Previous Version Version Effective: 16th of May, 2024
Version Effective: 16th of May, 2024

CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health

Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide self-directed recovery-oriented support for people affected by mental health issues. Work involves implementing community-based programs and activities focusing on mental health and mental illness.

Work is undertaken in a range of community contexts such as:

  • community based non-government organisations;
  • home based outreach;
  • center-based programs;
  • respite care;
  • residential services;
  • rehabilitation programs;
  • clinical settings; and/or
  • supporting people in employment.

Work is carried out autonomously under the broad guidance of other practitioners and professionals. To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 80 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of Units of Competency.


Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless they have completed an equivalent or higher-level course.

Mandatory placement checks are compulsory for this course, and students will be required to obtain a Working With Children's Check relevant to their State of residence, an Australian Federal Police Check and a Student ID Card. Students must meet the requirements for all mandatory placement checks prior to placement. Students may also be required to undertake a pre-placement interview with the host organisation and placement may be subject to students meeting the requirements of the organisation. The Vocational Placement will entail 80 hours of work in an appropriate mental health setting and will be undertaken towards the end of the course. Students who are currently working within the Mental Health sector may be eligible to undertake placement hours with their existing employer, subject to approval from the relevant Head of Course and agreement by the employer.


Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

To complete this course, you will be required to complete an approved work placement of 80 hours.  Students who are currently working in a relevant role may be eligible to undertake placement with their existing employer, subject to approval from the relevant Educational Team Leader and agreement from the employer. 

When you have completed at least 10 units, you will be required to complete a Placement Application Form. This form allows you to apply for approval to complete your placement within your workplace or alternatively, request to attend a CQUniversity-sourced placement. If your workplace does not meet the required criteria for the training package to undertake your placement hours then, CQUniversity will arrange a work placement for you.

CQUniversity’s Workforce Integrated Learning (WIL) team will aim to source a placement located within your community; however, circumstances may require you to relocate to complete the placement.

Mandatory placement checks are compulsory for this course and it is important that students ensure they can meet the requirements for these checks. Mandatory Check inquiries can be directed to WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au and further detailed information can be sourced by clicking on the following link:  IMMUNISATIONS AND VACCINATIONS WIL DOCUMENT. 

You may also be required to undertake a pre-placement interview with the host organisation and placement may be subject to you meeting the organisation's requirements.


Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $6,990.00 (2024)
$7,230.00 (2025)
Subsidised Full Fee $2,730.00 (2024)
$2,805.00 (2025)
Subsidised Concession Fee $1,815.00 (2024)
$1,860.00 (2025)
Fee for service per unit $466.00 (2024)
$482.00 (2025)
Subsidised full fee per unit $182.00 (2024)
$187.00 (2025)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $233.00 (2024)
$362.00 (2025)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Psychology, Social Work and Community Services
Skill Area
  • Community Services
AQF Level Level 4: Certificate IV

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Completion of this qualification may lead to work in implementing community based programs and activities focusing on mental health and mental illness. Work is undertaken in a range of community contexts such as: community based non-government organisations; home based outreach; centre-based programs; respite care; residential services; rehabilitation programs; clinical settings; and/or supporting people in employment.

Course Structures

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete 11 core units
  2. Complete 4 elective units

Study Mode Definitions

  • Online: Online courses provide the flexibility to study without normally requiring a student to visit a campus. Course content is studied through a number of means including the use of online discussion forums, electronic library resources, by contacting lecturers and teachers, and receiving study materials online/electronically. Work integrated learning, including placements, may be included in some courses.
  • On-campus: Students studying in on-campus mode typically are expected to attend and participate in regular, structured on-campus teaching and learning activities throughout the University’s academic term. These activities may include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practice, online or other activities and normally will be timetabled at a CQUniversity campus or approved delivery site.
  • Mixed Mode: Students studying in mixed mode will participate in a combination of online learning activities in addition to site-specific learning activities, which may include residential schools, co-op placements and/or work-integrated learning as a compulsory requirement of a unit. The additional site-specific learning activities are what differentiates a mixed-mode unit from an online unit.

*All study modes may include Vocational placement and/or work integrated learning.

Select a course structure below to view the delivery details, including the different study modes offered for each structure.

Please select a course structure from the options below:
Standard Course Structure

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for any unit please do not enroll into it. 

  • Online
Unit 1

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for this unit please do not enroll into it. 

CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people More Information Training.gov Details
Unit 2

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for this unit please do not enroll into it. 

CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety More Information Training.gov Details
Unit 3

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for this unit please do not enroll into it. 

CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically More Information Training.gov Details
Unit 4

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for this unit please do not enroll into it. 

HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment More Information Training.gov Details
Unit 5

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for this unit please do not enroll into it. 

HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety More Information Training.gov Details
Unit 6

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for this unit please do not enroll into it. 

CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations More Information Training.gov Details
Unit 7

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for this unit please do not enroll into it. 

CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues More Information Training.gov Details
Unit 8

Only enroll in one unit at a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for this unit please do not enroll into it. 

