Bachelor of Community Services
Australian Qualification Framework: Level 7
Note: International students can submit an expression of interest, as this course is currently pending CRICOS approval.
Overview
The Bachelor of Community Services is designed to provide graduates with a broad and coherent body of knowledge and practical skills to safely and effectively support, advocate for and communicate with clients on a wide range of social welfare matters.
Students will develop and apply the necessary interpersonal and communication skills to work with individuals, families, and communities with diverse needs and backgrounds. Students will learn how to effectively plan, implement and evaluate programs with a focus on inclusive and culturally responsive case management and service provision.
Students gain valuable practical experience through 400 hours of fieldwork across two placements in approved community service agencies.
The Bachelor of Community Services aligns with Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) accreditation standards. Ikon is currently working towards applying for ACWA accreditation to further enhance the value of our course.
Key Information
| Award | Bachelor of Community Services |
| Duration | 3 Year Full Time (or Part Time Equivalent) |
| Study Mode | On Campus* |
| Locations | Melbourne & Sydney Pending CRICOS approval |
| Indicative Start Date | Orientation Week Starts: 10 March 2025 Teaching Period Starts: 17 March 2025 |
| Course Fee | Indicative International Tuition Fee: $64,944 Indicative International Subject Fee: $2,656 |
*International students may study up to one-third of the subjects in a course online. Domestic students may study the full course online.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Community Services course will be able to work in generalist or specialised roles, supporting and empowering vulnerable and disadvantaged clients in community services and government organisations and undertake further learning in these areas.
Professional Recognition
The Bachelor of Community Services aligns with Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) accreditation standards. Ikon is currently working towards applying for ACWA accreditation to further enhance the value of our course.
Course Structure
To successfully complete the Bachelor of Community Services you must successfully complete 24 subjects, totalling 144 credit points points consisting of 22 core subjects and 2 placement subjects. Each subject is designed to provide you with the essential skills and understanding to excel in the field of community services.
The course also includes 2 supervised placement subjects totalling 400 hours at an approved community services agency.
If you plan to study full time, a full-time load is typically 8 subjects per year. For part-time students, you will typically complete 4 subjects per year. Please note that our academic year is structured into three trimesters, each consisting of 11 weeks of teaching followed by an assessment week.
Delivery & Workload
We’ve created a diverse and engaging learning environment for this course. Your study will involve a mix of lectures, skills development workshops, group work, self-directed study and workplace learning. For each subject, allocate about three hours for lectures and tutorials. Additionally, you should allow approximately 10 hours per week, per subject for self-directed study to complete prescribed readings, practice skills, conduct research, and complete assessments at your own pace.
Subjects
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Subject Code: CSW101
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW102
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW103
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW104
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW103
Subject Code: CSW105
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW106
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: CSW103
Subject Code: CSW107
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: CSW102
Subject Code: CSW108
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW201
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW107
Subject Code: CSW202
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW203
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW204
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: 100s
Subject Code: CSW205
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW105
Subject Code: CSW206
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW105
Subject Code: CSW207
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: CSW201
Subject Code: CSW208
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: All CSW100
Subject Code: CSW301
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: CSW206
Subject Code: CSW302
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW303
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW304
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW305
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW306
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW202
Subject Code: CSW307
Credit Points: 6
Subject Code: CSW308
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: All CSW200
Recognition of Prior Learning
At Ikon, your past studies or work experience can be acknowledged through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer.
RPL evaluates your previous skills and experience against the learning outcomes of Ikon subjects, potentially exempting you from studying certain subjects. Credit Transfer allows your previous studies to contribute towards your qualification, granting credits based on matched content and learning outcomes between equivalent qualifications. These pathways could help you to fast track your qualification, reducing study time and tuition fees.
Study Pathways
Students may exit the Bachelor of Community Services with the Diploma of Community Services. There are no exit pathways from the Diploma of Community Services.
Entry Requirements
We welcome students from all circumstances and academic backgrounds to apply for this course. Choose the admission pathway that is most relevant to your educational background.
Domestic Students
International Students
Academic Requirements
Applicants with Higher Education (HE) study must have undertaken a higher education qualification (or, where incomplete, at least a semester of study).
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study must have completed a vocational qualification at Diploma level or higher.
Applicants with Work/Life Experience who left Senior Secondary Education more than two years prior to their application (and have not undertaken VET or HE study since) may gain entry based on professional or work experience and/or any non-formal courses undertaken in preparation for tertiary study or that are relevant to the subject area.
Applicants with recent Senior Secondary Education (within the past two years) must have completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12) or equivalent. For guaranteed entry, applicants must have achieved an ATAR Rank of 60.
Inherent Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate they can meet the inherent requirements needed to successfully complete the course: ethical behaviour, behavioural stability, legal compliance, communication, cognition, relational skills, reflective skills and sustainable performance. To demonstrate this, applicants will need to complete an online questionnaire as part of the application process.
Other Requirements
NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC)
Students delivering supports or services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be required to have a worker screening clearance from the State or Territory in which they plan to undertake placement. In NSW this is called the NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC). Students are required to apply for this clearance in the year prior to their first field placement.
National Criminal Record Check (NCRC)
Students will be required to complete a National Criminal Record Check in their first trimester of enrolment. Students who have lived in another country for 6 months or more must also provide a police check from that country for that period. Students must have a valid NCRC for the duration of each placement.
Working With Children/Vulnerable People Check
Students will be required to hold a current Working With Children/Vulnerable People Check prior to placement from the State or Territory in which they plan to undertake placement. Students are required to apply for this clearance in the year prior to their first field placement.
Vaccinations
Students must meet the immunisation and vaccination requirements of the host placement organisation.
Academic Requirements
Applicants with Higher Education (HE) study must have undertaken a higher education qualification (or, where incomplete, at least a semester of study).
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study must have completed a vocational qualification at Diploma level or higher.
Applicants with Work/Life Experience who left Senior Secondary Education more than two years prior to their application (and have not undertaken VET or HE study since) may gain entry based on professional or work experience and/or any non-formal courses undertaken in preparation for tertiary study or that are relevant to the subject area.
Applicants with recent Senior Secondary Education (within the past two years) must have completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12) or equivalent. For guaranteed entry, applicants must have achieved an ATAR Rank of 60.
Inherent Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate they can meet the inherent requirements needed to successfully complete the course: ethical behaviour, behavioural stability, legal compliance, communication, cognition, relational skills, reflective skills and sustainable performance. To demonstrate this, applicants will need to complete an online questionnaire as part of the application process.
English Language Proficiency
Equivalent IELTS 6.0 (Academic) with no band less than 6.0.
Other Requirements
NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC)
Students delivering supports or services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be required to have a worker screening clearance from the State or Territory in which they plan to undertake placement. In NSW this is called the NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC). Students are required to apply for this clearance in the year prior to their first field placement.
National Criminal Record Check (NCRC)
Students will be required to complete a National Criminal Record Check in their first trimester of enrolment. Students who have lived in another country for 6 months or more must also provide a police check from that country for that period. Students must have a valid NCRC for the duration of each placement.
Working With Children/Vulnerable People Check
Students will be required to hold a current Working With Children/Vulnerable People Check prior to placement from the State or Territory in which they plan to undertake placement. Students are required to apply for this clearance in the year prior to their first field placement.
Vaccinations
Students must meet the immunisation and vaccination requirements of the host placement organisation.
Register Your Interest!