Overview 2023
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
View archived years for this course
For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
"The Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support 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.”
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.
Once you have completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support, if you wish to continue with further study, you can enter into the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support
Study without tuition fees
Domestic students commencing the Undergraduate Certificate in 2023 may be eligible to receive a 100% HECS fee waiver. HECS fee waivers will be automatically applied on enrolment.
Please visit our Certificates page for answers to frequently asked questions about the Job Ready Certificates.
Key contacts
| Current student enrolment questions and advice | UConnect |
| Course Coordinator | Dr Carolyn King |
Learning Outcomes
Practical experience
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 over the next few years 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.
If you complete the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support and wish to continue further study, you can transition into further study, with credit towards an Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support.
*Health Care and Social Assistance, employment projections to May 2024, Department of Employment 2020, Employment Projections.
Course structure
Completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support requires 50 credit points including:
ZAC101
and a choice of three units from the list
ZPP101, ZAC102, ZAC103, ZAC105, ZAC106
If you are starting in 2023 you can find your course planner here – this helps you plan what units to enrol in and when.
Unit list
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
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 individual, the consumer and the organisation. A cycle…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for ZAC106 Quality Systems and Practice in Health and Community Services
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 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Core
This unit will explore diversity in the context of individuals, their unique lives, needs and networks of support. You will use self-awareness to reflect upon your own values, beliefs and self-care needs, and that of others, in order to broaden…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
Applicants who have 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.
Applicants with previous higher education study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) at Associate Degree level or higher at any Australian higher education provider. If an applicant has failed any units, the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.
Applicants with previous VET / TAFE study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed Certificate III or above.
Applications on the basis of work or life experience
This course accepts applications based on work or life experience. Applicants who have not completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but who have relevant work and life experience can complete a personal competency statement.
Credit transfer
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.
Articulation
Students completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support will receive advanced standing for four 12.5 credit point units of the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. 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.
You may also 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 is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
Domestic students
The Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support is available with 100% HECS fee waiver for eligible domestic students commencing study in 2023. This means you can have NO tuition fees to pay.
Fee waiver details
For domestic students commencing study in 2023, we are pleased to offer this degree with a 100% HECS and SSAF fee waiver.
This waiver is valid for students admitted and commencing this course in 2023 provided the eligibility criteria are met. This waiver is valid for units offered in 2023 only.
If you are eligible, the HECS waiver will be automatically applied upon enrolment. The waiver is not available for OUA students.
- 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 2023.
- 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 waiver, 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 waiver/discount from the following study period onward. You cannot then apply to have the waiver/discount reinstated.
- Not be excluded from the course based on academic progress or misconduct.
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries