Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43215/CHC43315

If you are looking to start a career in the community services space, but have no experience, this dual program is perfect for you. It will ground you in the foundations of mental health, and give you a strong base to launch your career from.

Alternatively, if you are already working in the sector and are looking to take the next step in your career, this dual program is a great way to formalise your experience and get the skills and knowledge you need to get ahead.

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply.

During this program you will learn how to:

• Build relationships.
• Work in an alcohol and other drugs context.
• Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues.
• Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans.
• Work with people with a mental health issues.
• Work effectively in trauma informed care.
• Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues.
• Work with clients who are intoxicated.
• Increase the safety of Individuals at risk of suicide.
• Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.
• Establish self-directed recovery relationships.
• Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
• Promote and facilitate self-advocacy.
• Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships.
• Work with diverse people.

• Case studies
• Multiple choice questions
• Portfolio of evidence
• Short-answer questions
• Written assessments
• Written reports

The duration for the course is maximum 24 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Recommended Local Entry Requirements

Students will need to be at least 18 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.

Students residing in WA/NT under the age of 18, who are not currently studying for their year 12 certificate cannot be enrolled.

Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.

These skills are equivalent to:

• Successfully completed Year 12 OR
• Certificate III or higher OR
• 2 years of work experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication

Tools, equipment, and skills required:

• Access to up to 3 people to participate in role plays and assessments
• Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
• Tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device• Basic computing skills
• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
• Access to Microsoft Office
  

Additional Requirements:

• Students will need to be reasonably physically fit as the role may involve a variety of tasks that require a moderate amount of physical activity, such as providing direct assistance to clients with daily living and assisting clients with mobility.
• Where first aid is a requirement of the host organisation, you will be required to complete 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin placed on the floor
  
  
  

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

Focus on your studies while we handle your work placement. Through our partnership with SkilTrak, our Guaranteed Work Placement ensures you gain hands-on experience in your dream career—right in your local area. Learn more

• Meet with SkilTrak – Their team will discuss your skills, goals, location, and travel preferences to arrange the best placement for you.
• We’ll do the work – While you continue your coursework, we’ll be behind the scenes securing the perfect placement match.
• Get the details – Have a quick chat with us to go over what to expect from your work placement experience.
• Start your placement – Gain real-world experience while we check in along the way to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Complete your course – Once your placement is done, upload your workbooks, finish your final assessment, and receive your certificate.

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) will require a minimum of 160 hours in an organisation involved in the delivery of mental health, and alcohol and other drug services to clients, with access to specialist equipment and resources.

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) is completed at the end of the course. Students should start looking for placement facilities once they have commenced their studies. Once they have completed 75% of their course, they can submit their workplace approval form.

There will also be specific assessment tasks including a logbook and portfolios to be completed at the workplace.

Workplaces suitable to undertake SWL include:

• Child and youth AOD services
• Child and youth mental health care services
• Community AOD services
• Community mental health care services
• Detoxification units
• Health promotion and education services
• Psychiatric units/wards in acute hospitals
• Public and private psychiatric hospitals
• Residential mental health facilities
• Residential rehabilitation AOD facilities

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

The workplace may require the student to meet workplace specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:

• National Criminal Record Check
• Working with Children’s Check (WWCC) or state equivalent
• Code of Conduct
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Occupational Assessment, screening and vaccination against infectious diseases
• First Aid Certificate
  
  

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Your supervisor must have at least 3 years of experience in the community services industry and/or hold a minimum qualification of Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs or Certificate IV in Mental Health or equivalent.