CHCCCS009 Facilitate responsible behaviour More Information Training.gov Details
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS & TRAUMA INFORMED CARE CLUSTER

You must have completed all 8 units prior to enrolling into this group.

Enroll in both units together. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for any of these units please do not enroll into it. 

CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care More Information Training.gov Details
ADVOCACY AND WELLBEING CLUSTER

You must have completed all 10 units prior to enrolling into this group.

Enroll in both units together. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for any of these units please do not enroll into it. 

CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self advocacy More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing More Information Training.gov Details
PLACEMENT GROUP CLUSTER

You must have completed all 12 units prior to enrolling into this group.

Enroll in all three units in preparation for placement. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for any of these units please do not enroll into it. 

CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Below is the recommended study sequence for this course. Please enrol in your units as per the following order.
Units with the same sequence number should be enrolled into at the same time.
Sequence Unit
1 CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
2 CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
3 CHCLEG001 - Work legally and ethically
4 HLTWHS006 - Manage personal stressors in the work environment
5 HLTWHS001 - Participate in workplace health and safety
6 CHCCCS019 - Recognise and respond to crisis situations
7 CHCMHS001 - Work with people with mental health issues
8 CHCCCS009 - Facilitate responsible behaviour
9 CHCMHS005 - Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
10 CHCMHS007 - Work effectively in trauma informed care
11 CHCMHS008 - Promote and facilitate self advocacy
12 CHCMHS011 - Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
13 CHCMHS004 - Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
14 CHCMHS002 - Establish self-directed recovery relationships
15 CHCMHS003 - Provide recovery oriented mental health services


Recognised Prior Leaning

RPL Only

  • RPL/RCC/Credit
Unit 1

Enroll into only one unit a time. If you are seeking Credit Transfer for it, please do not enrol into it.

CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically More Information Training.gov Details
HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment More Information Training.gov Details
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety More Information Training.gov Details
CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues More Information Training.gov Details
CHCCCS009 Facilitate responsible behaviour More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self advocacy More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships More Information Training.gov Details
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services More Information Training.gov Details
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety More Information Training.gov Details
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Below is the recommended study sequence for this course. Please enrol in your units as per the following order.
Units with the same sequence number should be enrolled into at the same time.
Sequence Unit
1 CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people

The following units have no specific enrolment order and you should discuss the order of enrolment for these with your teacher.
Unit Code Unit Name
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
CHCCCS009 Facilitate responsible behaviour
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
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

Course Assessment Information

RPL - Students who have previous informal and formal learning need to advise their trainer/assessor prior to enrolment. If the student wishes to apply for an RPL they need to apply to the RPL Centre.
Credit transfer - If credit for relevant formal qualifications is sought, then the process will be actioned after the student has enrolled in at least one unit of competency as directed by the relevant trainer/assessor. The Trainer/Assessor will work with the student on their credit transfer application, and provide advice and support as necessary.
Assessment Types
Third Party Verification
Practical Task
Written/Electronic Assessment
RPL
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?
Please view the more details information for any additional information related to this course.

Domestic 2023 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure

Online
June: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time

Recognised Prior Leaning

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure

Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time

Recognised Prior Leaning

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.
For individual class days and times for each intake please check the TAFE Timetable located here
The availabilities shown above are for the current and future years. To view any historic availabilities please press "Show Historic Availabilities" below:

Show Historic Availabilities
More Details

More Details

Enrolment Advice

New Students must follow course structure as per course planner and enrol in only one unit at a time. Click here for how to enrol video.

Do not enrol into units you are seeking credit transfer for. If seeking credit transfer watch this video.

Continuing Students should follow the recommended course sequence.
 

Resource and Computing Requirements

It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that you have access to the CQUniversity website. You will be required to undertake various components of study in the course requiring access to a reliable internet connection to access online resources that would include but are not limited to, email, internet, video conferencing (mic and camera), electronic assessment submission. 

 All submissions of assessment must be uploaded electronically to the VET Moodle platform. 

There is a total of 15 units of competency in CHC43315 – Certificate IV in Mental Health

You must successfully complete all 15 units of study in this course in order to be awarded Certificate IV Mental Health.

All units of competency will be delivered on-line through the Moodle VET platform provided by CQUniversity Australia once you are enrolled. It is also expected that students will avail themselves of opportunities to engage with both teaching staff and other students through on-line discussions, forums and/or presentations.
 

Work Placement Requirements

To complete this course, you will be required to complete an approved work placement of 80 hours.  Students who are currently working in a relevant role may be eligible to undertake placement with their existing employer, subject to approval from the relevant Educational Team Leader and agreement from the employer. 

If not CQUniversity’s Workforce Integrated Learning (WIL) team will aim to source a placement located within your community; however, circumstances may require you to relocate to complete the placement.

Mandatory placement checks are compulsory for this course and it is important that students ensure they can meet the requirements for these checks. Mandatory Check inquiries can be directed to WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au

further detailed information can be sourced by clicking on the following link:  IMMUNISATIONS AND VACCINATIONS WIL DOCUMENT. 

You may also be required to undertake a pre-placement interview with the host organisation and placement may be subject to you meeting the organisation's requirements.