Certificate IV in Mental Health
Nationally Recognised Qualification
Course Overview
The CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health equips you with specialist skills to support clients with mental health illnesses, offering self-directed recovery support. This comprehensive certificate includes a work placement, providing job-ready skills for employment in the mental health sector. As mental health issues increase in Australia, this qualification meets the growing need for skilled mental health workers, whether as a standalone qualification or a supplement to a degree.
What You’ll Learn
This nationally recognised qualification prepares you to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges with empathy, professionalism, and practical strategies. With a strong emphasis on recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care, you’ll learn to:
Work effectively with people experiencing mental health conditions – providing person-centred support in diverse care environments
Recognise and respond to crisis situations – ensuring safety while supporting clients with care and confidence
Promote recovery, resilience and wellbeing – aligned with contemporary mental health practices that empower individuals
Apply trauma-informed and culturally safe approaches – building trust and delivering respectful, inclusive support
Develop and implement individualised care and support plans – tailored to the unique needs and goals of each client
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and services – ensuring integrated, holistic support for clients
Work within legal, ethical, and organisational frameworks – preparing you to meet the professional expectations of the mental health sector
With practical, industry-relevant training built in, you’ll graduate ready to support individuals on their mental health journey and make meaningful contributions across a range of community service settings.
Studying with Upskilled
What's Included?
By choosing Upskilled's CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health, you'll gain access to resources that enhance your online learning experience, making it interactive and engaging:
Modules
To satisfy the requirements of this qualification, you'll need to complete the following units of competency.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety. This unit applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role. This unit applies to community services and health workers who play a proactive role in identifying and meeting their legal and ethical responsibilities. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to apply specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust. This unit applies to work across a range of workplace contexts where workers at all levels may communicate with individuals and/or groups both in person and in writing.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others. The unit applies to all workers who require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out their own work, either under direct supervision or with some individual responsibility. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with individuals to assess, promote and review all aspects of wellbeing. This unit applies to work with people living with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess capacity to support people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and to work collaboratively to provide support and facilitate links to other services. This unit applies to work with people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessments in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services. This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care within a service. This unit applies to individuals working in the community services and health sectors where services are informed by the knowledge and understanding of central trauma, particularly the impact of interpersonal violence.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to identify and manage immediate suicide risk and work with the individual to achieve safe outcomes. It includes the requirements for developing a clear safety plan for addressing any immediate danger to the person at risk or others, mobilising access to emergency medical help when needed and facilitating links with further support. This unit applies to people in formal helping roles in any community service context. Suicide safety may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with the person involved. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to encourage, support and promote self-advocacy. The promotion and facilitation of self-advocacy contributes to a person’s self-determination, empowerment and right to make informed choices in regard to all aspects of their life. This unit applies to work with people living with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively in providing services to implement a range of strategies as part of recovery oriented service provision for people with mental illness. This unit applies to work with people living with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote the principles of recovery oriented practice, and to establish and confirm self-directed recovery relationships with people with mental illness. This unit applies to work with people living with a mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
This unit describes the skills knowledge required to work collaboratively with the care network and other potential services for a person with mental illness. This work provides a recovery oriented practice approach, involving a variety of health and community service professionals working collaboratively with the person and their care network. This unit applies to work with people living with mental illness in a range of community services work contexts.
Career Outcomes
Possible Careers
Students who successfully complete this qualification may be able to pursue the following career outcomes.
Industry Outlook
Discover why Community Services is a vital and rewarding field, making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Salary
$60k - $82K Annual Salary
Jobs
88,500
Payment Options
Government funding
At both a state and federal level, government commitment to upskilling the Australian workforce has resulted in a comprehensive framework of funding schemes and incentive opportunities. As a result, many Upskilled participants are provided incentives by the Government to undertake training and/or find that their courses are heavily subsidised.
Government funding options for:
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Major schemes include:
An Upskilled education consultant will contact you within 48 hours
Our Trainers
Upskilled Community Service trainers are industry professionals with extensive experience and expertise, dedicated to providing practical, hands-on learning. They are committed to helping students develop the skills to succeed in the impactful and evolving community services industry.
Hear from our past students
They get back to you very quickly so you aren’t left waiting around - especially important when it’s a query on a task. In particular, Jacqui. I love how there is a video walk through for each assessment - well done Upskilled!
I think the best thing about upskilled is that you can work at your own pace and we are given ample time to do the course. I also loved the support and I found the course very insightful and interesting.
