At a glance
Begin your career in the community services or health industry with this entry-level course that will qualify you to work in mental health in a broad range of settings.
JOB PROSPECTS
- Mental Health Officer
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Community Services Worker
COURSE OUTCOME
CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
Course overview
Kick start your career in mental health with this entry-level qualification. This course will give you the specialised skills and knowledge needed to work with people with complex needs in both community services and healthcare settings. Growth in the mental health sector is strong with the Australian Government expecting to see more than 50,000 job openings in the next five years.
This course will equip you to provide services to people with coexisting mental health and drug and alcohol dependencies, to provide community-focused health promotion and prevention strategies, and work within the frameworks of trauma-informed care. Our highly-experienced team of industry professionals will give you the one-on-one guidance needed to succeed in the industry.
Successful completion of this course will give you the skills to work as a mental health officer or mental health support worker.
As part of your course, you get valuable experience in real workplaces. Our strong partnerships mean you will learn the skills you need, while also getting to know potential future employers.
Our passionate teaching team have years of industry experience and are committed to seeing you succeed in your studies. You're being taught by people who know what employers are looking for and where the sector is headed.
Units
The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 4 elective units from the list below. You will also be required to undertake 80 hours of vocational placement in an approved setting.
| UNIT CODE | UNIT NAME | |
|---|---|---|
| CHCDIV001 |
Work with diverse people | |
| CHCDIV002 |
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | |
| CHCLEG001 |
Work legally and ethically | |
| CHCMHS002 |
Establish self-directed recovery relationships | |
| CHCMHS003 |
Provide recovery oriented mental health services | |
| CHCMHS004 |
Work collaboratively with the care network and other services | |
| CHCMHS005 |
Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues | |
| CHCMHS007 |
Work effectively in trauma informed care | |
| CHCMHS008 |
Promote and facilitate self advocacy | |
| CHCMHS011 |
Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing | |
| HLTWHS001 |
Participate in workplace health and safety | |
| UNIT CODE | UNIT NAME | |
|---|---|---|
| North and Far North Queensland | ||
| CHCAOD001 |
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context | |
| CHCCCS003 |
Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide | |
| CHCMHS007 |
Work effectively in trauma informed care | |
| HLTWHS006 |
Manage personal stressors in the work environment | |
| Greater Brisbane | ||
| CHCEDU001 |
Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies | |
| CHCCCS003 |
Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide | |
| CHCAOD001 |
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context | |
| CHCSOH001 |
Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness | |
| Sunshine Coast | ||
| CHCADV001 |
Facilitate the interests and rights of clients | |
| CHCAOD001 |
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context | |
| CHCCCS003 |
Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide | |
| CHCEDU001 |
Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies | |
| CHCSOH001 |
Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness | |
| HLTWHS006 |
Manage personal stressors in the work environment | |
| Darling Downs and South West | ||
| CHCAOD001 |
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context | |
| CHCCCS003 |
Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide | |
| CHCEDU001 |
Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies | |
| CHCSOH001 |
Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness | |
Note: For some courses, not all electives are available at all campuses.
Ways to study
Studying on campus is a great way to enjoy the benefits of face-to-face education in a way that is far removed from a typical school. No matter which campus you choose, you know that you will be learning in an adult environment where you will be respected and nurtured. Attend a campus to learn face-to-face with a teacher in one of our learning spaces; such as a classroom, workshop, laboratory or simulated environments, or interact with teachers using real-time video or web conference tools. Learn more
What you need to know about studying on campus
Courses delivered on campus may have a combination of online and classroom based learning. Students are expected to undertake additional personal study to complete the course requirements.
At TAFE Queensland, we understand that employers need options and flexibility in employee training. We are committed to delivering the flexible training plans you need to get the job done. Choose from workplace training, block training, drop in days, mobile training, day release, or a mix of all these options. Learn more
What you need to know about apprenticeships and traineeships
Eligibility
You must already be employed to enrol as an apprentice or trainee with TAFE Queensland. Speak to your employer about choosing TAFE Queensland as your Supervising Registered Training Organisation (SRTO).
