Certificate IV in Housing

North Metropolitan TAFE will offer a Certificate IV in Housing later this year supporting the professionalisation of the social housing sector in WA and better tenant outcomes.

Certificate IV in Housing

The scoping and development of a Certificate IV (Certificate) in Housing for Western Australian students has been completed after Housing Choices Australia (HCA) successfully submitted an Expression of Interest to provide tenancy and property management expertise to North Metropolitan TAFE (NMTAFE).

The HCA consortium comprises of Natalie Sangalli, General Manager Housing Choices WA; Mariana Logan, Housing Services Manager, Foundation Housing; David Pelusey, Director of Community Services and Olivia Ross, Acting Principal Lecturer of Community Services at NMTAFE. Shelter WA is managing and acquitting the project from Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) Peaks Capacity Building funding.

This follows grassroots advocacy from the WA Community Housing sector and strong support from Department of Communities and Minister for Housing; Lands; Homelessness, Local Government, Hon. John Carey and Minister for Training; Water; Youth, Hon. Simone McGurk. Shelter WA welcomes Minister McGurk’s support for the Certificate IV in Housing (CHC42221) being put on scope for delivery in WA and added to the Lower Fees, Local Skills (LFLS) course list and is recognition of the important work of the housing sector. Having the qualification on the LFLS list will assist with the uptake of the qualification in a time where organisational budgets are tight.

WA was one of the few states not to offer the CHC4221 Certificate IV in Housing. While established courses can provide materials to draw upon the program delivery consortium will adapt new and relevant materials to a WA homelessness and social housing setting. To aid this a Certificate IV Steering Group has been established by Shelter WA and is operational to assist the consortium ensure resources are relevant in a WA context and to support the general onboarding of the qualification. The Steering group comprises of representatives from Department of Communities, Community Housing Organisations, NMTAFE, Shelter WA and Community Skills WA.

Comprehensive Learning

The Certificate is obtained after students complete eight core units and seven electives. The nationally recognised course on how to help people access accommodation within the social housing system and how to effectively maintain tenancies safely, securely, and efficiently across both public and community housing spheres. The delivery method and course completion timeframe is currently being explored by the Steering group with a focus on supporting existing workers. It will suit public housing staff, people working in the community housing sector or students wanting to enter expanding areas of work.

Head of Policy and Advocacy at Shelter WA Paula O’Leary says a qualification like the Certificate IV in housing is long overdue. “There is a strong grassroots drive in WA to professionalise the social housing sector in WA and it has long been raised by our member organisations with the ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled and capable staff particularly in the regions,” she said.

“Professionalise the social housing sector in WA.”

There are Community Housing Organisations in WA including Local Governments, currently managing 7,421 tenancies, with public housing managing 35,694 WA.

Housing Survey

In June 2022, Shelter WA sample surveyed 30 Community Housing Organisations in WA to capture the anticipated need and sector support for a Certificate IV in Housing in WA to be put on scope in WA.

According to the survey 133 current employees said they would be interested in registering to complete the qualification if it was available, with an expected additional 52 employees taking up the qualification each year.

Skillset Demand

The skills and knowledge required for occupations involved in social housing can be diverse from office-based skills to legislative compliance, project management, tenant management, communication and providing ongoing support to vulnerable individuals with complex socio-economic issues. Community Housing employees must be skilled in both property and tenancy management and person-centred practice to align people to properties according to individual requirements and best use of assets. A viable Community Housing and public housing workforce plays a key role in addressing homelessness to the benefit of the whole community.

Natalie Sangalli, General Manager Housing Choices WA says this work provides an opportunity to recognise the work being done.

“It provides a fantastic opportunity to both professionalise and raise the profile of the important work that housing officers do in providing safe, sustainable and affordable homes for Western Australians,” she said. “People working in social and affordable housing don’t just manage properties, they promote social inclusion and overall wellbeing that contributes to broader positive social and economic outcomes.”

Mariana Logan, Housing Services Manager Foundation Housing says the course will provide a benchmark across the sector.

“Lead to improved outcomes for tenants.”

“Having qualified tenancy managers in social housing in WA would likely not only benefit social housing providers but also have a positive impact on social housing tenants,” she said. “Tenancy managers with specialised training in social housing could provide better communication and support for tenants, helping them understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants, and helping them access important resources and services. Creating a benchmark of service expectations provides consistency of service delivery across the sector and better management of properties that could lead to improved outcomes for tenants.”

High Priority

David Pelusey, Director Community Services at North Metropolitan TAFE said he was delighted to be working towards a successful application.

“A contemporary, sector specific training product.”

“NMTAFE are proud to be working alongside this dynamic, and motivated industry Steering Group, to ensure a successful Certificate IV Housing scoping application, followed closely by the development of a contemporary, sector specific training product, set to positively impact this high priority industry area,” he said.

Continued Advocacy

Shelter WA continues to advocate alongside the Certificate IV Steering Group that the qualification also be added to the FREE IN ’23 initiative to offer opportunities to increase engagement and build sector capacity across the State as the WA social housing sector prepares for the national Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF). At a time when a critical need exists to build skills and knowledge for workers in the sector having funded training available is imperative.

Community Skills WA is currently working on establishing the Certificate IV in Housing as a traineeship, the establishment of Skill Sets for the qualification and Recognised Prior Learning which will allow the Community Housing and Public Housing sector to attract workers however more importantly retain existing workforce. It is for this reason that the sector requests that when established this traineeship be funded equitably for both existing and new workers. The availability of Skills sets for the qualification has been highlights as of critical importance from representatives from the Aboriginal Community Housing Sector.

Project Timeline

The project will finalise in September 2023 with the course start date anticipated to be Semester Two (October 2023). The qualification will formally launch at a Breakfast event on Tuesday, 19 September 2023.

For further information contact Shelter WA’s Head of Policy and Sector Development Paula O’Leary.