CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
Diploma of Mental Health 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: 52 weeks International: 52 weeks (All the courses for International students are run over 2.5 days for a minimum of 20 hours per week)
** Please note: Duration in weeks may vary depending upon the amount of contact days per week. Duration may vary depending on the cohort and industry requirements. |
RTO Requirements
International Students
The entry requirements for International Students are:
Must be 18 years old or over
Must have completed year 12 or equivalent
Must have a minimum IELTS score of 6 or
Must have a minimum TOEFL score of 64 or
Must have a minimum PTE Academic score of 50 or
Must have a minimum Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) score of 169 or
Must have a minimum OET score of B for each component
Domestic Students
Training and assessments are conducted in English. Applicants must possess sound written and oral English skills. You will be required to complete a Pre-training and Language Literacy and Numeracy Assessment.
All assessment tasks are completed using a computer and internet, and it is recommended that students have these available before or at enrolment. Student must possess digital literacy skills to be successful.
A current Police Check and Working with Children Check are required before the commencement of practical placements for those specific courses which include practical placement component.
For inquiries regarding additional requirements, international and domestic students are encouraged to reach out to us either by phone at 13 13 89 or +61 3 9450 0500, or by visiting contact page.
Training Package
There are no pre-requisite or any other training package entry requirements to enrol in this course.
Visit our funding and fees page for more information.
Pathways from the qualification
While ETEA may not offer all the qualifications indicated within the pathway, the organisation advises relevant progression that may be attained such as:
- CHC52021 – Diploma of Community Services
- CHC51015 – Diploma of Counselling
- CHC50421 – Diploma of Youth Work
or upskill by attaining:
- CHC62015 – Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
- CHC82015 – Graduate Certificate in Client Assessment and Case Management
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 utilises a range of assessment methods to assess student skills and competencies. These are as outlined below:
- Question and answer/written assessment tasks
- Role play/practical demonstration and observation of skills (as applicable)
- Practical demonstration and observation of skills in a simulated environment (as applicable)
- Practical demonstration and observation of skills in a workplace environment (as applicable)
Assessment will be either a Recognition of Prior Learning pathway or a Training and Assessment pathway. For a Training and Assessment pathway, participants are advised of the assessment requirements at the start of each training session.
Students not achieving competency in any of the assessments will be required to undertake another assessment under the terms and conditions of ETEA’s reassessment policy.
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 2025 | ||||||||||||
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
| International Students | 6th | 21st | 14th | 6th | ||||||||
| Domestic Students | Please call us on 131389 or +61 03 94500500 for the intake Dates | |||||||||||
| Intake Dates For 2026 | ||||||||||||
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
| International Students | 5th | 20th | 13th | 5th | ||||||||
| Domestic Students | Please call us on 131389 or +61 03 94500500 for the intake Dates | |||||||||||
| Intake Dates For 2027 | ||||||||||||
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
| International Students | 11th | 19th | 12th | 4th | ||||||||
| Domestic Students | Please call us on 131389 or +61 03 94500500 for the intake Dates | |||||||||||
To be awarded the Diploma of Mental Health, competency must be demonstrated in 20 units,
consisting of 15 core and 5 elective units
(NB: Elective units may vary by state and are subject to change to meet client and industry requirements)
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| Core | |
| 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 |
| Electives | |
| 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.