CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
This qualification covers workers who provide a range of community services focusing on:
- Rehabilitation and support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability.
- Implementing community-based activities focusing on mental health, mental illness and psychiatric disability, and
- Mental health promotion work.
This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide services to clients in relation to mental health issues. They can provide counseling, referral, advocacy, and education/health promotion services. These workers are required to have high-level specialist knowledge, skills, and competencies especially in regard to laws affecting people with mental health issues, the range of services available to them, and health issues related to mental health.
Course code | CHC53315 |
Start date | View Intake Dates |
Delivery mode | Blended delivery: Face to face training, Virtual Classroom ( Zoom), and Practical Placement.
***Please note that the assessment methods for this course include the Theory component and mandatory practical placement component of 160 hours. You must complete placement hours to be able to achieve the competency in the units and successfully complete the course. |
Duration | Domestic: 104 weeks International: 104 weeks |

RTO requirements
Domestic students
Training and assessments are conducted in English. Applicants must possess sound is written and spoken English skills. You will be required to complete a Language Literacy, Numeracy test paper as part of an enrolment interview.
- Applicants are required to attend a Pre- Training Interview as part of the enrolment process
- Training and assessments are conducted in English.
- Applicants must possess sound is written and spoken English skills.
- Applicants may be required to complete a Language, literacy, and numeracy test paper as part of a selection interview.
- Obtain a valid Police Check (required for practical placement purposes) and Working with Children Check if required
Some assessment tasks are completed using a computer and the internet, and it is recommended that students have these available before or at enrolment.
Vet Student Loan Students
Please refer to the VSL information page for further eligibility requirements.
International Students
English requirements:
- must have an IELTS score of 6.0 or
- must have a TOEFL iBT score of 60 or
- must have a PTE Academic score of 50 or
- must have a Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) score of 169 or
- must have an OET score of pass
Must be 18 years or older
Completed Australian year 12 equivalent
Training Package
There are no pre-requisite or any other training package entry requirements to enrol in this course.
- Domestic: 104 weeks (2 Years) inclusive of placement and breaks
- International: 104 weeks (2 years) including breaks and work placement (160 hours)
N.B: ETEA will provide assistance in searching for industry placement.
Visit our funding and fees page for more information.
Pathways from the qualification
- Bachelor of Community Welfare
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Arts Psychotherapy
- Bachelor of Integrative Psychotherapy
Employment or occupational pathway
Job roles and titles vary across different industry sectors. Common positions that may be suited with this qualification are:
- Welfare Support Worker
- Mental Health Outreach Worker/ Support Worker
- Community Support Worker
- Mental Health Rehabilitation Support Worker
- Mental Health Community Worker
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Coordinator/Assessor
- Case Manager
ETEA uses a range of assessment methods which may include:
- Written assessment (open book)
- Projects
- Case study
- Observation
***Please note that the assessment methods for this course include the Theory component and mandatory practical placement component of 160 hours. You must complete placement hours to be able to achieve the competency in the units and successfully complete the course.
You can apply for recognition of prior learning, academic credit and work experience towards this qualification. During the course of your life you will develop a wide range of skills and knowledge. Through work, volunteer roles, family commitments and various tasks undertaken in everyday life, you are building up a bank of knowledge. The evidence of these skills and knowledge accumulated can be used to help you gain a qualification.
Click below for further details:
Please note: dates are subject to change due to holidays and availability.
If the dates provided do not suit, please contact us at 13 13 89 or +61 3 9450 0500 via phone, or through our contact page, as we will accommodate dates to suit student’s needs.
Intake Dates For 2023 | ||||||||||||
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
Offshore International Students | 9th | 24th | 17th | 9th | ||||||||
Domestic Students | Please Call us on 131389 or +61 03 94500500 for the intake Dates |
Vet Student Loan Students: Please refer to the VSL information page for intake dates
South Australia intake Date for 2023(Domestic Students) | |
Intake Dates | Due Dates to enrol |
30th Jan 2023 | 20th Jan 2023 |
Students will need to complete 20 Units of Competency, consisting of 15 Core and 5 Elective units
(N.B: Elective units will be selected for delivery by ETEA and are subject to change to meet client and industry requirement)
Core Units | |
CHCADV005 | Provide system advocacy services |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCMHS002 | Establish self-directed recovery relationships |
CHCMHS003 | Provide recovery-oriented mental health services |
CHCMHS004 | Work collaboratively with the care network and other services |
CHCMHS005 | Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues |
CHCMHS009 | Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs |
CHCMHS010 | Implement recovery-oriented approaches to complexity |
CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing |
CHCMHS012 | Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives |
CHCMHS013 | Implement trauma-informed care |
CHCPOL003 | Research and apply evidence to practice |
CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
HLTWHS004 | Manage work health and safety |
Elective Units | |
CHCAOD004 | Assess needs of client with alcohol and other drugs issues |
CHCCSL003 | Facilitate the counselling relationship and process |
CHCCSL007 | Support counselling clients in decision-making processes |
CHCAOD008 | Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues |
CHCCSM004 | Coordinate complex case requirements |
** Please note: electives may vary by state and are subject to change to meet client and industry requirements.