This qualification can lead to a range of career opportunities within the mental health and community services sectors. Possible job roles include:

Mental Health Support Worker
Community Support Worker
Recovery Coach (NDIS)
Outreach Worker
Peer Support Worker
Case Worker (Mental Health)

These roles exist across a range of community and care settings and typically involve supporting recovery plans, facilitating community participation, promoting independent living skills, and collaborating with health professionals, families, and other service providers. Depending on the setting, you may work one-on-one or as part of a multidisciplinary team in residential, outreach, or community-based environments.

Please note this list is intended as a general guide, as job titles and qualification requirements may differ across organisations and service settings.

To enrol in this course, you must meet ALL entry and study requirements, including having suitable technology access and digital skills to engage in online learning and complete assessments.

This course is designed specifically for those already currently working in the community services sector.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This qualification includes topics and scenarios related to mental illness, trauma, suicide, substance use, self-harm, abuse, and other complex life experiences that affect mental health. Please be aware that these topics may be emotionally sensitive and distressing for some learners. We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing and speak with your Trainer or our Student Support Team if you feel distressed or need support at any time during your course.

There are no formal entry requirements for CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health.

• Be over 18 years of age
• Have a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• Have the Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) skills sufficient to read and interpret documents such as policies, case notes, support plans, risk assessments, and referral documents; write case notes, incident reports, intake forms, and progress updates; communicate clearly with people, families, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds, including de-escalating situations, supporting people in distress, and participating in team discussions or care meetings; and basic numeracy skills to mange scheduling of appointments, interpreting service data, and recording time-based activities or observations. This will be tested through a LLN assessment as part of the course entry process.
• Be employed in a community service organisation in a role that involves direct client support to at least (3) people with mental health, mental illness, and/or psychosocial disability, and have the support of the workplace supervisor or employer to participate in this training.

• A desktop computer, laptop, or tablet capable of running modern applications and accessing the internet
• Reliable internet connection so you can access your results online and study without interruptions
• An email account to receive course communications
• A webcam and microphone to participate in the virtual classroom (if applicable)
• Microsoft Teams to participate in the virtual classroom (if applicable). Free download here, the App Store or Google Play
• A mobile device or camera with video recording capability in case you are required to submit video evidence as part of your assessments (Distance students)
• It is recommended that you have the latest version of Google Chrome and Adobe PDF Reader for optimum compatibility with accessing course materials and assessments.

• Internet Skills such as navigating websites and using search engines (e.g. Google) to find reliable information, logging in to and using online web-based systems, and completing digital forms
• Computer Skills such as open, save, upload and download documents
• Email Skills such as accessing and reading emails, sending and replying to emails, attaching files to emails, and downloading or opening email attachments

The course is delivered in the following modes;

Student Portal 
On enrolment you will receive access to your Student Portal. This is where you will find all course information, links to virtual classroom workshops (if applicable), learning and assessment materials, and where you will complete your assessments and access your assessment results.

Assessment Strategies
Each unit will comprise of a number of assessment tasks which may include short knowledge tests, case studies, research, written questions and participating in practical activities such as observations, roleplays, simulated assessments and presentations.

Workplace Observations 
As part of this course, you will be required to complete practical observations in the workplace. These tasks must be signed off by an appropriately qualified person in your workplace, such as a supervisor or team leader. Where possible, our trainers will also visit your workplace to conduct direct observations and support your learning.

Training Plan
Regardless of your study mode, you will be issued with a personalised training plan that outlines your units of study and assessment due dates. This helps you stay organised and on track to complete your qualification within the expected timeframe. This is especially important for Online (Distance) students who are managing their own study schedule.

Study Commitment
Students should allow additional time outside of class to complete assessments. While the time needed may vary depending on your experience, learning style, and support needs, as a general guide, you should allow an extra (4) – (6) hours per week to stay on track with your coursework.

Online (Distance) Students should  allow up to (6) – (9) hours per week to complete readings, activities, and assessments, as well as maintain regular communication with their trainer for support and guidance.

This qualification consists of (15) units in total, including (11) core units and (4) elective units.

CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self advocacy
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

 All our upcoming intakes will complete the following electives:

CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment

Alternative elective options are outlined in our course brochure.
Students completing this course through employer-arranged or Traineeship delivery may undertake different elective units that better align with their workplace needs. Electives are selected on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the employer and must be agreed upon before enrolment is finalised.

If you are interested in or working as a Recovery Coach under the NDIS we have developed an elective stream targeted to that role. Download the flyer below for more information.

Your fees are always protected, and we have safeguards in place to keep your payments secure. All transactions are processed in Australian Dollars (AUD) through trusted gateways like eWAY and Stripe, with your card details encrypted and never stored by us.

For extra convenience, you can also pay quickly and securely using Link, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

A limited number of fee-free places may be available for eligible students under the NSW Smart and Skilled Program.
This training is fee-free and fully subsidised by the NSW Government.

