This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide services to clients in relation to mental health issues. They can provide counselling, 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.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 160 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are available
See training providers offering VET Student Loans -
You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
This course has 160 mandatory work placement hours.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing | Core |
| Establish self-directed recovery relationships | Core |
| Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity | Core |
| Implement trauma informed care | Core |
| Manage work health and safety | Core |
| Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | Core |
| Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs | Core |
| Provide recovery oriented mental health services | Core |
| Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues | Core |
| Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives | Core |
| Provide systems advocacy services | Core |
| Reflect on and improve own professional practice | Core |
| Research and apply evidence to practice | Core |
| Work collaboratively with the care network and other services | Core |
| Work with diverse people | Core |
| Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues | Elective |
| Assess the needs of clients with problem gambling issues | Elective |
| Assist clients with medication | Elective |
| Coordinate complex case requirements | Elective |
| Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence | Elective |
| Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships | Elective |
| Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans | Elective |
| Develop quality systems in line with registration standards | Elective |
| Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management | Elective |
| Develop, implement and review quality framework | Elective |
| Establish and confirm the counselling relationship | Elective |
| Facilitate the counselling relationship and process | Elective |
| Facilitate the recovery process with the person, family and carers | Elective |
| Implement participation and engagement strategies | Elective |
| Interpret and use information about nutrition and diet | Elective |
| Manage and maintain tenancy agreements and services | Elective |
| Manage budgets and financial plans | Elective |
| Manage head lease | Elective |
| Manage partnership agreements with service providers | Elective |
| Manage personal stressors in the work environment | Elective |
| Meet statutory and organisation information requirements | Elective |
| Promote and conduct mental health peer work | Elective |
| Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues | Elective |
| Provide alcohol and other drugs withdrawal services | Elective |
| Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies | Elective |
| Provide counselling for clients with problem gambling issues | Elective |
| Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues | Elective |
| Provide loss and grief support | Elective |
| Provide needle and syringe services | Elective |
| Provide suicide bereavement support | Elective |
| Recognise healthy body systems | Elective |
| Recruit, induct and support volunteers | Elective |
| Respond to client language, literacy and numeracy needs | Elective |
| Support counselling clients in decision-making processes | Elective |
| Work in an alcohol and other drugs context | Elective |
| Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities | Elective |
| Work with clients who are intoxicated | Elective |
Job prospects
The Diploma of Mental Health sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Recruitment Consultant
ANZSCO 223112
Match people looking for work with employers looking for staff.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Liaison Officer
ANZSCO 224912
Liaison Officers establish and facilitate communication between different community groups, organisations and governments.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
ANZSCO 272112
Drug and Alcohol Counsellors provide support and treatment for people with drug and alcohol dependency problems, develop strategies which assist them to set goals and affect and maintain change, and provide community education. They may work in call centres.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Welfare Worker
ANZSCO 272613
Welfare Workers assist individuals, families and groups with social, emotional or financial difficulties to improve quality of life, by educating and supporting them and working towards change in their social environment.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Community Worker
ANZSCO 411711
Develop and implement plans to improve life in the local community.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Disabilities Services Officer
ANZSCO 411712
Disabilities Services Officers work in a range of service units which provide education and community access to people with intellectual, physical, social and emotional disabilities.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Residential Care Officer
ANZSCO 411715
Residential Care Officers provide care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Aged and Disabled Carer
ANZSCO 423111
Provide companionship and practical support to aged and disabled persons in their own homes
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Personal Care Assistant
ANZSCO 423313
Personal Care Assistants provide routine personal care services to people in a range of health care facilities or in a person's home.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Diploma of Mental Health
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
This course has a mandatory work placement. Skills Assure Suppliers help you to arrange a work placement. This service may not be available through other training providers.
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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
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AA ACADEMY (RTO code 41573)
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Academy Of Workplace Learning Pty Ltd (RTO code 40603)
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AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute (RTO code 45101)
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AMA TRAINING SERVICES (RTO code 2010)
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Ambassador College of Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 45429)
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Australasian College of Care Leadership & Management (RTO code 40829)
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Australian City International College (RTO code 91779)
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Australian College of Fitness and Personal Training (RTO code 45361)
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Australian Health and Horticulture Institute Pty Ltd (RTO code 41015)
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AUSTRALIAN HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE PTY LTD (RTO code 70252)
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Australian Health and Science Institute Pty Ltd (RTO code 40185)
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Australian Institution of Sciences (RTO code 45269)
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Australian Learning Group (RTO code 91165)
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Australis Vocational College Pty Ltd (RTO code 46042)
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Axis Institute (RTO code 41228)
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Celtic Training (RTO code 40179)
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College of Transformation, Education & Training (RTO code 88213)
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Education Training & Employment Australia (RTO code 5089)
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EMPLOY-EASE PTY LTD (RTO code 6832)
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EQUALS International (RTO code 3492)
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GLENHILL COLLEGE (RTO code 45619)
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HADER INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (RTO code 45162)
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HEADWAY EDUCATION (RTO code 40749)
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Innovative College Pty Ltd (RTO code 45831)
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INSPIRE & LEARN PTY LTD (RTO code 45125)
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INSTITUTE OF ARTIFICIAL AND ADVANCED INTELLIGENCE STUDIES (RTO code 46497)
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Institute of Child Care (RTO code 90720)
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INT College (RTO code 45232)
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International College of Victoria (RTO code 22581)
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INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (RTO code 45150)
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Ithea College (RTO code 22037)
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JH HOWLAND GROUP PTY LTD (RTO code 46092)
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Lawson College Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 40679)
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LiFE Academy (RTO code 51158)
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MAX THERAPY INSTITUTE (RTO code 21113)
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Mechanical Institute of Training and Technology Pty Ltd (RTO code 41577)
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Melbourne City Institute of Education (RTO code 22172)
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National College Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 91000)
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New Horizons Learning Centre (Perth) (RTO code 51771)
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Partners in Training Australia (RTO code 21837)
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Quest Vocational Institute Pty Ltd (RTO code 46443)
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sage education australia (RTO code 5989)
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selectability Training (RTO code 0281)
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SERO INSTITUTE (RTO code 32303)
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SIGNATURE TRAINING PTY. LTD. (RTO code 32000)
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Signet Institute of Australia (RTO code 40898)
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STAR COLLEGE AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. (RTO code 41267)
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Sydney Gateway College (RTO code 45786)
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TAFE Gippsland (RTO code 0417)
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TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
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THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLORS (RTO code 0670)
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The Spectrum Organization (RTO code 2441)
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Transformational Institute (RTO code 31269)
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Universal Training Institute Pty Ltd (RTO code 45975)
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VACCHO (RTO code 20739)
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How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.