South Metropolitan TAFE
6 months
Become a qualified welfare support worker with job-ready skills in family support, crisis intervention, and mental health services. This course prepares you to make a real difference supporting vulnerable individuals and families across government, local councils, hospitals, and non-government agencies.
You must be able to work with a National Police Clearance free of criminal conviction and obtain a Working With Children Check prior to work placement. Strong English communication skills are essential for working with clients, families, and community members. You should be able to perform manual lifting tasks in personal care work and be prepared to work through confronting content including sexual abuse, childhood trauma, domestic violence, and substance abuse issues. Determination, patience, tolerance, resilience, empathy, and a positive attitude are critical personal attributes. You will need basic computer literacy and access to a device for online study components. Year 11 WACE General English and OLNA, or NAPLAN 9 Band 8, or equivalent Certificate II or III qualification is required.
Core units cover facilitating client interests and rights, using communication to build relationships, recognizing and responding to domestic and family violence, working with diverse people, working legally and ethically, developing collaborative partnerships, and following safe work practices for direct client care. Elective units allow specialization in areas such as alcohol and other drugs context, individual service planning and delivery, brief interventions, crisis situations, behaviors of concern, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety, social and emotional wellbeing assessment, and identifying children at risk. The course includes approximately 120 hours of mandatory work placement in professional community services settings.
South Metropolitan TAFE is a leading vocational education provider in Western Australia with experienced professional lecturers specializing in community services. The college offers flexible delivery options including full-time, part-time, online, and blended learning to accommodate diverse student needs. SM TAFE actively promotes graduate employment to key industry partners and assists students in developing relationships with potential employers through structured work placements. The institution provides comprehensive student support services, including language and literacy support, and maintains strong connections with community services organizations across Western Australia.
Graduates can pursue careers as welfare support workers, family support workers, case workers, domestic violence workers, and outreach officers in government departments, local councils, hospitals, and non-government welfare agencies. The qualification provides a pathway to further study in the Diploma of Community Services for those seeking advanced qualifications. Qualified professionals are in high demand across the community services sector, with opportunities to specialize in youth work, mental health support, child protection, or substance abuse counselling. Employment is not guaranteed, but SM TAFE provides career planning and job search assistance through Jobs and Skills Centres.
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