Certificate IV in Mental Health
CHC43315
Length
1 Year (full time)
Certificate IV in Mental Health - CHC43315
Course Overview
Course start dates are indicative and are subject to change. Students will receive information from their teacher upon enrolment including a confirmed start date and timetable. If applicable, students will also receive information about a course induction and directions on where to go on the first day.
Support people experiencing mental illness and psychiatric disability with the Certificate IV in Mental Health.
In this course, students will learn the skills to provide self-directed, recovery-oriented support to people affected by mental illness. Students will learn to implement community-based programs, home-based outreach, centre-based programs, respite care, rehabilitation programs, clinically-based programs and organise and run activities to support people's wellbeing.
Mental health support is an ever-growing industry, and students in this course will gain skills in case management and program coordination, which can be transferred into careers in community services settings such as respite care, rehabilitation, clinical services, or employment support.
This course is currently available as part of the Free TAFE scheme but is subject to eligibility requirements and may change in the future.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
Roles graduates may be eligible for include:
- Community Worker
- Social Welfare Worker
- Drug and Alcohol Worker
- Mental Health Worker
- Welfare Worker
Further study
After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study in CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services.
Course details
Study units
Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.
This course requires a total of 15 units: 11 core and 4 elective.
Core units
11 unit(s)
- 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
Elective units
5 unit(s)
- CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
- CHCCCS009 Facilitate responsible behaviour
- CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
- CHCSOH013 Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
Attendance & commitment
General public blended delivery | 1-year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend on-campus classes one day per week (6 hours) and one day per week for a virtual class (2x3 hours).
- Spend approximately 9 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Complete 80 hours of mandated placement, as outlined in the placement details below.
Class timetable details:
- Wangaratta Campus – Tuesdays (virtual classes) and Wednesdays (face-to-face on-campus classes).
- Benalla Campus– Tuesdays (virtual classes) and Thursdays (face-to-face on-campus classes).
Placement:
- 80 hours of mandated placement is organised by GOTAFE.
- A practical placement agreement is entered into between GOTAFE, the student, and the host provider and signed prior to the commencement of placement.
- Students may need to travel (up to approximately 50km away) throughout Victoria (at their own cost).
- Placement will be offered to students once all required written tasks are satisfactorily completed and active demonstration of knowledge through class participation is seen.
- Placement is undertaken in a block. The placement blocks are offered either two weeks before Term 2 break OR two weeks before Term 3 break.
- Placement can also be set up as 3 days per week in the later stages of the course to allow students to consolidate skills and knowledge in the workplace and complete their assessments.
- For most placement opportunities, students are required on-site between 9am to 6pm. For some placement opportunities overnight stays may be required during the week or weekend.
- 100% attendance is required for placement.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Written questions
- Workplace observations
- Case studies
- Simulated demonstrations
- Projects
Before you begin
Entry requirements
GOTAFE entry requirements
Before being accepted into this course applicants must:
- Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
- Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
Placement requirements
Prior to placement, students must:
- Hold/obtain a current and successful Working with Children Check (Volunteer).
- Hold/obtain a current Police Check and NDIS Check - dated within six months prior to placement.
Inherent requirements
Working in this industry requires the psychological stamina to carry out empathy and resilience required for working with vulnerable patients.
Student resources
Students must have:
- A laptop/computer with internet access.
- Access to a digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
- General stationery (pens, pencils, rulers).
Enrolment
Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government-subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:
- Aspirations/career goals
- Educational attainment and capability
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer
Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.
You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:
- Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.
Fees and payments
This course is available as part of the Free TAFE scheme for eligible students.
Fees and costs
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
Please note that the fees on this webpage, for this particular course:
- are correct at the time of publishing for those enrolling in 2025 and may change without notice.
- will be discussed with applications as part of the application process to ensure it is understood what is being paid for and which fee rates they may be eligible for.
Course Fees consist of three different components:
- Student Tuition Fee - covers the costs of training and assessment. These fees vary across courses and are calculated based on a rate per nominal hour enrolled in. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Circumstances may include:
- an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
- Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts and booklets, e-Learning resources and associated license access fees and excursions.
- Student Services Fee (SSF) – contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services. SSF is a non-refundable annual fee that does not apply to short-course participants.
Additionally, some courses require students to purchase or supply textbooks, kits, tools, uniforms and personal protection equipment. Some specific materials may be purchased through the GOTAFE Bookshop. A full list with associated costs will be provided to you at your course information session, induction session, or during the pre-training review interview.
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your fees.
Learn more about fees, charges, refunds and payment options
Student support
As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.
Learning support
A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your english language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.
Learn more about our learning support services
Library
Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.
Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton
Jobs and study options
Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.
Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres
Contingent Study Arrangements
Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.
Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.
Support for personal issues
We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.
Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you
Disability support
Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.
Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors
Counselling services
We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.
Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors
Koorie Unit
The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.
Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.
Further information is provided at course induction.
This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
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