Bachelor of Community Services (BCS) – CRS1401730

Students in a spirited discussion during their Bachelor of Community Services at Laurus Higher Education Australia

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Community Services (BCS) aims to prepare you to work as community services practitioners, caseworkers, counsellors, research and policy makers and managers in community services.

The course will enable you to apply concepts, theories, and research skills from the social sciences and provide you with opportunities to acquire and develop workplace related skills and knowledge.

Entry Requirements

Course Structure

Intake Dates

Pathways

RPL & Credit Transfer

Entry Requirements

Age requirements

Minimum of 18 years of age on course commencement date.

Qualifications – (One of the following)

To enter this qualification, applicants should have successfully completed any of the following:

Australian secondary education qualification, or equivalent qualification from an overseas institution.
Completed or partly completed qualification at AQF level 5 (Diploma) or above from a higher education institution or an equivalent overseas higher education qualification.
Completed Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification at AQF Level 3 (Certificate III) or above from a vocational education institution or an equivalent overseas vocational education qualification.
Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) percentile rank or equivalent.
Completed foundation studies or preparatory program that is recognised for admission purposes.

English Language Requirement – (one of the following)

Completion of Year 12 in Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Canada or Republic of Ireland.
Successfully completed 2 years (minimum) of study in Australia.
Successful completion of an English Language course approved by LHE from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) provider (Table A in Admissions Procedure).
Academic IELTS: 6.0 with no skills band less than 5.5.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT: 60 (with min 18 in writing), paper based: 78+ for all components.
OET: C for all components.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (PTE-A): 50 (with not less than 50 in subsets reading and writing).
Cambridge English Scale Score (from 2015): 169 (with no sub-score <162).

National Police Check[1]

Required before enrolling in the Professional Placement unit.

Working With Children Check[2]

Required before enrolling in the Professional Placement unit.

Vaccinations

Health based placement providers may require students to undertake various vaccinations before being accepted for placement in their agencies.

[1]Apply for a national police check | Our services | Victoria Police
[2]Working with Children Check | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

Course Structure

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Unit Code	Unit Title	Delivery Mode	Credit points
BCS111	Introduction to Community Services	On-campus	8 pts
BCS112	Interpersonal and Group Communication Skills	On-campus	8 pts
BCS113	Ethical and Professional Practice Frameworks	On-campus	8 pts
BCS114	Human Lifespan Development	Hybrid	8 pts
BCS125	Sociological Perspectives	Hybrid	8 pts
BCS126	Social and Community Psychology	On-campus	8 pts
BCS127	Indigenous and First Nations Perspectives of Community	On-campus	8 pts
BCS128	Case Management in Community Practice	On-campus	8 pts

Unit Code	Unit Title	Delivery Mode	Credit points
BCS211	Legal Systems and Advocacy	Hybrid	8 pts
BCS212	Working with Children, Families and Mental Health	On-campus	8 pts
BCS213	Youth Work, Adolescence and Community Mental Health	On-campus	8 pts
BCS214	Community Development and Social Change	On-campus	8 pts
BCS225	Facilitating Digital Services in Community Services and Health Care (WIL field placement unit of 150 hours)	Community Based	8 pts
BCS226	Trauma-informed Practices in Community Work	On-campus	8 pts
BCS227	Ageing and Aged Care in Society	On-campus	8 pts
BCS228	Culture and Diversity in Communities	On-campus	8 pts

Unit Code	Unit Title	Delivery Mode	Credit points
BCS311	Disabilities and Neurodiversity’s in Community	On-campus	8 pts
BCS312	Gender, Power, and Family Violence	On-campus	8 pts
BCS313	Social and Health Research	On-campus	8 pts
BCS314	Applied Counselling Skills	On-campus	8 pts
BCS325	Social Policy Frameworks	Hybrid	8 pts
BCS326	Leading and Managing Human Services Organisations	Hybrid	8 pts
BCS327	Professional Practice Placement (300 hours)	Community Based	8 pts

Intake Dates

2026		2027
16 Feb 2026		15 Feb 2027
20 July 2026		19 July 2027

Pathways

The Bachelor of Community Services articulates with recognised VET accredited courses in community services, mental health, and youth work. It provides a pathway to develop practice skills in community services work and presents the student with the opportunity to enter a master level course in social sciences, community development, mental health, social work, and allied health professions.

AQF 6 Diploma of Community Services → AQF 7/8 Bachelor of Community Services → AQF 7/8 Master of Social Work or Mental Health or Allied Health.

RPL & Credit Transfer

LHE is committed to the those of lifelong learning and recognises that students may have direct learning and / or work placed experience that mirrors some of the content in our courses. For full details on our approach to advanced standing students should refer to the Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Procedure. Our approach will meet the requirement of external professional bodies with whom the course may be accredited.

The maximum credit allowed is 50%

Why study this course?

Diverse Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue roles in community development, social work, youth services, disability support, mental health services, and more. This diversity allows students to tailor their career to their interests and passions, ensuring meaningful and fulfilling work.

Making a Positive Impact

By addressing social issues, advocating for marginalised populations, and implementing effective interventions, graduates contribute to positive social change and help build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Practical Learning and Industry Experience

BCS programs typically incorporate hands-on learning experiences, including placements and practical projects. These opportunities allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, develop essential skills, and build professional networks.

Learning Outcomes

Bachelor of Community Services’ graduates will be able to:

Consolidate a coherent body of knowledge in community services and the socio-cultural and organisational issues affecting the delivery of community services in Australia and internationally.
Deliberate on the political, economic, and social contexts of community services work.
Exemplify professional communication to diverse peoples and communities in a range of forms and contexts.
Foster a broad range of skills that facilitate critical thinking, reflective practices, information processing, research, and all analytical processes.
Facilitate community programs and activities to support people to overcome difficulties and reach their full potential and wellbeing.
Formulate ongoing professional development to further knowledge and skills and career to benefit service users and the community services sector.

Employment Opportunities

Community workers practice across the full spectrum of human services including:

Family and children’s services.
Child protection.
Family violence.
Alcohol and other drugs.
Youth work.
Community development.
Juvenile justice.

Graduates also have the option to work in the not for profit, for profit and government sectors.

Course Information

Course ID:

CRS1401730

Cricos Code:

118295M

Mode of Delivery:

On-campus

Hybrid – online and in person

Duration:

3 Years full-time
2 semester per year of 12 weeks duration of each

Professional Practice:

150 hours in Year 2 300 hours in Year 3

Tuition Fee:

$60,000 AUD

Non-Tuition Fee:

See Full List of Fees Here

Next Intake:

February 2026

Work integrated learning

Start building your résumé with real industry experience while you study through our highly regarded Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program, guaranteed in all qualifications.

HOW TO apply?

Our Student Experience Team are available to answer student questions, or students might like to attend one of our information events.

research

Review information on our courses and our Institute to ensure that both meet their future learning needs

apply

It’s easy! Apply online below or contact us and we can help on 03 7068 0005.

APPLICATION ASSESSMENT

LHE will review the application to ensure the entry requirements are met. Additional information may be requested.

OFFER LETTER

LHE will send an Offer Letter and a Student Acceptance of Offer Form which should be signed and returned to us.

confirm

On receipt of the Acceptance of Offer Letter and payment of their deposit, students will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

Don't forget to download the course guide or get in touch with us.

Bachelor of Community Services (BCS) – CRS1401730

Course Overview

Entry Requirements

Course Structure

Intake Dates

Pathways

RPL & Credit Transfer

Why study this course?

Learning Outcomes

Course Information

Work integrated learning

HOW TO apply?

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

Quick Links

Information

Contact

VIC