Community services & care courses
Help improve people’s quality of living
Choose a speciality to explore your study options
Learn how to advance social justice
People are at the heart of community service careers. If you’re naturally compassionate, want to make a real difference, and keen to learn more about the human experience, studying community services and care could be perfect for you.
You'll gain a mix of evidence-based theory and practical knowledge, which will help you land your ideal role in the industry. Start comparing your choices across the different specialisations.
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Popular community services & care degrees
Diploma in Community Welfare and Wellbeing
UndergraduateUNE-CMW-DIP
Contemporary skills for a future-proof career in community care
Gain hands-on skills in communication, casework and interprofessional practice. Build your confidence to work in welfare, advocacy and community roles. Support vulnerable people, particularly in rural and regional areas.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateSCU-SWK-DEG
Get professionally accredited and become a social worker
Study sociology and welfare theory, develop counselling and case management skills, and get to know Indigenous world-views. When you graduate, you’ll be equipped to help individuals and families with housing, rehabilitation, and disability services.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Graduate Certificate in Prevention and Responses to Sexual Violence
PostgraduateQUT-PSV-GCE
Create safer communities through informed prevention and response
Build skills to address sexual violence across diverse community contexts. You’ll learn to analyse research, evaluate programs and communicate critical information. Work towards ending sexual violence. Help others. Pursue social justice.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateGRF-MHS-MAS
Choose a degree that will help you make a difference
Put your passion for people into action when you work for social change and specialise in human services. Choose from a generalist or dissertation stream. Get set for a rich career in health, family law, criminal justice, or children's services.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
Popular community services & care subjects
PostgraduateTUA-EEDUSD400
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 14 Sep 2026
Health and Wellbeing in Social and Cultural Contexts
UndergraduateCUR-NURS1003
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 30 Nov 2026
UndergraduateTAS-FXA101
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 6 Jul 2026, 2 Nov 2026
The Context of the Health and Community Services
UndergraduateUNE-HLTH104
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 19 Oct 2026
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How Open Universities Australia (OUA) works
We partner with leading universities to make higher education easier for everyone to access. We're here to:
Offer you guidance on your course choices
Unlock more flexible study options for you with your university
Ease your mental load by supporting you with your student admin
Why study community services & care online through us?
Get in no matter what
Access quality university courses without needing an ATAR
Make study work for you
Learn all your course theory online before completing any practical placements at a location close to you
Get industry recognition
Choose from courses that are approved by professional bodies, such as the Australian Association of Social Workers
Community services & care careers
There’s a constant need for skilled community services workers, all over the country. Your qualifications could see you supporting those in need across urban, rural, or remote areas.
Industries where graduates work:
Studying a community services and care course can set you up to work in a range of settings, including as a one-on-one carer, in group homes, prisons, community agencies and government departments.
What is it like to pursue a career in the community services?
Roles in community services and care tend to be at once enriching, challenging, and fulfilling. You’ll develop genuine relationships with people from many different walks of life which, in some cases, could change the way you see the world.
You’ll find consistent job opportunities – with demand only set to rise as Australia’s population ages.
You might also be interested in these study areas:
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