Counselling and Mental Health Qualifications
Nationally recognised training
Study counselling and mental health online with a nationally recognised qualification. Upskilled delivers the Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315), the Dual Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health (CHC43215/CHC43315) and the Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015), all 100% online and self-paced, with no exams and support from trainers who have worked in the sector.
Certificate IV or Diploma, which do you need?
The Certificate IV in Mental Health is designed to prepare you for support work alongside people experiencing mental health challenges. The Dual Certificate IV adds alcohol and other drugs work to that. The Diploma of Counselling is designed to prepare you for counselling conversations and structured counselling processes with clients.
| Certificate IV in Mental Health | Dual Certificate IV | Diploma of Counselling | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | CHC43315 | CHC43215/CHC43315 | CHC51015 |
| AQF level | Certificate IV | Two Certificate IV qualifications | Diploma |
| Designed for | Mental health support work in community and health settings | Work where mental health and substance use overlap | Counselling conversations and structured counselling processes |
| Typical duration | Up to 12 months, self-paced | Up to 18 months, self-paced | 12 to 18 months, self-paced |
| Entry requirements | None formal | None formal | None formal |
| Work placement | Required | Required | Check the course page |
| Pathway | Diploma of Counselling | Diploma of Counselling | Highest level offered by Upskilled |
Where a counselling or mental health qualification can take you
Roles these qualifications are designed to prepare you for, depending on which one you complete and the experience you bring:
Our Counselling & Mental Health Trainers
Join over 42,000 Aussies who have had success with Upskilled
Recently started the Diploma of Counselling. Can't thank Upskilled and all staff enough. I was hesitant.at first but it was always something i have wanted to do. Have been involved in education and it has been a part of the job but have always wanted to do it as a profession. The education staff have been so supportive and instructional creating a great learning and interactive environment. Looking forward to studying more and making mistakes as thats how I learn and progress.
Special thank you to Jo one of the Education Consultants. He was informative. friendly, knowledgeable about the course and study. Didn't feel pressured just helped me navigate options and left it up to me to decide. So glad he rang after I expressed interest in commencing studies again after a long time.
Better than the classroom! It’s been a fantastic experience. The student support team and our trainer are incredible. Always willing to help our investgate my queries. Our trainer is always generous with his time and feedback.
My Experience with upskilled's coordinator Mr Ronnie, is absolutely amazing, his such a great teacher and his explanation in regarding the course are very clear and very helpful. Since I started he was always there when needed help with the course. Mr Ronnie makes you understand how to reach your goal of understanding of each session and the progress is very successful. Keep up with the good work Ronnie, and i recommend Upskilled's and Ronnie to every student and do not hesitate to contact all staff there as there a very grateful and will attend helping you straight away. One more think, I wouldn't be able to do this with out you (Ronnie) helping and supporting me, overall his fantastic. I look forward to the next meeting.
I really enjoyed studying the Diploma in Counselling this was such a great course. I loved the interaction with people and learning new aspects of counselling. I have learnt so much that going onto the next faze of my studying will help me tremendously after doing this course.
My trainer Ronnie was very supportive and helpful and was always available when needed, he offered great feedback and encouraged role playing as much as possible.
Counselling and mental health qualification FAQs
Upskilled delivers three nationally recognised counselling and mental health qualifications online: the Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315), the Dual Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43215/CHC43315), and the Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015). A Bachelor of Counselling delivered by ACAP is also available through Upskilled.
Yes. The Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315), the Dual Certificate IV (CHC43215/CHC43315) and the Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) are nationally recognised training under the Australian Qualifications Framework, delivered by Upskilled, RTO 40374. The Bachelor of Counselling is a higher education degree delivered by ACAP, not by Upskilled, and it carries ACAP's own entry requirements and admission process.
No. Completing a qualification is not a licence, a registration or an authority to practise, and it does not confer membership of, or eligibility for, any professional association. Requirements for counselling and mental health roles are set by employers, funders and professional associations, and they vary by role, employer and state. Upskilled delivers the training; the requirements attached to a particular role are set by those bodies, so check what the role you want asks for before you enrol.
They point to different work. The Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) is designed to prepare you for support work alongside people experiencing mental health challenges, in community and health settings, at AQF level 4. The Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) is designed to prepare you for counselling conversations and structured counselling processes with clients, at AQF level 5, and it is the highest-level counselling qualification Upskilled offers.
It is two nationally recognised qualifications studied together in one enrolment: the Dual Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43215/CHC43315). Because the two qualifications share units, studying them as a dual takes less time and costs less than enrolling in each one separately. It is designed for people who want to work across both mental health and alcohol and other drugs support, where the two areas frequently overlap.
The Certificate IV qualifications on this page carry a work placement requirement, and Upskilled's placement team supports you to find and confirm a host organisation. Placement means supervised hours in a real workplace, which you complete alongside the online study. Placement requirements and hours are set per qualification, so check the course page for the specific requirement before you enrol.
No prior qualification or sector experience is required for the Certificate IV or Diploma qualifications on this page, though basic literacy and numeracy at around a Year 10 to 12 level is expected and you complete a short check at enrolment. Study is online and self-paced with no exams. A Certificate IV is typically completed within 12 months and the Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015) typically takes 12 to 18 months, depending on the hours you put in each week.
Travis Hackett
Head of Vocational Education — CHC, Upskilled
Travis leads the CHC Community Services stream at Upskilled and brings more than 28 years of frontline and leadership experience across the sector. His career spans disability services, child protection casework with FaCS, youth services, harm minimisation programs with NSW Health, youth justice conferencing, and counselling. Travis is also a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with the Attorney-General's Department. He reviews Upskilled's CHC course content to ensure it reflects current sector practice and prepares students for meaningful, impactful work in Community Services roles.
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