The Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling) is designed to teach you how to provide services to assist people faced with debt and other financial issues. You can build on your existing knowledge and experience of the community services industry.

You will gain skills in client assessment, specialist casework, community networking and engagement. You will also learn about how social and systematic issues and the current political climates impact on consumers.

• Location:
  City Flinders and Industry
• Faculty:
  Faculty of Workforce Development
• School:
  School of Health and Community Services
• Study mode:
  Part Time
• Delivery mode:
  Class Contact, On campus, Industry, Working in the Workplace and Burst Mode
• Course code:
  CHC52108
• Duration:
  2 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here to search for courses available to non-residents

How to apply

• financial counsellor
• rural financial counsellor
• senior financial counsellor

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

This qualification applies to financial counselling, which is a specialist service assisting people faced with debt and other financial issues. This work requires skills in:

• Client assessment and related case work, referral and intervention skills, including consumer advocacy
• Community networking, community engagement and education and systemic advocacy
• Understanding of social and systemic issues that impact on financial counselling clients
• Understanding of the concepts of chronic poverty and financial hardship
• Knowledge of basic community law skills including familiarity with a number of Consumer Law Acts relating to credit and debt issues affecting clients and their rights and obligations
• Knowledge of the application of related Acts such as the Social Security Act, and other legislations relating to human rights
• Financial counsellors require essential knowledge and skills to work within casework, community development and social justice contexts
• Knowledge, paralegal skills and competencies especially with regard to consumer low credit and debt issues affecting clients and their rights and obligations
• Awareness of current political climate and impact on low income and vulnerable consumers
• Casework, community development and social justice contexts.

Core National Units

• Advocate for Clients

  Unit code

  CHCAD401D

• Develop and Implement Community Programs

  Unit code

  CHCCD404D

• Work Effectively in the Community Sector

  Unit code

  CHCCS411B

• Work Within a Structured Counselling Framework

  Unit code

  CHCCSL501A

• Apply Specialist Interpersonal and Counselling Interview Skills

  Unit code

  CHCCSL502A

• Facilitate the Counselling Relationship

  Unit code

  CHCCSL503A

• Support Clients in Decision-Making Processes

  Unit code

  CHCCSL507A

• Reflect and Improve Upon Counselling Skills

  Unit code

  CHCCSL509A

• Identify and Apply Technical Information to Assist Clients With Financial Issues

  Unit code

  CHCFIN501A

• Facilitate the Financial Counselling Process

  Unit code

  CHCFIN502A

• Develop and Use Financial Counselling Tools and Techniques

  Unit code

  CHCFIN503A

Required Additional Units

• Use Relevant Legislation in Response to Client Needs

  Unit code

  CHCLEG411A

• Contribute to OHS Processes

  Unit code

  HLTOHS300A

• Provide Systems Advocacy Services

  Unit code

  CHCAD603A

VU Selected Electives

• Develop, Facilitate and Monitor All Aspects of Case Management

  Unit code

  CHCCM503C

• Work Effectively With People Experiencing or at Risk of Homelessness

  Unit code

  CHCCH427A

• Assess the Needs of Clients With Problem Gambling Issues

  Unit code

  CHCGMB502A

• Develop, Implement and Promote Effective Workplace Communication

  Unit code

  CHCCOM504A

• Provide Interventions to Meet the Needs of Consumers With Mental Health and Aod Issues

  Unit code

  CHCMH408B

• Work Effectively With Culturally Diverse Clients and Co-Workers

  Unit code

  HLTHIR403B

• Work Effectively With Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander People

  Unit code

  HLTHIR404B

• Work Effectively in Rural Financial Counselling

  Unit code

  CHCFIN504A

• Develop Climatic Risk Management Strategies

  Unit code

  RTE5523A

• Develop and Review a Business Plan

  Unit code

  RTE5902A

• Plan and Monitor Production Processes

  Unit code

  RTE5912A

• Prepare and Monitor Budgets and Financial Reports

  Unit code

  RTE5916A

To gain entry into CHC52108 Diploma of Community Services (Financial counselling) it is recommended that candidates have sufficient relevant work experience to indicate likely success at this level of qualification in a job role involving:

• The self-directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in some areas

• The exercise of independent judgement and decision-making

• The application of relevant technical and other skills.

To gain the qualification CHC52108 Diploma of Community Services (Financial counselling)17 units must be completed including 11 cores units and 6 elective units.

• TAFE: NA
• Year 12: Completion of VCE and 1 year of Relevant Community Sector experience.
• International: NA
• Mature: 1 year of Relevant Community Sector experience. Demonstrate knowledge and technical financial skills as assessed by the University.
• Other: Relevant Community Sector experience. Demonstrate knowledge and technical financial skills as assessed by the University.