Mental health courses
Two certificates can get you into mental health support work, one for people with lived experience and one for anyone starting out. The shorter takes under a year. Here's what each course leads to, how long it takes and what it costs.
- Quickest way to start
- 4 months
- Certificate IV, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $1,990
- subsidised Certificate IV, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $65,000
- median pay across 1 job, some estimated
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
A certificate IV in mental health support
Work as a mental health support worker
Support people living with mental illness in their recovery, working alongside them, their families and other services.
Median pay$65,000 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- 4 to 18 months full time
- What it costs
- $1,990 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $9,210 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or on the job
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate IV in Mental Health | Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,990 | $10,760 | $1,990 | $9,210 |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $4,779 | $12,744 | Not listed | Not listed |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $5,764 | $13,684 | Not listed | Not listed |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $3,255 | $7,815 | $3,255 | $7,815 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- $1,990 subsidised
- $10,760 full fee
- Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
- $1,990 subsidised
- $9,210 full fee
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- $4,779 subsidised
- $12,744 full fee
- Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
- Not listed
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- $5,764 subsidised
- $13,684 full fee
- Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
- Not listed
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- $3,255 subsidised
- $7,815 full fee
- Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
- $3,255 subsidised
- $7,815 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
The mental health certificates compared
Both certificates prepare you for entry level work in mental health support, and both include a supervised placement in a real service. The main difference is who each one is designed for. Both can be studied online at one or more providers.
- Certificate IV in Mental HealthFor anyone who wants to support people living with mental illness or psychiatric disability, with the person setting their own direction for recovery. Trauma informed practice and a supervised placement are part of it.How long4 to 18 monthsWho it's forAnyone new to the sector
- Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer WorkFor people who have lived experience of mental illness, either as a consumer or as a carer, and want to use that experience to support others. You learn to draw on it purposefully and safely in a mental health service.How long1 yearWho it's forPeople with lived experience
Short university courses
- Graduate Certificate in Mental Health6 months. For people already working in health who want to build their skills in mental health assessment, care planning and practice.
- Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice6 months. Covers how the mental health system works, assessment and care planning, and introductory counselling, and can lead on to further counselling study.
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.