The CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work is for people who have lived experience of mental illness as either a consumer or carer and who work in mental health services that support consumer peers or carer peers. Workers are employed in the mental health sector in government, public, private or community managed services.
The training will provide students with the skills and knowledge to:
- Apply peer work practices in the mental health sector
- Work Legally and Ethically
- Promoting safety
- Work with diverse people
- Work effectively in trauma informed care
- Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
- Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
80 hours of practicum is required for the completion of this course.
Learning ModeBlended Learning
LocationSA
Face to face days22
Weekly study hours15 - 20 hours
Duration12 months
Learning Outcomes
The Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work will provide students with the skills and knowledge to:
- Apply peer work practices in the mental health sector
- Work Legally and Ethically
- Promoting safety
- Work with diverse people
- Work effectively in trauma informed care
- Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
- Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
Entry Requirements
Learners in this program must have a lived experience of mental health either as direct personal experience or as a carer of someone with mental health lived experience.
Employment Opportunities
Peer work, peer workers and peer workforce include all workers in mainstream or alternative mental health services or initiatives who are employed to openly identify and use their lived experience of mental distress or as a carer supporting someone with mental illness as part of their work. Roles and positions could include:
- Consumer peer worker
- Carer peer worker
- Peer support
- Peer advocate
- Peer educator
- Peer consultant
Units of Study & Units of Competency
Unit of Study 1: Foundations of Mental Health Practice
Units of Competency
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
- HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
- CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
- CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
Unit of Study 2: Client-centred Care and Diversity
Units of Competency
- CHCCCS020 Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
- CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
- CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
- CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Unit of Study 3: Peer Work Principles and Practice
Units of Competency
- CHCPWK001 Apply peer work practices in the mental health sector – 80 hour work based practicum
- CHCPWK003 Apply lived experience in mental health peer work
- CHCPWK002 Contribute to the continuous improvement of mental health services
Unit of Study 4: Advanced Mental Health Support and Advocacy
Units of Competency
- CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
- CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
- CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self-advocacy
- CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
Duration and Delivery Mode
12 months
Blended learning – Online and compulsory classroom sessions
Please see 2025 Delivery Schedule for dates of all Modules
This program is equivalent to a minimum of 15 to 20 hours of study per week, and students will be required to undertake self-directed learning outside of classroom delivery. This program includes 80 hour work based practicum.
Timetable
Location
Face-to-face classroom sessions are delivered in Adelaide (Hindmarsh).
This program has 22 face to face classroom contact days and 16 Online tutorials. Students will be required to undertake self-directed online learning outside of classroom delivery. This program includes 80 hours work based practicum.
Work Placement Requirements
To achieve this qualification, students must have completed 80 hours of practicum in a simulated work environment as detailed in the
Assessment Requirements of units of competency. This component will be undertaken within Relationships Australia South Australia.Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL credit may be granted for relevant prior study.
Students seeking recognition for all or part of a qualification must complete the online AISR Recognition Application at least 14 days before the start of the course. See here for more information.
Tuition Fee, Payment Options, Loans
Full fee: $6,000
Participants eligible for SA Government subsidies: $1,200 (Tuition Gap Fee)
Participants eligible for SA Government subsidies with valid concession card: $500.00 (Tuition Gap Fee)
This course is subsidised through the Australian and South Australian Government. Eligibility and subsidy criteria apply. To check your eligibility visit www.skills.sa.gov.au.
See our Schedule of Fees for key dates and payment options.
All enquiries regarding tuition fees and payment schedules should be directed to admin@aisr.edu.au.
Qualification Information Brochure
