Program Overview

Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

The Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in early childcare. This course is ideal for those currently employed as, or eligible to work as, a Nominated Supervisor, Director, Coordinator, Manager, or similar in an ACECQA-approved service.

Course Overview

This diploma has been designed to support the knowledge and skills needed by ACECQA-approved services, including leadership and mentoring, change management, service coordination, innovation, legislation, and compliance, business operation skills, risk assessment, and finance.

Course Details

• Course ID: CHC62015
• Study Option: Full or Part-Time
• How You'll Learn: Blended: Online & Workplace
• How Long:
  • Full-time: 52 weeks - 8 study hours/week + 2 practical days/week
  • Part-time: 104 weeks - 4 study hours/week + 1 practical day/week
• Practical Hours: None

What You'll Learn

Upon completion of this course, graduates will have strengths in:

• Leadership Confidence: Lead teams and services with clarity, professionalism, and strategic vision.
• Operational Management: Oversee daily operations, resources, and service delivery with efficiency.
• Team Development: Build and support high-performing teams through coaching and supervision.
• Financial Oversight: Manage budgets and funding aligned to organizational goals.
• Strategic Planning: Create and implement long-term plans that drive impact.
• Compliance Knowledge: Apply industry standards, regulations, and legal frameworks with confidence.

Core Skills for Real-World Success

The course covers topics such as leading quality improvement in services, diversity and ethics in leadership, recruitment and human resource strategies, financial planning and risk management, performance management and team development, and strategic planning and innovation.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for:

• Centre Directors, Nominated Supervisors, and Coordinators
• Educators stepping into operational or organizational leadership roles
• Professionals managing early childhood services or wider community sector programs

What Will You Learn?

By completing this course, you will be able to:

• Lead teams and manage workplace performance
• Oversee budgets, risk, and compliance in community services
• Apply strategic and business planning
• Implement quality frameworks and continuous improvement
• Develop and lead workplace diversity strategies
• Manage people performance and build innovation

Course Inclusions

• Qualified trainer support with regular workplace visits
• Nationally recognized advanced diploma upon completion
• Tools and templates for real-world application
• Practical experience in a leadership role must be employed in a suitable role

Prerequisites

• Currently working or volunteering in a management or leadership role
• Access to real workplace projects for assessment purposes
• Strong literacy, communication, and problem-solving skills required
• Access to a computer and internet to use learning resources, complete, and submit assessments

Course Structure

There are 13 units in this course, including:

• CHCECE052 Plan service and supports for children and families
• CHCECE051 Promote equity in access to the service
• CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance
• CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity
• BSBRSK501 Manage risk
• BSBFIM601 Manage finance
• CHCMGT001 Develop, implement and review quality framework
• BSBMGT608 Manage innovation and continuous improvement
• BSBINN601 Lead and manage organisational change
• CHCMGT003 Lead the work team
• CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
• CHCPOL002 Develop and implement policy
• CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Assessment

Skills are checked through quizzes, written tasks such as reports or reflections, projects like planning activities or events, role-plays that practice real-life scenarios, workplace observations, and feedback from supervisors or mentors.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue roles such as:

• Nominated Supervisor under National Law
• Centre Director or Service Manager
• Area or Operations Manager
• Coordinator Early Childhood Service or Outside School Hours Care

Pathways

Finishing this course opens the door to moving onto university-level studies.