Fee-free places are limited and are not guaranteed. Available places may be exhausted without notice. Once fee-free places have been allocated, eligible students may still access subsidised training fees under Smart and Skilled as outlined in the table above.

Eligible students may be able to access government-funded training support through one of the following programs:

NSW Smart and Skilled – For NSW residents, this program may cover part or all of your course fees, depending on your eligibility.

NSW Traineeships – If you are employed and enrolled through a traineeship arrangement, your training may be fully subsidised under the Smart and Skilled program

Funding availability is subject to eligibility criteria and government guidelines. We’ll assess your eligibility during the enrolment application process and provide you with a course fee quote based on your circumstances. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office for more information.

We offer flexible payment plans to make it easier to manage your course fees. You can choose to pay in weekly or fortnightly instalments, helping to spread the cost over time. Our team is here to support you in setting up a plan that works for your budget.

Click here for more information.

We understand that circumstances can change. Our refunds policy outlines your rights and options if you need to withdraw from your course. It includes details about eligibility, notice periods, and how to request a refund.

Click here for more information.

There are four main steps in our enrolment process. These help us make sure the course is suitable for you, understand any support you may need and, where applicable, assess your eligibility for available government funding.

1. Complete your Enrolment Application
Complete your online application and provide the information and documents we need to assess your enrolment.

2. Complete your Course Readiness Check
After submitting your application, we’ll send you a link to complete a short online activity that helps us understand your current language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Please set aside around 15–20 minutes to complete it.

3. Complete your Course Suitability Check-in
If you haven’t already spoken with our team, we’ll contact you for a short phone conversation about the course, its suitability for you and any support you may need.

4. Accept your Course Fee Quote
Once the required steps are complete, we’ll send you a quote confirming your course fees and any funding or subsidy that applies. You’ll need to review and accept your quote before we can finalise your enrolment.

All steps must be completed before we can confirm your enrolment.

Government subsidised places are limited and not guaranteed. If you don’t complete your enrolment application promptly, you may miss out on securing a place. 

If we’re unable to offer you a place, we’ll contact you to discuss the outcome and any other suitable options that may be available.

We are unable to enrol International students at this time.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are undertaking this qualification as a traineeship, you cannot commence training until your training contract has been formally approved by Training Services NSW.

Our upcoming course intakes below are listed below. When you’re ready, click ‘Enquire’ or call us on (02) 4961 0016 and our team will walk you through the next steps.

Online (Distance) enrolments can commence any time throughout the year.

Please note: You will not be charged any fees until we have been able to assess your eligibility for funding. A $0 amount will be shown in the online application. The Customer Relationships Officer will provide you with a quote for your course fee as part of the Pre-Training Review process. On acceptance of the quote, a deposit will be required to finalise your enrolment.

International Students
Unfortunately, we are not an approved provider on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). If you are in Australia on a Study VISA, you are unable to enrol with us. However, if you are in Australia on any other VISA and you can provide a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) Statement that states that your VISA allows you to study in Australia, you may be able to enrol with us. Please note that even though you may be able to enrol with us, you may not be eligible to receive course funding.

Completing this qualification may open the door to further study in community services or related areas. Depending on your career goals you may choose to continue your education with:

CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services
CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management

Note: Essential Skills Training and Recruitment does not offer all qualifications listed above.

Do I have to be currently working in a direct support role, supporting people with mental health, mental illness and/or psychiatric disability to complete this course? 
Yes. Our courses are designed specifically for people already working in the community services sector. They are structured to build on your existing skills and knowledge while you continue your current employment, allowing you to gain a nationally recognised qualification and immediately apply what you learn in your day-to-day work. Certain units also include workplace observations and require the completion of a minimum number of work hours performing tasks relevant to the units of competency in your workplace.

Why aren’t my overseas qualifications accepted for Credit Transfer?
Credit Transfer can only be granted for units that are equivalent to current nationally recognised Australian units of competency. Overseas qualifications, even if they cover similar skills or knowledge, are not part of the Australian VET system and therefore cannot be mapped directly to Australian unit codes. Because of this, we are not permitted to award Credit Transfer for international qualifications. However, if you have overseas qualifications or experience, you may still be able to demonstrate your skills through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). We’re happy to discuss your background and help you explore the best pathway.

I am in Australia on a Student Visa. Can I study with Essential Skills Training and Recruitment?
Unfortunately, we are not an approved provider on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). This means that if you are in Australia on a Student Visa, you are not able to enrol with us. However, if you are in Australia on another type of visa, and you can provide a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) statement confirming that your visa allows you to study in Australia, you may be eligible to enrol. Please note that even if your visa permits study, you may not be eligible for government-funded training and may be required to pay full course fees. We are happy to review your visa conditions and discuss your study options.

Explore our Student Information Page for more helpful details about studying with us.