CHCSS00103

Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set

Learning Mode

Online/Face to Face

Location

Adelaide

Duration

3 Months

Study Load

Part-time/Full-time

Course Overview

Turn your lived experience into a meaningful career supporting mental health and wellbeing.

The Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set (CHCSS00103) is designed for individuals with lived experience of mental health, either personally or as a carer, who want to enter the growing peer workforce. This nationally recognised skill set equips you with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to work ethically and effectively in mental health support roles.

Why Choose This Course?

  • Strong Career Opportunities: The mental health sector increasingly values lived experience, with roles in peer support, advocacy, education, and consultation across government, community, and private services.
  • Purpose-Driven Work: Transform your personal journey into professional skills that help others recover, build resilience, and thrive.
  • Specialised Training: Learn how to work legally and ethically as a peer worker while developing social and community knowledge essential for supporting individuals in mental health and wellbeing programs.
  • Hands-On Experience: Complete at least 80 hours of structured work placement, with support from AISR to gain practical experience in real-world settings.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this skill set are equipped to enter the peer workforce in mental health, taking on roles such as:

  • Consumer Peer Worker
  • Carer Peer Worker
  • Peer Support
  • Peer Advocate
  • Peer Educator
  • Peer Consultant
  • Lived Experience Worker/Speaker

Pathways for Further Study

This skill set provides a direct pathway to further qualifications in the sector, including:

Placement Details

To achieve this skill set, you must complete at least 80 hours of approved work placement:

  • Placements must be approved by the Institute before commencement to ensure all assessment requirements are met.

  • Where possible, placements are organised within Relationships Australia SA programs, but students may need to source alternative placements.

  • Placement support and guidance are provided throughout to ensure learning and assessment success.

This course is nationally recognised and accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority.
If you have experience or have studied in a relevant field you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning.

Prerequisites

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.

Units of Competency

  • CHCPWK001 – Apply Peer Work Practices in the Mental Health Sector
  • CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
  • CHCPWK003 Apply lived experience in mental health per work

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) credit may be granted for relevant prior study or experience. For more details on the RPL process, visit: RPL page

Fee

$900 Full Fee

$120 (Tuition Gap Fee) for participants eligible for SA Government subsidies

$65 (Tuition Fee Gap) for participants eligible for SA Government subsidies with valid concession card
Visit Skills SA to check your eligibility
For more information visit our fees and payments page

Qualification Information Brochure

Expressions of Interest

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Nationally Recognised
Training (NRT)

Nationally recognised training (NRT) leads to vocational qualifications and credentials that are recognised across Australia.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the cultural, spiritual and economic sovereignty of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We understand that the ongoing violation of this sovereignty continues to harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s relationships, health, wellbeing and aspirations.

We are committed to strengthening the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

We recognise that respecting and nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a benefit for all Australians.

We especially honour the Kaurna Elders of the Adelaide Plains and the Elders of the River Murray and Mallee Region, which includes: Ngaiawang, Ngawait, Nganguruku, Erawirung, Ngintait, Ngaraite, Ngarkat and small parts of Maraura and Daanggali, and Elders of Barngarla Country in the Far North and Boandik Land in Mount Gambier, upon whose country Relationships Australia South Australia offices are located.

As educators we recognise the Ancient Universities and ways of knowing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have existed for millennia, and we respect and honour First Nations expertise.