Overview (2027)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 0.5 years, up to a maximum of 2 years.
Location
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
– 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.
Study without tuition fees in 2027
For domestic students, the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support is offered with 100% tuition fee scholarship for students commencing in 2027. This means you pay NO tuition fees.
- 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:
- Different methods of and approaches to practice;
- How issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace and;
- 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.
This unit explores identity and diversity in the context of individuals, their lived experiences and the supports that contribute to health, wellbeing, inclusion and participation. Through self-awareness and critical reflection, you will examine your own values, beliefs and self-care needs,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 |  |  |  | |
- Key:
On-campus- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit introduces you to social justice, human rights and decolonising perspectives that underpin social work practice. You will explore how social, cultural, historical and structural factors shape inequality and influence the lived experiences of diverse people and communities. You…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for HGW111 Introduction to Community and Social Work Practice
In this unit, you will consider how individuals, families, and communities understand and experience health and wellbeing. Barriers and enablers of health and wellbeing will be explored, with emphasis placed on vulnerable, marginalised and isolated population groups. You will examine…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for ZAC102 Foundations of Health and Wellbeing
In this unit, you will explore and compare different models of service design, articulation and delivery and how they influence health and wellbeing outcomes for diverse population groups. With a focus on rights, self-determination and strengths-based approaches, you will investigate…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for ZAC103 Contemporary Support in Health and Community Services
This unit will introduce you to the way in which health and community services are organised, integrated, funded and governed in Australia. This unit is contextualised to reforms in Australia's health and community services system, emphasising a shift in focus…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for ZAC105 Health and Community Services in Australia
This unit will introduce you to the quality, safety and regulatory systems that govern service delivery, reporting and accreditation. Principles, policies, standards and guidelines will be considered in the context of the worker, the consumer and the organisation. A cycle…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for ZAC106 Quality Systems and Practices in Health and Community Services
This unit examines the foundations of mental health and wellbeing for individuals, families and communities. Your learning will be underpinned by models of consumer engagement, social inclusion and human rights. Using a bio-psycho-social and systems-thinking approach, you will critically examine…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Support services, both mainstream and specialised, are adopting contemporary disability practices to enable self-determination, choice and control by people with disability. This unit examines the evolution of disability practice with particular emphasis on the reforms arising from the Disability Royal…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for ZAC118 Contemporary Disability Practice
In this unit you will explore how different cultural understandings and models influence and shape how we interpret the world around us, perceive ourselves and relate to other people. You will build your cultural capability (knowledge, skills and attitudes) through…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit provides you with opportunities to develop various work-ready, transferable, and professional skills and attributes that are highly sought by employers. In addition, it allows you to explore contemporary strategies and approaches that are often used in day-to-day employment…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Semester 2 | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
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: $5,038
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
Domestic students
The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support is available with 100% HECS tuition fee and SSAF scholarship for eligible domestic students studying in 2027. This means you can have NO fees to pay.
Fee scholarship details
For domestic students studying in 2027, we are pleased to offer this degree with a 100% HECS fee and SSAF scholarship. This scholarship is not available for OUA students.
This scholarship is valid for students admitted and commencing this course in 2027 provided the following eligibility criteria are met. If you are eligible, the HECS and SSAF scholarship will be automatically applied upon enrolment. This scholarship is valid for units offered in 2027 only.
- You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident (i.e. eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place [CSP]).
- You are enrolled in the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support and commence study 2027.
- You must be enrolled in a minimum of one unit and must remain enrolled until after the University Census Date relevant to the semester of study. If you are on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA), you are exempt from this requirement for the duration of your approved LOA.
- To retain this fee scholarship, you must engage with your enrolled units. If you have not engaged and receive a result of AN (Absent deemed failed) for all enrolled units in a given study period, will not retain the scholarship/discount from the following study period onward. You cannot then apply to have the scholarship/discount reinstated.
- Not be excluded from the course based on academic progress or misconduct.
If I'm eligible, when will my scholarship be applied?
If eligible, we will endeavour to apply your scholarship within 14 days of your enrolment, and it will be applied no later than census day of your commencing study period. This can mean that between your enrolment and the scholarship being applied, you may see the full unit cost, including SSAF, reflected in eStudent.
If you have questions about your enrolment or scholarship, please contact us at course.info@utas.edu.au.
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Continuing students
If you are a continuing student, please contact UniConnect for fee scholarship information relevant to your enrolment.
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