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Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support (Z0C)

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Overview (2027)

Key Information

Duration

Minimum 0.5 years, up to a maximum of 2 years.

This course is available to study as both part-time or full-time
Duration
Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Online
Semester 1, Semester 2

"The Applied Health and Community Support course has provided me with an added professional edge to my new role in consumer representation, honing my skills for industry specific interviews, designing business models and pitches for quality and safety in healthcare, and report writing. My experience with this course has boosted my confidence to further my education and pursue my dream career.”

– Graduate, Applied Health and Community Support

The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support provides a contemporary foundation for working in the social and community services sector.

Working with industry experts, this course has been designed to build the core skills, capabilities and practices required to meet consumer, community and workforce needs, including self-awareness, resilience, advocacy, working in enabling and empowering ways, and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.

Reflecting on your own values and beliefs, you will expand your awareness of self and others and develop the understanding, skills and relationships required to provide quality, person-centred support.

You will explore current trends, changes and challenges in the sector and apply principles of continuous quality improvement to achieve positive outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

The curriculum focuses on applied learning opportunities, where you will engage with sector leaders, service consumers, organisations and communities to explore and respond to real-world issues. Via interviews, scenarios, case-studies, discussions and a virtual community, you will practice applying your skills and understanding to real-world contexts. This course is suited to people interested in pursuing a career in community support; those already working in the social and community service sectors looking to upskill, as well as school leavers interested in starting an exciting new career in the sector.

  • 1 Engage in strength-based collaborations with individuals, families, service providers and communities to create a foundation for community service practice and promote positive community support outcomes
  • 2 Apply community support principles and practices to diverse situations and contexts
  • 3 Use reflection, communication and problem-solving skills to guide planning, decision-making, service delivery and quality improvement in community support systems and services.

Practice-based, experiential learning and portfolio development is a key component of the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support. In order to develop key transferable practitioner skills, you will be exposed to authentic and engaging learning experiences designed to develop your understanding of work and the workplace. The work-based components will be tailored to individual student circumstances.

If you are currently employed, you will be encouraged to apply and complete relevant assessments within your work environment. If you don't have access to a relevant work environment, you will be provided with authentic simulated experiences.

You will be introduced to:

  1. Different methods of and approaches to practice;
  2. How issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace and;
  3. The role of reflection and deliberative thinking in developing workplace-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations.

Career outcomes

The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support is a great starting point for those interested in a career in the community sector with or without prior experience. You’ll be building the foundations for a fulfilling career providing care, help and support to people from all walks of life.

The Community Services industry is one of the largest industry areas in Australia and is projected to continue to grow by 19% to 2033 as job demands increase*. Potential career opportunities exist in the voluntary, private, not-for-profit, non-government and/or government sectors in health and community services. Roles include team leaders, coordinators, supervisors, service managers, coaches, service navigators, and community development/engagement officers.

*Employment Projections, May 2023 - May 2033.

Course structure

Completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support comprises 4 x 12.5 credit point units:

  • 1 x core unit
  • 3 x elective units

Please note: If you commence the course in Semester 2, you will only be able to study part-time, as the core unit and some elective units are not offered in Semester 2.

Entry requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option. 

Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.

Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)

This course does not use ATAR as part of the admission process. To be an eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.

Domestic applicants with higher education study

To be eligible for an offer, you must have:

  • Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one unit of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level units completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any units, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
  • Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).

Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study

To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a completed Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline.

Applications on the basis of work or life experience

Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.

Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

Passes in units in other incomplete courses in this University or another approved tertiary institution may be credited towards the undergraduate certificate and a course plan developed to detail the units required by the student to qualify for the undergraduate certificate. The maximum credit granted will be in accordance with the limits stated in the Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance.

Students completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support are eligible for advanced standing for 50 credit points (4 x 12.5 credit point units) in the Diploma of Applied Health and Community Support, and Diploma of Applied Business.

Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $5,215.30

How is this calculated?

This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average part-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.

These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.

HECS-HELP loans

You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.

Domestic scholarships

Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including: those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.

For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please refer to scholarships.

Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.

Continuing students

If you are a continuing student, please contact UniConnect for fee scholarship information relevant to your enrolment.

Course year 2027

View 2026 course information

View 2025 course information

View previous years course information

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Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

Domestic

13 8827 (13 UTAS)

International

+61 3 6226 6200

Email

Course.Info@utas.edu.au

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