About the course

About the course

Would you like to make a difference in the community through supporting individuals with mental health recovery? With the health sector expected to be the largest growth area over the next 5 years, completion of our mental health course will enable you to seek employment as a mental health support worker, mental health practitioner or in a related role.

Our mental health course reflects the role of workers who provide self-directed recovery-oriented support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric or psychosocial 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 settings such as:

  • NDIS roles
  • community based non-government organisations
  • home based outreach programs
  • centre based programs
  • respite care
  • residential services
  • rehabilitation programs
  • clinical settings
  • supporting people in employment

Work is carried out autonomously under the broad guidance of other practitioners and professionals.

To achieve this qualification, you must complete 80 hours of work placement. All work placement requirements are discussed with students prior to undertaking placement at a "Preparation for Practice" session.

On campus teaching is at our Whitehorse campus (Box Hill).

Course Details

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Intake Dates & Course Length


This course requires you to complete compulsory orientation prior to the start of the course

Full time: 1 year (3 classroom days per week)

 

For information regarding dates such as enrolment, orientation and study breaks please visit the Academic Calendars page

This is a blended delivery course which will include a combination of online, remote and face to face delivery. Blended learning can involve a range of online programs and resources including StudentWeb, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Skype, specific industry platforms, pre-recorded sessions, assigned reading, tutorials, discussion boards, and online activities. Blended learning also involves face-to-face attendance at classes or practical placements.

LocationStudy ModeStudy LoadStart DateDaysAdditional Info
26 Apr 2024M |  Tu |  W
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Start Date : 26 Apr 2024
Days : M |  Tu |  W
Additional Info :
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15 Jul 2024W |  Th |  F
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Start Date : 15 Jul 2024
Days : W |  Th |  F
Additional Info :
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Box Hill Campus

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Blended

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Full Time

Career Outcomes


  • Mental Health Support Worker in:
    • NDIS services
    • home-based outreach
    • centre-based programs
    • respite care
    • residential services
    • rehabilitation programs
    • supporting people in employment 
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Entry Requirements


You must be 18 year or over. In order to maximise your chance of success in this program, you must be able to demonstrate adequate language, literacy and numeracy skills.

Desirable (but not essential) skills include:

  • good interpersonal skills
  • an understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - find out more here
  • the ability to communicate across various culturally diverse groups and faiths
  • trustworthiness and ability to use empathy
  • the ability to reflect upon on and understand your own emotional responses to studying and working in the mental health environment
  • excellent organisation skills

Industry Entry Requirements:

To be eligible to undertake work placement, you must provide evidence of the following:

  • current Working With Children (WWC) check (volunteer), where required working with young people 
  • current National Police Check with no disclosable outcomes listed - this may be requested
  • full current vaccination against COVID-19  

Note: Disclosable outcomes do not automatically exclude a student from participation in the CHC43115 Certificate IV in Mental Health.  Disclosable outcomes will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Box Hill Institute and the Service, in which the student is undertaking their practical placement. 

Students must be advised that the Mental Health course content can at times be of a confronting or distressing nature.  Stable management of mental health or other health issues prior to enrolment is important for success in this course. 

PRE-TRAINING REVIEW - to assist prospective students to determine whether a course is suitable and appropriate for the individual needs, Box Hill Institute will assess all students’ language, literacy and numeracy and digital literacy by asking you to undertake a self-assessment review prior to the enrolment. A course advisor will discuss the outcomes of the review and make recommendations about whether the course is suitable for you, and identify additional support where required.

Pathways & Accreditation


Following successful completion of this mental health course you can apply for entry into the BHI Diploma of Mental Health or the BHI Diploma of Community Services.

This course is government accredited and has national recognition

The qualification is aligned with the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 4

Fees & Finance Options


Payment Plan

This training is provided with funds made available by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

Free TAFEGovernment Subsidised ConcessionGovernment Subsidised StandardFull Fee
Tuition Fee$0$623$3,115$11,125
Service & Amenity Fee$268$268$268$268
Material Fee$225$225$225$225
Retain Course Items$0$0$0$0
Total Course Estimate$493$1,116$3,608$11,618
Payable Estimate (at commencement)$493$1,116$3,608$11,618

Service & Amenity Fee may vary depending on course commencement and enrolment duration. Retain Course Items are purchased once by the student prior to commencing. Those items then become the property of the student. Fees listed are at 2024 rates and may increase annually over the duration of delivery. The student tuition fees listed are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. For more information please contact our Course Advisors on 1300 BOX HILL.

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Financial Support

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Course Structure


You will complete a total of 15 units 

  • CHCMHS005Provide Services To People With Co-Existing Mental Health And Alcohol And Other Drugs Issues
    90.0 hours

    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess capacity to support people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and to work collaboratively to provide support and facilitate links to other services.

    This unit applies to work with people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessments in a range of community services work contexts.

  • CHCMHS002Establish Self-Directed Recovery Relationships
    60.0 hours

    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote the principles of recovery oriented practice, and to establish and confirm self-directed recovery relationships with people with mental illness.

    This unit applies to work with people living with a mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.

  • CHCMHS003Provide Recovery Oriented Mental Health Services
    60.0 hours

    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively in providing services to implement a range of strategies as part of recovery oriented service provision for people with mental illness.

    This unit applies to work with people living with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.

  • CHCMHS004Work Collaboratively With The Care Network And Other Services
    75.0 hours

    This unit describes the skills knowledge required to work collaboratively with the care network and other potential services for a person with mental illness. This work provides a recovery oriented practice approach, involving a variety of health and community service professionals working collaboratively with the person and their care network.

    This unit applies to work with people living with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.

  • CHCMHS011Assess And Promote Social, Emotional And Physical Wellbeing
    80.0 hours

    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with individuals to assess, promote and review all aspects of wellbeing.

    This unit applies to work with people living with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.

  • CHCCCS003Increase The Safety Of Individuals At Risk Of Suicide
    110.0 hours

    This unit describes the skills and knowledge to identify and manage immediate suicide risk and work with the individual to achieve safe outcomes. It includes the requirements for developing a clear safety plan for addressing any immediate danger to the person at risk or others, mobilising access to emergency medical help when needed and facilitating links with further support.

    This unit applies to people in formal helping roles in any community service context. Suicide safety may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with the person involved.

  • CHCDIV002Promote Aboriginal And/Or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety
    25.0 hours

    The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety.

    This unit applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts.

  • CHCDIV001Work With Diverse People
    40.0 hours

    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

    This unit applies to all workers.

  • CHCPRP003Reflect On And Improve Own Professional Practice
    120.0 hours

    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development.

    This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.


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