HomeCoursesMental healthCertificate IV in Mental Health
Certificate IV in Mental Health
This qualification prepares you to support people living with mental illness or psychiatric disability, with the work built around the person setting their own direction for recovery.
- Duration: 4 months to 18 months
- Study mode: Online, on campus and workplace based
- Course code: CHC43315
Where you can study this course
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
- Campuses
- 13 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.
- Campuses
- 31 campuses
- Duration
- 4 months to 18 months
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $10,760
- Eligible students: subsidised from $1,990, concession $240
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
- Campuses
- 8 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Some students praise the facilities and campus, while some criticise organisation and admin for being frustrating, and opinions are mixed on course content. A number also mention student support and teaching positively or negatively.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
RMIT University
- Campuses
- 15 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often find organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some praise the facilities and campus and student support.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 5 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- On campus with some online
- Full fee
- $7,815
- Eligible students: subsidised from $3,255, concession $2,265
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
Entry requirements are set by each provider, so check the ones you are considering.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in supporting people's mental health and recovery
- respect for people setting their own direction
- good communication skills for working with families and services
- a willingness to learn from people of diverse backgrounds
What will you learn?
You learn to build recovery focused relationships, work alongside families, carers and other services, and respond well to people dealing with both mental health and alcohol or other drug issues. Trauma informed practice, cultural safety and self advocacy run through the core units, so you graduate able to work with people from many backgrounds. The course includes a supervised work placement, which most students complete in a community organisation, outreach service, residential program or clinical setting.
- Recovery oriented support
- Mental health and drug issues
- Trauma informed care
- Working with diverse people
- Aboriginal cultural safety
- Self advocacy and wellbeing
Units of competency (11 core, 4 elective)
The qualification is made up of 15 units. Everyone completes the 11 core units below, and the remaining 4 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Career pathways
Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.
A recognised route into Mental Health Worker
Mental Health Worker
Mental health workers support people living with mental illness, helping them manage daily life, access services and stay connected to their community.
Explore this career →- Weekly pay
- $1,250
- Full-time share
- 48%
- Employment size
- 10,900 workers
- Average age
- 40 years
- Average full-time hours
- 38 hours
- Gender share
- 72% female
- Future growth
- +12%
- Job market
- In shortage (national)
This is support work, not a psychologist or psychiatrist qualification; workplace and screening requirements still apply.
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).