Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

About this course

Peer workers are a growing segment of the mental health workforce. If you have lived experience of mental illness services as a customer or carer, you can use your experience to help others.

This qualification will teach you essential skills to support consumer or carer peers. You will learn methods of therapeutic communication, with a focus on lived experiences of mental health.

You can also choose electives in areas that interest you, for example:

client rights
dementia
chronic disease
alcohol and drugs
working with young people
suicide
community action.

Note that the availability of electives may vary depending on your selected training provider.

Peer work is available in government, public, private and community-managed organisations.

A minimum number of work placement hours must be completed to achieve this qualification.

This qualification is recognised nationally under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

This course can be done as a traineeship. You’ll get technical knowledge through coursework and hands-on experience through paid work. On completion you will receive a nationally recognised qualification.

To enrol as a trainee, you’ll need:
1. a job in a relevant workplace in the same field as your course, and
2. an employer willing to sign a Commonwealth Government ‘Training Contract’ and support your learning at work.
To get started:
- contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for information on finding an employer and for ongoing support
- find a course provider that delivers the course as a traineeship.
To get help:
- contact the TAFE and Training Line
- visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page
- visit Apprenticeships Victoria.

Units of study

Core units

Unit title	Unit code
Work with diverse people	CHCDIV001
Work effectively in trauma informed care	CHCMHS007
Promote and facilitate self advocacy	CHCMHS008
Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing	CHCMHS011
Apply peer work practices in the mental health sector	CHCPWK001
Contribute to the continuous improvement of mental health services for consumers and carers	CHCPWK002
Apply lived experience in mental health peer work	CHCPWK003
Participate in workplace health and safety	HLTWHS001

Elective units

Unit title	Unit code
Make a presentation	BSBCMM401
Process and maintain workplace information	BSBINM201
Analyse and present research information	BSBRES401
Use business technology	BSBWOR204
Facilitate the interests and rights of clients	CHCADV001
Provide advocacy and representation services	CHCADV002
Provide systems advocacy services	CHCADV005
Facilitate the empowerment of older people	CHCAGE001
Provide support to people living with dementia	CHCAGE005
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context	CHCAOD001
Address the needs of people with chronic disease	CHCCCS001
Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide	CHCCCS003
Provide loss and grief support	CHCCCS017
Recognise and respond to crisis situations	CHCCCS019
Respond effectively to behaviours of concern	CHCCCS020
Support independence and wellbeing	CHCCCS023
Support relationships with carers and families	CHCCCS025
Visit client residence	CHCCCS027
Support participative planning processes	CHCCDE001
Develop and implement community programs	CHCCDE002
Implement participation and engagement strategies	CHCCDE004
Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities	CHCCDE006
Develop and provide community projects	CHCCDE007
Support community action	CHCCDE008
Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services	CHCDEV002
Facilitate the empowerment of people with disability	CHCDIS007
Facilitate community participation and social inclusion	CHCDIS008
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety	CHCDIV002
Work with parents or carers of very young children	CHCEDU011
Support group activities	CHCGRP001
Plan and conduct group activities	CHCGRP002
Deliver structured programs	CHCGRP004
Work legally and ethically	CHCLEG001
Establish self-directed recovery relationships	CHCMHS002
Provide recovery oriented mental health services	CHCMHS003
Work collaboratively with the care network and other services	CHCMHS004
Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues	CHCMHS005
Facilitate the recovery process with the person, family and carers	CHCMHS006
Contribute to the review and development of policies	CHCPOL001
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships	CHCPRP001
Work effectively in consumer mental health peer work	CHCPWK004
Work effectively with carers as a mental health peer worker	CHCPWK005
Work with forced migrants	CHCSET001
Undertake bicultural work with forced migrants in Australia	CHCSET002
Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness	CHCSOH001
Manage and maintain tenancy agreements and services	CHCSOH002
Support young people to create opportunities in their lives	CHCYTH003
Work effectively with young people and their families	CHCYTH011
Manage personal stressors in the work environment	HLTWHS006
Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning	TAEDEL401A
Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace	TAEDEL402A
Design and develop learning programs	TAEDES401A

Course providers

This course is offered by the following providers. Click on the links to the provider websites for the latest information on course details, fees and how to apply.

Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Elgar (Box Hill), City (Melbourne), Nelson (Box Hill), Lilydale Lakeside (Lilydale), Whitehorse (Box Hill)
Delivery modes: Flexible delivery
- Visit Box Hill Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Hawthorn, Croydon
Delivery modes: Part time on-campus
- Visit Swinburne University of Technology for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Wodonga (West Wodonga)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Wodonga TAFE for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider