Certificate IV in Mental Health
Overview
Help to promote wellbeing from a holistic perspective in a society faced with challenges. The Certificate IV in Mental Health gives you the knowledge and skills required to work as a professional in community mental health. Designed to ensure a balance between theory and practical learning, this course offers subjects including: crisis and risk management, support for drug and alcohol users, and therapeutic coaching skills.
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
-
Nationally recognised training -
TAFE Victoria
My preference is success
Want to maximise your VTAC offers? Discover how to get more for your ATAR with Change of Preference tips and tools.
Skills you’ll learn
- Theoretical training
- Personal development
- Communication skills
- Coaching skills
Your career opportunities
- Mental Health coordinator
- Mental health intake officer
- Mental health outreach worker
- Mental health support worker
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Study Community Services at Swinburne
Have a passion to work in the community services industry? Put your learnings into practice with our Diploma of Community Services.
Admissions
Applicants require a minimum of completion of Year 12 or equivalent.
Non school leavers without formal qualifications are welcome to apply.
Other requirements
The following additional criteria for entry apply for this course:
- All applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old at the commencement of the course
- All students must have a valid Working With Children Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to placement)
- All students must have a valid National Police Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to placement) *If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for work within the non-clinical mental health environment
- Applicants will need to demonstrate literacy and numeracy competencies
- Access to a computer with an internet connection, a microphone and a webcam
Informed Choices Statement
View the Informed Choices statement, which provides information about the inherent requirements of community services, specifically the essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks, professional placements and progress to a career in this field. This information is intended to assist you to choose whether you can successfully participate in and complete a course.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65%
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Certificate IV in Community Services
Course structure
To obtain the Certificate IV in Mental Health students must complete 15 units made up of 11 core and 4 elective units in addition to 120 hours industry placement. Students will be supported in finding a suitable work placement.
The course includes a mix of delivery methods, such as face-to-face class time, online work, and project work.
Assessment requires group work, actor simulation, role play, written assignments.
Students may be required to attend other campuses from time to time for events and other course engagements.
We’ll try our best to facilitate your placement, but ultimately this is determined by industry availability.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Work legally and ethically
Core unit |
CHCLEG001 |
|
Participate in workplace health and safety
Core unit |
HLTWHS001 |
|
Work with diverse people
Core unit |
CHCDIV001 |
|
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Core unit |
CHCDIV002 |
|
Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
Core unit |
CHCMHS011 |
|
Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
Core unit |
CHCMHS005 |
|
Promote and facilitate self advocacy
Core unit |
CHCMHS008 |
|
Work effectively in trauma informed care
Core unit |
CHCMHS007 |
|
Establish self-directed recovery relationships
Core unit |
CHCMHS002 |
|
Provide recovery oriented mental health services
Core unit |
CHCMHS003 |
|
Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
Core unit |
CHCMHS004 |
| Elective units | |
|
Plan and conduct group activities
Elective unit |
CHCGRP002 |
|
Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
Elective unit |
CHCDFV001 |
|
Recognise and respond to crisis situations
Elective unit |
CHCCCS019 |
|
Implement case management practice
Elective unit, 90.0 credit points |
CHCCSM010 |
2023 fees
Full fee* ($AUD)
$10,880
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$3,150
Concession rate* ($AUD)
$630
2024 fees
Fees are estimates only
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
Skills first government-subsidised place
To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Concessions rates for vocational students
If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.
-
Study this course for free in 2023
You could have your tuition fees covered in 2023 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.
There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2023 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.