Chaplaincy & Community Services

Diploma of Community Services and Diploma of Chaplaincy

CRICOS: 094095K

The Double Diploma of Community Services and Chaplaincy allows students to complete two awards at once. This program provides a foundational knowledge and skills in both community services and chaplaincy. The course prepares graduates to apply integrated practical skills and theoretical concepts from a Christian worldview with integrity, professional knowledge, and strong social skills.

Course Duration
1.5 years full time, up to 5 years part time
Study Modes
Online Recorded, Online Live, Mixed Mode, Online Intensive, Live Intensive
Study Locations
Online
Start Dates
March (S1), Aug (S2), November (Summer)
12

What is the Diploma of Community Services and Diploma of Chaplaincy?

The Diploma of Community Services and Diploma of Chaplaincy is a combined study program designed to give students essential skills in supporting individuals, families, and communities. Students learn how to apply person-centred care, pastoral support, and professional practice across a range of settings, guided by a Christian worldview and shaped for meaningful impact.

Who is this for?

This course is ideal for individuals who feel called to support others through practical care, advocacy, and pastoral presence. It suits those seeking a strong foundation in both community services and chaplaincy, whether starting a new career or upskilling for frontline roles. If you want to integrate Christian values with real-world service and make a meaningful impact in diverse community settings, this double diploma is for you.

Outcomes

Graduates develop comprehensive knowledge of community services practice and contemporary scholarship within a Christian worldview framework. Graduates gain strong analytical and communication skills to examine complex social issues and articulate solutions to diverse audiences. The program emphasizes both independent and collaborative work, preparing students to apply disciplinary knowledge professionally across varied community services contexts. Through reflective practice and ongoing self-evaluation, graduates are equipped to make meaningful contributions to individuals, communities, and social change initiatives with competence, compassion, and professional integrity.

Course Structure

Subjects & Units

Core
7 Subjects
70 Credit Points
Faith and Purpose ACA001

Discover the foundations of faith and how it relates to one's worldview and purpose. Students will explore the Christian story from Scripture and express ideas of their own faith, examine how faith shapes views on the meaning and purpose of life, the value of humanity and ideas of human flourishing. Expand your perspective in this core subject and understand the significance of faith in all areas of life.

Chaplaincy Ministry MIN013

In this unit, students will start their journey into providing pastoral and spiritual care and develop the skills and understanding of how the chaplain is formed and developed considering; ethical and legal considerations; learning effective communication skills; boundaries; and the value and importance of self care and professional supervision.

Theories and Practices in Chaplaincy MIN014

This unit continues to build on the previous integration of your skills, knowledge and understanding of chaplaincy practices and theories and how to assess clients needs, ensure ethical and legal consideration and working with diverse people within a chaplaincy and pastoral care role.

Chaplaincy Support in Practice MIN015

This unit builds on the previous learning and knowledge of chaplaincy and pastoral care and provides students with further understanding of responding to clients with issues such as grief and loss; mental health concerns and identify individuals at risk of suicide to ensure immediate and ongoing safety as required.

Foundations of Community Services SSC020

Foundations of Community Services explores essential competencies for working across diverse community contexts, including mental health, disability, aged care, and child protection. Students examine trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices while engaging with Indigenous perspectives and ethical frameworks. The subject emphasizes understanding socio-cultural diversity, developing multidisciplinary approaches, and building personal wellbeing strategies essential for effective, sustainable practice as a community services professional across the lifespan.

Foundational Communication Skills SSC021

Foundational Communication Skills develops essential interpersonal competencies for social science practice. Students explore human behavior, verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, and core helping conditions including empathy and active listening. Through examining micro-skills such as questioning, reflecting, and paraphrasing, students build culturally responsive communication abilities. The subject emphasizes self-reflection, managing challenging conversations, and ethical practice across diverse social contexts while maintaining personal wellbeing as an effective helper.

Choose 1 of the following subjects
Professional Practice in Chaplaincy EXP009

This unit is the intersection of combining previous experience and knowledge developed throughout the course with practical on the job placement opportunities to work as a chaplain or pastoral carer in a supportive workplace environment providing valuable insights and understanding of how a chaplain responds within a professional practice.

Professional Placement – Community Services SSC022

This unit integrates prior learning and experience from the course with practical workplace placement opportunities in community services settings. Students work in supportive environments, gaining valuable insights into professional practice within community-based contexts. The placement develops understanding of how practitioners respond to diverse client needs while applying community service frameworks, ethical standards, and evidence-based approaches in real-world settings.

Electives
5 Subjects
50 Credit Points
Choose 5 of the following subjects
Understanding Trauma SSC010

This valuable unit for professional chaplains and pastoral carers equips students with a trauma informed care framework when responding to people impacted by traumas such as domestic and family violence, disasters, health and life circumstances that have significantly impacted their current or past wellbeing and how to promote resilience, healing and recieve appropriate ongoing support as required.

Understanding Addictions SSC011

This comprehensive unit equips students with the necessary skills to address and support individuals facing various addictions. The subject also covers identifying community resources, implementing ethical practices, and understanding legal concerns. This training is essential for those preparing to offer holistic, informed support in chaplaincy or counselling roles.

