Associate Degree in Disability and Community Practice

Why study Disability and Community Practice at Flinders

Develop the knowledge and skills to shape an inclusive society

Become job ready, faster. Equip yourself with work-relevant skills and knowledge to help people with disability live flourishing lives.

This Associate Degree is available to students seeking a program which will provide foundation knowledge to support their professional development in the field.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.

Domestic

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International Student

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Australia or New Zealand.

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Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

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Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

None

2025 selection rank

60.00

Guaranteed selection rank

65.00

TAFElink

Certificate IV or above

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

249011 (Bedford Park) 284021 (City)

Delivery mode

In person:

– Bedford Park

Online: Yes - plus placement/intensive

Duration

2 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)
Deferrable: Yes

Annual indicative fee

2026 : $15,073 (CSP)

Start dates

– March
– July

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Apply via SATAC

249011 (Bedford Park)

Why study Disability and Community Practice at Flinders

Help promote the rights of people with disability and their families to experience emotional wellbeing and good life quality.
Your focus on promoting the positive rights of people with disability will help build an effective inclusive and respectful workforce.
The Associate Degree is two years of full-time study (or the part-time equivalent) meaning you can head into the workforce with a solid understanding of the disability field and a suite of skills to help people with disability live flourishing lives.
You can choose to continue studying in our Bachelor of Disability and Community Inclusion or Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education programs with full credit for your study.
Study anywhere in Australia, with all topics available online.

Your career

Apply your skills and knowledge to a wide range of contexts in disability, health and human services fields.

Potential occupations

skilled disability practitioner
program coordinator
disability employment consultant
supervisor or team leader
learning facilitator
educator

Potential employers

disability support services
government sector/NDIS
non-government agencies
private sector
self-employment

What you will study

First year

A typical first year may include:

topics which build foundation skills, understanding how systems work, introduction to a range of contexts, and making connections between theory and practice
core topics include perspectives on disability, introduction to disability and neurodiversity, research and study skills 1, disability across the life course, introduction to communication diversity and support needs, critical issues in disability practice, and the disability landscape.
option topic where students can select from a range of topics across education, health, innovation, government, sociology, women's studies, and psychology.

Second year

A typical second year may include:

topics which focus on building skills as a competent practitioner, and applying foundation skills in a professional context
core topics include practicum 1 (100 hour placement), introduction to principles of learning and instruction, employment and disability, research and study skills 2, advocacy and working in partnership, instructional strategies, professional ethics, and disability: health and wellbeing.

View study program

Students may be eligible for credit for the 1st year option topic if they have completed (within the past 10 years) a Certificate IV, Diploma or topic/subject in another University course that meets the learning outcomes of this course.

Apply for credit transfer

Practical experience

This course equips you with foundational work-integrated knowledge and skills that can be applied to a range of disability and related health and human service environments. One practicum placement is included (in second year), where students will be supervised by a qualified practitioner in a supported environment.

Opportunities for interstate and overseas placements may be available.

What you will need

Before commencing a placement, you will need to undertake some essential pre-placement checks. View further information about these requirements.

ATAR and Student Profile Information

ATAR and Selection Rank profile

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2025. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published

ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds	ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors	Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer	84.95	88.40
Median rank to receive an offer	67.82	73.50
Lowest rank to receive an offer	64.20	68.50

Student Profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2025 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

Applicant background (Semester 1, 2025)	Number of students	Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	18	40%
Vocational education and training (VET) study	14	31%
Work and life experience	<5	<5
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	<5	<5
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test)	0	0
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways)	<5	<5
International Students	6	13%
All students	45	100%

How to apply

Choose your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Apply via SATAC

249011 (Bedford Park)

Apply to transfer internally

Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.

Admission pathways

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous Higher Education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through Adult Entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

For applicants using their SACE (Year 12) results (or equivalent), entry is subject to achieving a minimum selection rank of 60.

Explore our pathways

How to apply

Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Associate Degree in Disability and Community Practice

Why study Disability and Community Practice at Flinders

Fast facts

Why study Disability and Community Practice at Flinders