Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
This Free TAFE course is in high demand. Apply early for a better chance of securing your place in it. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the next intake.
Duration
1 year part-time
Intakes
Croydon (May)
Hawthorn (August) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Part-time
VTAC course code
- 3401010614 (fee type determined by provider)
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
VR, Mixed Reality and Simulated Scenarios – All In A Day’s Study
Ever imagined yourself holding up an augmented reality heart in class? Or using virtual reality to learn about the human skeleton? What about practising your skills on actors mimicking clients with mental health issues? It’s all in a day’s study when you choose a diploma or certificate in nursing, health or community services at Swinburne!
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 if you are under 20 years old, or enrolling in a course at a higher level than you have completed before.
If you don't tick either of these boxes, you could still have a chance! There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
This course is designed for those who wish to apply their lived experience of Mental Health Issues, either as a consumer and/or carer, to work in roles that support consumer peers or carers. The course is delivered by experienced facilitators with lived experience, through a blended model of on-line tutorials, on-campus classes and actor simulations of the workplace. The course content incorporates both theory and skills relevant to:
- Professional peer work practices and scope of practice
- Therapeutic communication and coaching skills to support and assist others to achieve their goals
- Non-clinical mental health assessment and promotion of wellbeing
- Support for co-existing conditions such as alcohol and other drugs
- Implementing community-based activities focusing on mental health, peer work, advocacy and group skills
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Psychosocial Disability and Recovery
- Crisis and risk management
- Trauma informed care
Completion of this course requires skills to be demonstrated within the workplace for a minimum of 80hrs. Students will be supported in finding a suitable work placement.
Course structure
To obtain the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work students must complete 15 units made up of 8 core and 7 elective units in addition to an 80 hours work placement. Electives have been carefully selected in consultation with Industry.
The course is delivered by experienced facilitators with lived experience, through a blended model of on-line tutorials, on-campus classes and actor simulations of the workplace. Over the twelve months most blocks of Units will be run at one day per week, with one or two 5 week blocks requiring two days per week.
Students are supported to find their own work placement in an approved workplace.
Units of study
Elective Units:
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
The mental health workforce is a growing area of employment, with the Australian Government forecasting more than 50,000 job openings over the next five years. This course prepares students for roles across many mental health programs, formally acknowledging a professional application of mental health lived experience. Roles may include Peer Practitioner, Mental Health Peer Support Worker, Consumer Advocate, Carer and Family Peer Support etc.
Aims and objectives
The primary objective of this course is to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and values to perform competently and professionally in the community based mental health sector.
Students will:
- Gain sufficient theoretical training and personal development in order to gain work readiness skills and employment
- Develop therapeutic communication and coaching skills
- Develop knowledge of current mental health and other legislation that affects the operations of services, including NDIS.
Graduate skills
On completion of this course, students should be able to combine their lived experience of mental health issues, as a peer or as a carer, with the qualification to secure Peer Work positions and roles.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer WorkEstimated course fees for 2023* |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course fee options | Full course fee | Skills First Government-subsidised place | Concession rate | Is this a Free TAFE course? |
| Total Cost (GST Free) | $12,930 | $3,510 | $702 | Yes |
You could have your tuition fees covered thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession if you meet the eligibility criteria.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Find out if you're eligible for a fee concession here.
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 865.
Entry requirements
The following additional criteria for entry apply for this course:
- Students must provide evidence of double COVID-19 vaccination to meet the on-campus attendance requirements
- Lived experience of a mental health issue, or as a carer of a person with lived experience of a mental health issue
- Access to a computer with an internet connection, a microphone and web-cam
- Have a valid Working With Children Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to placements)
- Have a valid Police Check (or be prepared to obtain this prior to placements)*
- Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of placement