How to enrol
What you need to know
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course. To make sure you get the most out of training with us, the following enrolment process applies:
- Once you have inquired, one of our friendly Education Consultants will contact you to ensure you have the right pre-existing knowledge and skills to achieve your chosen qualification.
- A short language, literacy and numeracy assessment will need to be completed upon enrolment.
Recommended Skills and Resources:
- Have the ability to read and write in English and display numeracy skills up to a minimum level of Year 12.
- Have access to a modern computer with high-speed internet.
- Have access to a device with audio/video recording and playback capabilities.
- Have basic computing skills, including the ability to make and upload short videos.
Self-Paced Learning and Course Duration
Upskilled's flexible, self-paced courses let you balance personal and work schedules. With a training plan to keep you on track, most students complete the course in 15-18 months, but motivated learners can finish faster. Speak with an Education Consultant to discuss your study and completion goals.
Assessment
Upskilled takes evidence gathered from a variety of sources to deem a student as competent. Assessment processes might include some or all of the following:
- Recognition of Prior Learning and/or credit transfer
- summative and formative assignments
- written reports and/or portfolio assessments
- scenarios and/or case studies
- projects
- written/oral questions
- regular training and assessment contact will be maintained by Upskilled in conjunction with the participant and their employer (where applicable). Critical dates during the program will be identified for participants to ensure compliance to assessment due dates, and attendance at monthly webinars as required.
Work Placement
By studying the CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health, you'll need to do a minimum of 80 hours of work placement in a suitable Counselling or Community Services environment. To learn about the requirements for this part of the course, visit the 'Course requirements' page.
Be sure to check out our Industry Partners if you need further assistance in sourcing a host organisation for work placement.
Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit Transfer
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer (CT) with supporting evidence of prior education or work experience. This can reduce your study load or course duration. Speak with your Education Consultant before enrolment for details, or download the application from MyUpskilled after enrolment. A trainer will assess your eligibility.
Role-Playing and Interactive Learning Activities
This course comes with Interactive Learning Activities. Upskilled understands the importance of practical experience, so to complement the theory components of your course, our specialist trainers may run ad-hoc Interactive Learning Activities.
You'll have the opportunity to collaborate with other students - sharing questions, thoughts and ideas, as well as participating together in interactive learning activities.
While the Interactive Learning Activities are not mandatory, your participation is encouraged. You can receive some additional benefits and support, which may include:
- Having a study buddy where you can bounce off ideas and help each other with assessments.
- Online Classrooms where our specialist trainers can go over learning content that's part of your course.
- Activities that relate to your assessments, which can help boost your knowledge and skills.
Additionally, role-playing is included in some of the learning areas of this course. It will also make up some of the practical elements of your assessments, including the assessments in your work placement.
Dedicated Community Service Trainers
Upskilled's community services trainers bring comprehensive skills and industry experience to prepare you for a rewarding career. They approach training with empathy, compassion, and openness, helping you develop job-ready skills. Support includes recorded assessment walkthroughs, academic support sessions, additional resources, professional development opportunities, peer support, practical practice sessions via Zoom, and online recorded training.
Requirements for work placement
This qualification will have you undertake work placement at a nominated host organisation approved by Upskilled.
Work placement has been specifically designed to help prepare you for potential career outcomes, giving you the opportunity to further implement and gain practical skills and valuable industry insights through a real-life workplace.
Your work placement will commence once you have completed most of the theory components of your course.
Here are some key requirements you should be aware of for the CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health:
- You will need to undertake a minimum of 80 hours of work placement in a suitable Counselling or Community Services Environment.
- It is your responsibility to source a suitable host organisation for work placement. Please note that this can take up to several weeks, so it is recommended to allocate sufficient time when sourcing host suitable organisations.
- If you are unable to locate a host organisation, Upskilled's Work Placement Officer can assist you in finding one. Please note that it is required to provide Upskilled with a list of host organisations who have declined your requests for work placement
- Once you have successfully secured work placement with a host organisation, you will need to complete the Work Placement Agreement Form and submit via MyUpskilled. Please note that Upskilled must approve the Work Placement Agreement before you start your work placement.
What happens if I'm already working in the industry?
If you are currently employed in the industry relevant to your qualification, you may be able to complete your work placement assessment requirements within your own workplace and may not need to source for a suitable host organisation.
You will need to submit a Work Placement Agreement Form via MyUpskilled with the details of your employer and Workplace Supervisor. Please note that Upskilled must approve the Work Placement Agreement Form before you commence your work placement.
