An Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management is an ideal qualification for managers working in a range of community sector industries. Whether you work in health, aged care, child care or another community sector, this course will give you the skills and knowledge to advance your career. You’ll develop your leadership abilities and feel confident working for a range of organisations or taking on a new project. This course will improve your business skills so you can manage all aspects of your community sector organisation.

The Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management covers a range of topics to help you succeed in the community sector. You’ll learn how to manage finances and lead your team through organisational change. You’ll explore ways to manage risk, promote diversity and push for continuous improvement in your organisation. This course also allows you to choose elective subjects such as creating partnerships with specialist support providers, case management and resolving complaints.

Working in community sector management is a great career choice for anyone who enjoys supporting other people. If you enjoy working in a community-based industry and helping people reach their goals, this could be an excellent pathway for you. You’ll need strong leadership skills and have to be a good communicator. It’s important that you are organised and have good time management skills. You’ll need to be able to plan ahead and should be able to handle several tasks at once.

An Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management is an ideal course of study for the following careers:

Community Development Manager

A Community Development Manager works to improve community facilities and services. They usually focus on a specific area and lead a team to develop solutions to a community’s needs. They’ll identify the issues facing an area and work with other organisations to make improvements. They might look at issues such as employment, housing, welfare, local services and public areas. Community Development Managers are often employed by local councils but may also work for a private business or a not-for-profit organisation.

Care Manager

A Care Manager looks after the daily running of a residential care facility. They might manage a nursing home, a group home for people with a disability or another kind of residential care centre. Care Managers lead a team of support workers and may have to organise training, rostering and recruiting new staff. They manage the financial aspects of running a care facility and ensure the centre is compliant with current legislation and standards. Care Managers also liaise with clients, families and other support services.

Higher education pathways

An Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management is an ideal qualification if you want to further your career in the community sector. You may decide to specialise your studies to suit your career plans with courses such as a Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) or a Diploma of Community Services (Social Housing). You could also expand your skills and knowledge in a particular area with a Diploma of Mental Health or a Diploma of Youth Work.

If you decide to further your studies you could enrol in a university degree such as a Bachelor of Community Services or a Bachelor of Human Services. A university degree can expand your knowledge of community sector management and allow you to take on a position with more responsibility. You may also be able to broaden the range of jobs you are qualified for. You may be able to use an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management as a pathway to these courses.

Getting started

If you’re interested in taking on an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management, make sure you request information from a range of course providers. It’s important you gather details on the duration of the course, costs, any prerequisites and the content the course will cover. There are usually some differences in the way providers deliver their courses so finding out all the information will make it easier to compare providers and find the right course for you.

Written by Jodie Magrath
Jodie Magrath
Jodie is a freelance writer with a background in communication and journalism. She’s spent almost 20 years working in roles such as Special Projects Writer and Publications Officer.