COST
Eligible apprentices and trainees that meet the Queensland state funding requirements will be charged a set fee per nominal hour. These fees are calculated at a regulated rate of $1.60 per nominal hour. Concession rates apply for students who hold a current Health Care Card or who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Non-funded apprentices and trainees will be charged a fee for service cost. These will be confirmed prior to the commencement of training.
Information regarding costs will be outlined on the agreed training plan, which will be provided to the employer and apprentice or trainee at time of induction.
Get In touch
Find out how we can tailor a training package specifically for you.
University pathways
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathways
Payment options
No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what's right for you, get in touch. We're here to help.
Upfront payment
This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.
Payment plan
If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.
Important Information
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
Placement
You may be required to have full COVID-19 vaccination to undertake vocational placement in a range of Community Services organisations. Potential students are advised to seek current information as policies may be updated.
If you are not currently employed or volunteering in the community services industry, during your course you will be required to complete vocational placement so you can start practising your new skills in a real-world environment. You’ll be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider, and these can include early mornings or late nights, any day of the week, including public holidays. TAFE Queensland may be able to assist in arranging suitable placements.
Completing placement is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts. You are required to complete 80 hours of placement to satisfy this component of your qualification.
Prior to placement, you will need to provide evidence of the following checks:
- NDIS Worker Clearance application and nominate TAFE Queensland as your employer. There is no cost to students and TAFE Queensland can verify you as a student.
- NDIS Worker Orientation Online Modules (4 modules, approximately 90 minutes each). Upon completion, you will need to provide your Certificate of Completion to TAFE Queensland and your placement provider.
- Additionally, if you work with children, you will also need a Blue Card (Working with Children check).
You can apply for both the NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and Blue Card by completing a combined application via the NDIS Worker Screening Portal.
Please note: TAFE Queensland wishes to warn you, as a Blue Card applicant, that it is an offence for a disqualified person to sign a Blue Card application. For further information regarding 'disqualified' persons, please contact Blue Card Services.
Depending on where your placement is conducted, further checks may be required. Your Vocational Placement Coordinator or Teacher can discuss this with you on an individual basis.
Need to know
For all students who are undertaking courses that include Vocational Placements in a high risk workplace, Queensland Health has directed that students must declare your COVID-19 Vaccination status and evidence to either TAFE Queensland or the placement provider.
This may require you providing us or the placement provider information on:
- Your vaccinate status
- Last date of vaccination
- Evidence of vaccine status
Where this information will be collected as part of your application and / or enrolment process. Any data collected will be managed under the TAFE Queensland Privacy Policy.
This requirement is in place for all students in affected courses, including TAFE at School students.
Those students who have a medical contraindication may be unable to complete the vocational placement component of their course. This means you may not be able to meet all of the requirements of your course and may not be able to graduate or receive your qualification.
If you have any questions or concerns with this requirement, please contact our COVID hotline on 07 3307 4789.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To be eligible for the Higher Level Skills subsidised price, you must:
- be an existing worker in the Community Services and Health Industry. Existing workers must provide a letter from their employer stating that they are an employee of the organisation or a current payslip that displays the ABN and Trading name;
- be aged 15 years or over, and no longer at school;
- permanently reside in Queensland;
- be an Australian citizen, permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen; and
- not hold or be currently enrolled in a Certificate IV or higher-level qualification (does not include qualifications completed at school or foundation skills training).
Assessment Methods
Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.
Disclaimer
All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.
How to apply
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfers
Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. Getting recognition for the skills you've gained from the workplace or previous learning means less study time for you, and getting the paper to prove you're qualified a whole lot sooner. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.
Get started with TAFE Queensland
If you have read and understood the student rules, refund policy, understand your fees and payment options, have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and checked you meet the entry requirements and selection criteria for this course, you're ready to get started.
University pathways
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathways 