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CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

“Reflecting on experience I had at work, this training could have solved a lot of the heartache I had along the way. This is going to propel the peer workforce forward.” – Course Participant

The peer workforce is the fastest growing workforce in mental health in Australia. Based on international evidence and sector need, the CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work has been developed to meet the needs of this emerging workforce.

This highly popular qualification builds on the knowledge of workers who have lived experience of mental health conditions as either a consumer or carer, and who work in mental health services in roles that support consumer peers or carer peers. Workers are employed in the mental health sector in government, public, private or community managed services.

MHCC’s peer work training provides an opportunity for peer workers to build upon their lived experience and their on-the-job experience and receive a nationally recognised qualification in mental health.

Who should enrol?
  • Consumer Peer Worker (paid or unpaid)
  • Carer Peer Worker (paid or unpaid)

Entry Requirements

  • Consumer Peer Worker or Carer Peer Worker currently working (paid or unpaid) in an identified peer role providing direct ongoing support to other consumers as part of their day-to-day work, with 120 hours of work placement.
  • An online Language Literacy and Numeracy skills assessment is required before enrolment can be confirmed in this course. A workplace supervisor or manager is required to provide evidence of the participant’s competency in the units/qualification. For further infrormation download the Supervisors Handbook.
  • Must be over 18 years of age
  • Students will need regular access to the internet to complete this course.

See Learner Handbook for further details

Course delivery and completion options

Course delivery
  • Introduction webinar to meet the trainer and learn about what to expect from the course (1 hour)
  • 2 x 2-hour webinars for each module of the qualification (10 modules – 40 hours in total).
  • Additional self-paced WHS & Health Body Systems modules (no webinar associated with these).
  • Prework in your own time for each module through CoAssemble
  • Paper-based assessments in your own time after each module
Completion options

If you have on-the-job experience or workforce training, you may be closer to a qualification than you think!

MHCC offers a variety of course completion options for you to undertake the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.

Course Pathway

Undertake the full qualification in just 12 months.

The course pathway is suited to students with no prior qualification and some work experience; or someone who has more on-the-job experience and would like to consolidate it through formal learning.

This option requires attendance at either 16 face-to-face sessions or through the on-line option which includes virtual classrooms as well as self-paced learning. With both options, you will also need to undertake a variety of assessments, and at least 120 hours of workplace activities, to attain this qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – full recognition
This option is most suited to workers with current industry experience of 5 or more years and with extensive specific knowledge and skill in the competence contained in the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

Students are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Partial recognition/blended pathway
This option is most suited to workers with current industry experience of 2 or more years with knowledge and skill in the competencies contained in the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

Students will complete some units by recognition, some by assessment.

Units of Competency

Core units
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self-advocacy
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
CHCPWK001 Apply peer work practices in the mental health sector
CHCPWK002 Contribute to the continuous improvement of mental health services for consumers and carers
CHCPWK003 Apply lived experience in mental health peer work
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
Specialisation Elective unit choice
CHCPWK004 Work effectively in consumer mental health peer work – Elective Consumer Specialisation
Or
CHCPWK005 Work effectively with carers as a mental health peer worker – Elective Carer specialisation
Elective units
CHCCCS023 Support independence and wellbeing
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems

Qualification fees

You may be eligible for a fee reduction or exemption dependent on your current circumstances and/or previous experience.

Find out more