Part time
Credit points:
60
AQF level:
8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
Duration (in full time equivalent):
0.5 year
Domestic students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Ballarat - SMB (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p>
International students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p>
CRICOS code:
0102153
Course coordinator:
<p>Lauren Zeuschner</p>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: GC4 - C3.3/MK1.2/O3.2/R2.5