Overview
Develop the skills for a rewarding career in the fast-growing health industry, working with people experiencing mental health issues.
The Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315 will give you the foundation knowledge and skills to provide a wide range of services, including establishing self-directed recovery relationships and providing recovery oriented mental health services.
Upon completion of this course you will have gained confidence and knowledge in:
- dual diagnosis and co-existing needs
- providing mental health services
- mental health recovery approaches
- networking and working collaboratively
- understanding and working with diversity
- legal and ethical issues.
Participating in 80 hours of work placement will give you practical industry experience as well as on-the-job confidence. You’ll also further develop your communication skills and your ability to develop and maintain relationships and partnerships.
Free TAFE - apply now
Eligible students currently won’t pay tuition fees for this course.
Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.
Find out more about Free TAFE.
Practical learning & placement
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world.
You’ll have the chance to put theory into practice in 80 hours of work placement, gaining practical industry experience as well as on-the-job confidence.
You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest skills and knowledge. Training with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.
COVID-19 vaccine requirement
In response to Victoria's Roadmap announced in September 2021, all students must have any COVID-19 vaccine prior to the commencement of placement.
- You must provide evidence of having the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are not compliant with this requirement you are not eligible to undertake a placement and progress within the course.
- You must be willing to undergo any additional checks and immunisations as directed by the University.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
Library & computer facilities
Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.
You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:
- databases
- e-learning content for courses
- student email
- student software packages
- social networking tools.
On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Information sessions
Join us at one of our information sessions to find out more about our courses in community services, community development, youth work, mental health, and alcohol and other drugs. The sessions will cover:
- the course structure
- information industry connections
- placement opportunities
- pathways to further study.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Careers in mental health support
The welfare, community services and health industry is one of Australia’s fastest growing sectors, and is expected to continue growing strongly (Labour Market Insights). The Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315 from Victoria University Polytechnic can help you launch your career.
This course is designed to prepare you to be able to provide a broad range of services such as establishing self-directed recovery relationships and providing recovery oriented mental health services. You will be able to work across a broad range of careers, including:
- community mental health practitioner
- mental health support worker
- peer worker
- community support worker - mental health
- mental health recovery worker.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, comprising of:
- eleven (11) core units, and;
- four (4) elective units, of which:
- at least two (2) units must be selected from the electives listed in the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health qualification, including at least one (1) unit from the At Risk group, and;
- up to two (2) units may be selected from any endorsed training package or accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome.
All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by Victoria University Polytechnic.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
CORE UNITS
ELECTIVE UNITS
At Risk Electives
Other Electives
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers
Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide self-directed recovery oriented support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability. Work involves implementing community based programs and activities focusing on mental health, mental illness and psychiatric disability. 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; or supporting people in employment. Work is carried out autonomously under the broad guidance of other practitioners and professionals.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the VU application process, applicants are required to complete the following to determine suitability for admission
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complete a Pre-training Review (PTR)
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must undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment
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must be at least 18 years of age or over at the commencement of the course
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provide a written application outlining reasons when they have chosen this specific course
- Interview (by phone or in person)
Practical Placement Requirements:
For employment and practical placement purposes, all applicants require:
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a current and satisfactory Police Record Check
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a current and valid Working with Children Check.
- In response to Victoria's Roadmap announced in September 2021, all students must have any COVID-19 vaccine prior to the commencement of placement. Students will be required to provide evidence prior to commencement of placement. If students are not compliant with this requirement they are not eligible to undertake a placement and this will mean that they will not be able to progress within their course. Students who cannot provide the required documents in the timeframe specified by the Course Coordinator, will be unable to undertake practical placement in a workplace and therefore not eligible to progress in this course.
The following are suggested sites you could visit to obtain these checks:
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Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
- Working with Children Check - http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about our study pathways to VU
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 28 April 2023
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
