RTO 91296
CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work reflects the role of workers who have mental health lived experience 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.
“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” – CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work graduate
Duration
The duration of the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work full-time course is 12 months. This includes 40 hours of virtual classroom time and supported self-paced learning and assessments. Students should allow for 15-20 hours of study per week. Time to complete this course may vary depending on individual experience and support needs.
Course delivery
- Introduction online session (1 hour) to meet the Trainer and learn about what to expect from the course
- 2 x 2-hour online classes for each module of the qualification (40 hours in total, for 10 modules)
- Content for each module will be accessed through MHCC’s online learning system
- Assessments for each module are submitted to MHCC’s online learning system on a predetermined assessment schedule, provided to each student at the commencement of the course
- Students will be required to undertake a variety of assessments
- Students will be required to complete 80 hours of workplace activities
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 | |
| BSBPEF402 | Develop personal work priorities |
| 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 |
| CHCGRP001 | Support group activities |
Learning outcomes
Through a mixture of theory, practical course work and discussions with other Peer Workers,
you will learn:
- How to support people experiencing mental health challenges
- Peer Work practices
- Safe Storytelling and ways of sharing your lived and living experience
- Recovery-oriented and trauma informed approaches
- How to empower people through the recovery model
- Ways to promote self-advocacy
- How to understand and respond to suicide
- How to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with consumers, families and other services
Course outcomes
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market:
- A nationally accredited qualification at Certificate IV level
- 80 hours of work placement in the industry
- The skills to contribute to the wellbeing and recovery of a diverse range of people
- A sound understanding of the legal and ethical requirements in the Peer workforce
- Strong pathways to continued studies to enhance your career
Career pathways
Our graduates from this qualification go on to work in roles such as:
- Mental Health Peer Worker (Consumer or Carer)
- Peer Worker (areas of focus could Alcohol and Other Drugs, Suicide Prevention)
- Peer Recovery Coach
- Peer Specialist
- Peer Advocate
- Peer Navigator
Is this course right for you?
Before officially enrolling in this course, you will need to complete an eligibility check.
The enrolment process involves three stages:
- Eligibility Check
- Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills Questionnaire
- Enrolment Form
Eligibility
To be eligible for entry to the CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a holder of a permanent residence visa, or a migrant, refugee or asylum seeker holding a temporary or bridging visa
providing work and/or study rights - no longer be in school, in accordance with the relevant State’s school leaving requirements
- not be in receipt of another Commonwealth or State/Territory bursary or scholarship
- have the ability to secure a paid or unpaid work placement opportunity in a mental health consumer/Carer Peer Worker role in NSW with a mental health service provider prior to enrolling in the course (this can be existing employment, or a work placement sourced by the student)*
- have a workplace supervisor or manager willing to provide evidence of the student’s competency in the units/qualification as part of work placement
- be able to meet the attendance and study requirements to complete the course
* please contact MHCC for more details and support in how to obtain this
See our Entry Pathways Guide to help you find alternative pathways and work placement opportunities to reach your training goals.
Entry requirements
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
- empathy, patience and the desire to empower others
- reached a place in your personal recovery journey that you are willing and able to support others
- organisational and time management skills
- written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and in groups
Completion requirements
Depending on the requirements of the work placement organisation, you may be required to attain:
- NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC)
- National Police Check
- NDIS screening
- Evidence of up-to-date immunisations
- Vaccination and health screenings
- Additional evidence your work placement organisation requires
Important information
This qualification contains content, concepts and scenarios that may be distressing. Please consider your personal resilience and recovery journey, including any potential triggers, when participating in this qualification and in any future employment in this field.
For more, see: What to consider before enrolling in this course
Further study pathways
- CHCSS00104 Peer Leadership Skill Set
- CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
- CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services
- CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling
- CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
Learning and Support Services
MHCC employs a team of Student Support Officers to support learners through the full student journey, from enquiry through to completion. This support can be accessed by phone or email.
Students can also access support through the online learning system. This system gives access to:
- Email access to trainers or assessors
- Live chat with MHCC support staff
MHCC is committed to ensuring access and equity principles are upheld at all times.
MHCC can provide some support and reasonable adjustments to students with identified support needs; however, appropriate referrals are recommended for those requiring additional LLND and employability skills assistance.
To support the range of potential learning, physical and/or mental health challenges that students may encounter, MHCC provides tailored support services including, but not limited to:
- Assessment extensions
- 80% online class attendance
- Learner support
- Disability support including reasonable adjustments
- Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) support
- Culturally specific and safe support services
- Study skills support and assessment workshops
- Learning resources to use while studying online
- Making learning materials available in alternative formats
- Careers and pathways support
- Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your skills
- Transfers to other programs (if available)
- Course deferrals
- Refunds on withdrawals under specified terms
Further information on how to access these can be found in the Learner Handbook and by contacting Student Support. Visit our Student Hub for information on MHCC’s RTO policies and procedures.
Environment, facilities and location
Courses are delivered online to increase accessibility for learners across NSW and Australia.
All learners are required to have access to a computer or device along with stable internet connection to access the online learning system and attend any online classes and support sessions.
All other resources, materials, and templates needed are provided during the course of study.
All learners in this qualification will need to have access to a suitable work placement approved by MHCC in either a paid or voluntary mental health peer work role (consumer or carer).
Fee information
*fees depend on learner eligibility and individual circumstances
Smart and Skilled Funding
MHCC provides subsidised training places through the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program funded by the Department of Education through Training Services NSW.
Subsidised fees or fee exemptions are offered to learners in CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health and CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
Depending on your previous qualifications and circumstances, you may qualify for subsidised fees or fee exemptions through the Smart and Skilled program.
Smart and Skilled is a NSW Government program that offers subsidised training for courses on the NSW Skills List, which identifies industry areas that need more qualified workers. It is offered through the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system to help people find a job and advance their careers. Access information on eligibility and conditions for Smart and Skilled training here.
Scholarship places
Scholarships provide the opportunity for people currently employed as a Mental Health Peer Worker to gain a formal qualification in CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
The scholarships aim to develop the peer workforce to meet the evolving needs of the mental health sector.
If you are currently employed as a Peer Worker and living or working in NSW, you may be eligible for a funded scholarship place in one of our standard 12-month Mental Health Peer Work courses.
See here for more information.
Recognition process
On enrolment, students will be asked to identify any options for recognition of prior learning or credit transfer. Students have the opportunity to enrol into a full or partial recognition program.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – full recognition
This assessment only option is most suited to workers with current industry experience of five or more years and with extensive specific knowledge and skill in the competencies contained in the CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work. Students who may already have the skills and knowledge required for the qualification can apply for an RPL process and are assessed on an individual basis.
For more information, see our Recognition Information Kit.
Partial recognition/blended pathway
This option is most suited to someone with current industry experience of two or more years with knowledge and skills in the competencies contained in the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
Credit transfer
If you have completed studies that are equivalent to some units and can provide sufficient evidence, you may gain credits for some units. The study you have completed needs to be the exact equivalent unit/s and certified copies of transcripts need to be provided as part
of your application. If your studies are not equivalent but contribute towards some units, you may be able to use these for partial recognition. Please note that credit transfers are only considered for the core and elective units delivered as part of MHCC’s course (see Units of Competency above).
The Learner Handbook and the Student Hub provide information for potential learners on the delivery and assessment options available. Access our Frequently Asked Questions page for further information.