What is Community Services in Australia?
Community services are the networks, programs and supports that help people and communities live safer, healthier, more connected lives. The community services sector spans prevention, early intervention and crisis response. If you’re asking, “what are community services?” or “what is community service?”, this guide explains the landscape, careers, and how the University of New England (UNE) can help you study while you work and care.
Defining community services
- Types of services: disability and NDIS supports, aged care, mental health, family and domestic violence, youth work, housing and homelessness, alcohol and other drugs, settlement, justice support, community development and health promotion.
- Who provides them: not‑for‑profits and charities, Aboriginal Community‑Controlled Organisations, social enterprises, local councils, and state and Commonwealth agencies.
How services support individuals and families
- Practical support: case management, coordination and referrals.
- Advocacy: safeguarding rights and access to services.
- Capacity building: community work Australia focuses on local strengths, prevention and inclusion.
- Crisis and recovery: immediate safety, stabilisation and pathways to independence.
From past students
- "It is not just about dealing with individual crisis but working to empower people and reduce inequity"
- "Community services is really the integration and weaving together theories, systems and authentic human connection"
Funding at a glance
Funding is a mix of Commonwealth, State or Territory programs (e.g. DSS, NDIS), local government grants, philanthropic funding and fee‑for‑service arrangements, overseen by service agreements and quality standards.
Career opportunities in the community service sector
Common roles
- Case manager, family support worker, youth worker
- Community development officer, community engagement officer
- NDIS support coordinator, disability practitioner
- Housing and homelessness worker
- Program/project officer, policy officer, service manager
Skills and qualifications
- People skills: communication, cultural humility, trauma‑informed practice.
- Practice skills: assessment, planning, documentation, risk and safeguarding.
- Qualifications: Certificate IV/Diploma (VET), bachelor degrees (e.g. social work, human services, health), postgraduate certificates/diplomas and masters, plus compliance checks (WWCC, police, vaccinations).
Career development
Progress into specialist practice, coordination and leadership, quality and compliance, or policy and sector reform.
UNE’s role in community services education
UNE’s Bachelor of Community Services is a fully online, 3-year degree, accredited by Community Work Australia.
Students who have completed the VET Diploma of Community Services (within the last 10 years) are eligible to apply for admission to the UNE Bachelor of Community Service and receive recognition of prior learning. may also be eligible for recognition of prior learning for the first Field Placement unit.
This means that you would be able to attain the Bachelor of Community Services with 2 years of full-time or 4 years of part-time study, depending upon any units studied in Trimester 3. This provides an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and progress your career in the Community Services sector.
Why study community services with UNE?
- Flexible online delivery with trimester choice and part‑time options
- Credit and recognition of prior learning where applicable
- Work‑integrated learning and practice‑based assessments (where required)
- Academic and career support geared to professionals returning to study
- Strong regional and rural focus with industry connections
UNE’s Bachelor of Community Services offers a range of specialisations (or Minors)
- Aged and Disability Care,
- Children and Young People,
- Community Disaster Resilience,
- Mental Health,
- Criminal Corrections and
- Introduction to Psychological Science.
How UNE prepares you
To ensure our graduates are job-ready, the Bachelor of Community Services focuses on a mix of practical skills development and strong theoretical understanding of community work as well as two field placements of 150 hours and 250 hours respectively.
You’ll build evidence‑based practice, data‑informed decision‑making and leadership capability to step into roles across community services in Australia. Explore UNE’s community services study options and plan the pathway that fits your life.