Methods of Youth Work SSC012

Through this dynamic unit, students are prepared to effectively engage with young people across various social, historical, economic, legal, and political contexts. This subject teaches essential skills for chaplaincy within both church-based and community settings, emphasising relationship building, collaboration with other agencies, and comprehensive youth service provision.

Group Work SSC015
Psychology of Emotion and Wellbeing SSC110

This is a core subject that introduces students to the fields of psychology, social science and the importance of emotions in human identity. It forms the basis for other more advanced psychology subjects. This subject will allow students to develop a better understanding and management of their emotions. This knowledge is then applied to a professional context, enhancing students' abilities to identify and work appropriately with the emotions of clients in an empathetic and professional manner.

Community Engagement SSC116

Community Engagement explores Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) principles for mobilizing individual and community strengths. Students learn to identify assets, skills, and passions within communities while building collaborative relationships and leadership capacity. The subject emphasizes developing community engagement plans, ethical multidisciplinary practice, and effective referral processes. Through reflective practice, students examine how personal worldview influences community work while maintaining professional wellbeing in Australian and global contexts.

Work-Integrated Learning

Work-Integrated Learning may be undertaken through various Professional Practice and Professional Experience subjects at AC. These subjects seek to create a direct linkage between the learning, skills and values engaged in lectures, and the reflection which occurs when these are applied in real-life settings. These work-based training subjects comprise of instruction, academic assessment and a placement in a workplace for each subject.

To qualify for this course, a candidate will complete at least 1 subject (10 credit points) of Professional Practice. Students are usually required to find their own workplace/ employer/ mentor to be approved by AC.  In some cases, a new aspect within a student’s current paid employment may be suitable as a work placement  

More Information

For more information and details of previous course structures see Student Handbook.

*You can also use the Subject & Unit Search to explore the subjects (including electives) available to enrol in for this course and can filter by subject area and level.
For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate a general understanding of key issues, recent scholarship and practices within chosen discipline area of community services, consistent with a Christian worldview
  • Demonstrate technical and theoretical understanding of research principles and methods, and knowledge of research approaches used in the discipline area of community services.

Skill

Demonstrate the ability to:

  • Identify, analyse and synthesise theoretical knowledge in the discipline area of community services
  • Examine a complex problem or management requirements using appropriate methodologies and theories from the discipline area of community services
  • Analyse and synthesise ideas and theories from other disciplines related to the discipline area of community services
  • Communicate effectively and creatively ideas and perspectives to peers and general audiences in diverse contexts.

Application of knowledge and skills

Demonstrate the ability to:

  • Articulate questions or issues and apply the knowledge and skills developed within the discipline area of community services to develop appropriate solutions
  • Work independently, responsibly and with the level expected in a broad range of professional and community services contexts
  • Collaborate in team projects to make a positive contribution toward social issues
  • Undertake self-reflection and evaluation of performance for the purpose of vocational development

Admission Criteria

Entry Requirements

Recent Secondary Education (with the past 2 years)

Completion of NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) (or the completion of an International Baccalaureate or the interstate or overseas equivalent qualification).

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Applicants whose highest level of study after leaving secondary education is a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course must demonstrate the completion of an AQF Level 3 Certificate III or higher by an authorised institution or registered training organisation for admission into this course.

Higher Education Study

Completion of an AQF Level 5 Higher Education Diploma (or higher) by an authorised institution.

Work and Life Experience – Applicants over 18 who do not meet academic requirements

If you are over the age of 18 at the time of commencement, you can apply for admission into this course on the basis of provisional entry and complete the provisional entry qualifying period to become a full candidate of this course.

This is an alternate pathway for applicants who do not meet other academic requirements.

IELTS 5.5 or equivalent (recommended)

For prospective students from a non-English speaking background, an IELTS Score of 5.5 (or demonstrated equivalent English proficiency) is recommended.

Additional Information

Proof of Identity

Applicants must submit a proof of identity document for every application. Accepted forms of identification:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Passport (current and valid)

A supporting document must be submitted in addition tot he identity document if an applicant’s name is different on their primary document. (Marriage Certificate or Change of Name Certificate)

Applicants may be required to provide a certified copy of their identity documents upon request.

AC does not accept a driver’s license or photo card as sufficient ID.

Statement of Purpose

Applicants must submit a Statement of Purpose (minimum 150 words) explaining why you would like to be considered for entry into this course, what relevant experience or previous study you have in this area, what your understanding of the course is, and what it is you hope to gain from studying this course.

Letter of Endorsement

Working With Children Check (WWCC)

Applicants must provide a valid Working With Children Check (or state-based or overseas equivalent) for admission into this course of study.

Students will be classified as a ‘volunteer’ in Education.

Students must also submit a Police Check before enroling into a placement subject.

How to Apply

  • Get Started

    Read through the admissions criteria and ensure you meet the entry requirements.

  • Apply

    It’s easy! Apply online below or contact us and we can help on 1300 228 355.

  • Offer

    We’ll contact you shortly after to confirm your details and help you through the rest of the process.

Key Dates
Semester 1
Term 1
February / March
Term 2
April
Semester 2
Term 3
July / August
Term 4
November