What clearance checks and documentation do I need for work placement?
Requirements vary from state-to-state. Please see below the required documentation and clearance checks needed by Upskilled and host organisations.
If you live in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, NT and WA, you will need:
- Working with Children Check
- National Police Check
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
If you live in ACT and TAS, you will need:
- Working with Vulnerable People Check
- National Police Check
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
Fees may apply when obtaining some of the clearance checks. It is a mandatory requirement that you apply for the relevant checks and submit your approved checks via MyUpskilled within the first 2 months of your course start date.
You will also need to supply your cover letter and curriculum vitae if you require assistance from Upskilled’s Work Placement Officer.
Upskilled reserves the right to transfer you to another course which work placement is not a mandatory requirement or cancel your enrolment if you have not obtained and submitted the required clearance checks.
How will I be assessed?
An Upskilled Assessor will liaise with your host organisation's Workplace Supervisor to review and validate your practical skill ability. For certain tasks, you will need to demonstrate your skills through video recordings and when necessary, through simulated activities which will be assessed by your Upskilled Assessor.
Please note that to successfully complete the work placement component of this qualification, you will need to be reasonably fit to undertake a variety of tasks and activities that may involve manual lifting, kneeling on the floor and other physical activities.
Physical Requirements
Students will need to be reasonably physically fit to undertake the work placement as the tasks and activities associated with the work placement may involve manual lifting and other physical activities.
FAQs
Upskilled offers mental health training through the CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health and it's an ideal online course if you're interested in helping others work through their ongoing mental health issues.
This is an area of interest in the community services industry and can be a rewarding career path if you're passionate about helping others and want to gain specialist skills to help people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability.
This course has a duration of up to 18 months and is delivered online. Work placement is also included in the course where you'll get the opportunity to choose a host organisation in order to get your foot in the door within the mental health sector.
Considering the practical nature of the course (placement, role-playing activities), the CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health can give you the job-ready skills needed to secure paid employment in the sector, or it can supplement your existing skills and experience. Possible career outcomes you can achieve with this course include mental health worker and community support worker.
Similarly, we also offer courses in counselling if you're looking to pursue a career as a counsellor. If you're wanting a taster course that can give you basic counselling skills, we have a Short Course in Counselling, which is part of our range of online short courses offered through Upskilled.
The CHC51015 - Diploma of Counselling is a nationally-recognised qualification that can give you the relevant training needed if you're serious about pursuing counselling as a career.
There are plenty of skills you can gain from an online mental health course.
For example, the CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health has 15 units of competency to achieve and these can give you the necessary training needed to prepare for work as a mental health worker.
These skills include:
- Communication skills: You need to have effective communication skills to find career success in the mental health sector. This can help you build relationships with your clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on the foundations of trust and respect. It also gives you the knowledge needed to approach difficult situations with great sensitivity and empathy.
- Responding to crisis situations: To be an effective mental health worker, you'll need to know how to respond to crisis situations and how to handle these as safely as possible. By knowing what to do during crisis intervention, you give yourself the ability to minimise safety concerns and have working knowledge on what support services your client specifically needs if they're experiencing a difficult situation that puts their safety at risk.
- Collaboration with other care professionals: It's important to effectively communicate and collaborate with other care professionals that have a direct impact on your clients. This is especially important if they have ongoing mental health issues and need to see other specialists in order to receive appropriate care and treatment. An effective mental health worker is typically someone that's collaborative and a team player.
To enrol in a mental health course, you'll first have to evaluate which course you're willing to do that best aligns with your desired career outcomes in mental health. Perhaps you may want to enrol in the CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health as you may be interested in working as a mental health worker as opposed to a counsellor.
Once you decide on a course, you'll need to fill out a course enquiry on our website. You'll be asked to fill out the following details:
- Your Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
In addition to this, you'll need to share with us what your current career goal is and how an online course for mental health may support this. Below are some examples:
- Changing careers
- Pursuing a promotion
- Developing your skill set
- Starting a career
- Returning to work
Once you submit a course enquiry, one of our education consultants should be in touch with you within 48 hours to get to know you more about your current situation, asking you a couple of questions based on your skills and experience, your time commitment for online learning and what the mental health course entails.
You'll also have the option of asking questions surrounding:
- Payment options
- Course eligibility
- Possible career outcomes in mental health
If you're happy with your consultation and ready to enrol in the CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health, then your education consultant will send through an enrolment form via email.