You Are Supported by a Committed Team

The standard of community services education set by the Institute is exceptionally high. All Institute education advisers, facilitators and assessors have their principal qualifications in relevant community services fields and several years practical occupational experience combined with recognised instructional skills. 

The Institute sets the benchmark for service and support in flexible learning.  Our dedicated team offer a complete external study support system which you can access as you need to.

External doesn't mean distant 

Whilst we specialise in external education, support is always close at hand through our national network of Student Support Centres. No matter where you live there's a Student Support Centre in close proximity to assist you with your needs. Even if you relocate, you can access services through the local Student Support Centre to enjoy the same friendly local support.

Toll Free Study Assistance with qualified Education Advisers

You have unlimited access to the Institute's Toll Free 1300 Study Assistance Line. Our qualified Education Advisers are available between 9am to 5pm E.S.T. Monday to Friday to provide you with friendly educational support. Their focus is to support you throughout your studies so you are able to graduate in the time frame you set.

Practical Experience

The courses are structured to ensure you graduate with a high level of practical skill so you can apply your knowledge and skills with confidence. All Institute c ourses include a number of compulsory practical components covering a range of topics relevant to your course.   

Because we have students who live anywhere in Australia, and indeed the world, we have a variety of options to enable timely and effective completion of the practical components. Seminars give you the opportunity to apply the theory you have learned in contemporary, simulated workplace and occupational scenarios. To help facilitate your learning, our seminars use scenarios relating to contemporary community service settings and provide a wonderful forum for group discussion and interaction. Seminars are held regularly in most capital cities throughout Australia.

If you are not able to attend seminars for whatever reason, you can complete the practical components through alternate means. You may choose to attend a one-on-one or small group session with a private assessor. We have qualified assessors available in many regional areas of Australia to assist students complete their practical components.

You can also complete most practical components by recording a demonstration of your skills and sending in to us. We have detailed guidelines to assist students compile their recordings and develop effective scenarios to demonstrate their skills.

Work Placements

Institute courses** require you to spend some time in a community services setting where you participate in normal workplace activities to demonstrate your competence in particular skills.  This is very important in community services training as it helps you to transfer your skills into a real workplace setting.    

We provide comprehensive guidelines on what you need to achieve during your work placement and the documentation to send in to us at the completion of your work placement. 

While you are able to choose where you would like to complete your work placement, the Institute will need to agree that the placement and what you will be doing in the workplace is suitable to the requirements of your course.  We will also provide assistance in liaising with a suitable workplace if you are having difficulty finding a suitable agency.

Our Education Advisors will also liaise with the agency where you are undertaking your placement to ensure you will be suitably supervised in the workplace, that you are given sufficient opportunity to participate in the workplace, and that your supervisor at the agency is clear on what you need to achieve during your placement.

While we recommend at what stage of your course to start your placement, it is between you and the agency as to how many hours you spend in the workplace and the days and times you work.  This means you are able to fit your placement around your current work, family and lifestyle commitments.

Many students also find they like to continue with volunteering in the agency after they have finished the course requirements of the placement as it continues to enhance their studies and can lead to paid employment after they have finished their course.

**except the Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling)

Tutorials

Tutorials are an optional study support service available at many Student Support Centres and provide you with support for each written workbook. If you are unable to attend a tutorial, you are invited to call our Toll Free Study Assistance Line to have your questions answered over the phone.

Institute Web Site

To receive online study support, you are able to contact an Education Advisor via email or through the Institute's website at www.aics.net.au.  The site also includes information for you about studying your course, how to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning or Mutual Recognition, and when the next seminar is being held at your Student Support Centre.

Unique Resources to expand your learning

Capitalising on the accessibility of the internet, the Institute has developed two services to compliment your studies.

The Institute's official blog, available at www.aics.net.au, assists you with accessing the latest information about community services and what's happening in the industry.  And the Institute's ezine, Community News, is published each fortnight and provides you with informative community services articles, professional development and networking opportunities, and latest news.

Students