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
    Nationally recognised training
  • TAFE Victoria
    TAFE Victoria
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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

Hawthorn VTAC code
3401010614
Wantirna VTAC code
3401010614
Croydon VTAC code
3401010614
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.

Diploma of Community Services

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:

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.

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.

11
Core units
+
4
Elective units
+
120
hours
Placement
=
Certificate
Indicative nominal course hours: 835

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.

  • Portrait   Female Nurse  Scrubs  Hospital Work  Smiling  Happy  Clipboard

    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.

Representatives and agents
CHC43315
Search for agents

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.

Hawthorn VTAC code
3401010614
Wantirna VTAC code
3401010614
Croydon VTAC code
3401010614
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
March intake (part-time only)
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
21-February-2024
Start dates
26-February-2024
March intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
21-February-2024
Start dates
26-February-2024
March Intake (full-time and part-time)
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
21-February-2024
Start dates
26-February-2024
August intake (part-time only)
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
24-August-2024
Start dates
29-August-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
March intake (part-time only)
Location
Croydon
Start dates
26-February-2024
March intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
26-February-2024
March Intake (full-time and part-time)
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
26-February-2024
August intake (part-time only)
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
29-August-2024
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