CHC43315 · Certificate IV
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Step into a mental health support career with a nationally recognised Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) — 100% online with weekly live classes. Government-funded from $225 through the Queensland Government’s Career Boost program for eligible students across Queensland.
- Duration20 weeks delivery*
- Placement80 hours
- DeliveryOnline
- Next intakeRolling intake — enrol any time
- Where5 locations
Overview
Work that genuinely matters.
The CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health reflects the role of workers who provide self-directed recovery-oriented support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability. You’ll learn to work with people, their families and the wider care network to implement individual plans, promote self-advocacy and respond safely in a crisis. Delivered 100% online by Sage Education Australia with weekly live classes and an 80-hour work requirement in a mental health context.
What you'll learn
Practical skills, and the judgement to use them well.
- Recovery-oriented practiceSupport people to lead self-directed lives on their own recovery journey — the core framework of contemporary mental health work in Australia.
- Trauma-informed careUnderstand the impact of trauma, recognise trauma responses and adapt your practice to avoid re-traumatisation.
- Respond to crisisRecognise the signs of a mental health crisis and respond safely, calmly and within your organisation’s protocols.
- Co-existing mental health and AODSupport people navigating both mental health and alcohol or other drug challenges — a common, complex client group.
- Work with the care networkCollaborate with GPs, psychologists, nurses, family, carers and community services to wrap coordinated support around a person.
- Cultural safety and diversityWork respectfully with people of all backgrounds, with a specific focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.
Course units
15 units of competency.
11 core units plus 4 electives.
Core units 11
- CHCDIV001Work with diverse people
- CHCDIV002Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
- CHCLEG001Work legally and ethically
- CHCMHS002Establish self-directed recovery relationships
- CHCMHS003Provide recovery oriented mental health services
- CHCMHS004Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
- CHCMHS005Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
- CHCMHS007Work effectively in trauma informed care
- CHCMHS008Promote and facilitate self advocacy
- CHCMHS011Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
- HLTWHS001Participate in workplace health and safety
Elective units 4
- CHCCCS019Recognise and respond to crisis situations
- CHCCCS037Visit client residence
- CHCCDE018Develop and implement community programs
- CHCCOM002Use communication to build relationships
11 core units plus 4 electives, including one from the “At Risk” group (CHCCCS019). Electives may change as the training package is updated.
Delivery & duration
Day or evening. Built around a life that’s already full.
Self-paced online
Study around work and life. Log in and work through your units at your own pace, backed by a student support team on phone, email and message.
Weekly live online classes
Every week, a live class with an experienced trainer — not pre-recorded videos. Real teaching, real Q&A, real conversation with your cohort.
Rolling intake, personal calendar
Units run on a rolling schedule so you can join at several points through the year. Your delivery calendar is shared when you enrol.
Vocational placement
80 hours of hands-on placement.
- 80 hours of work in a mental health context — three ways to meet it
- Already in a mental health role? Your current work counts
- In aged care, disability or another care role? If your workplace can support mental-health-context tasks and supervision, it may count — we’ll help you set it up
- Neither? We work with industry partners to arrange a placement for you
- A Police Certificate, Blue Card or NDIS Worker Screening may be required by your host
How long does it take?
100% online with weekly live classes over 20 weeks. Units run on a rolling schedule, so you can join at several points through the year and complete each unit as it’s delivered. Your enrolment period is 12 months. Meaningful engagement each week is required — extended inactivity puts your enrolment at risk under the Student Handbook. Already have mental health or care experience? Ask about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at your info session.
Where can I study?
Day and evening availability varies by centre — ask us for the next intake near you.
Course fees
Most students are surprised by what they don’t pay.
Eligible Queensland residents are subsidised and pay only the student co-contribution; students in other states study fee-for-service or with a payment plan. Everyone else can still study — with a payment plan if that helps.
The Queensland Government covers the rest through the Career Boost subsidy. Funding is subject to individual eligibility — one 60-second call confirms your rate. Eligible Career Boost students also get access to up to two subsidised skill sets — see our <a href="/skill-sets/">skill sets</a>.
Not included in your course fee
- National Police CertificateMay be required by some placement hosts or employers. Approximately $50–$60, paid direct to the check provider.
- Blue Card (Working with Children Check)May be required by hosts working with young people. Free for students on placement.
- NDIS Worker Screening CheckMay be required by hosts working under the NDIS. Free for students on placement.
- Printed certificate$50 including postage. Your digital certificate is emailed free as standard.
Refunds. Full refund if you withdraw within the 14-day cooling-off period. Government-funded students receive a full refund of the student contribution if enrolment is cancelled before training starts. The full policy is in the Student Handbook.
Funding is subject to individual eligibility under Queensland Government Career Boost rules. Fees shown are the student contribution for the full 15-unit qualification.
Full Career Boost eligibility rules — read the details. Prefer to earn while you study? See Traineeships & Apprenticeships.
Funding eligibility
Don’t assume you’re eligible. Don’t assume you’re not.
Most Queensland residents qualify. One 60-second call confirms your rate — and whether a past qualification affects it.
You may qualify for Career Boost funding if you:
- Are 15 or older and no longer at school
- Live permanently in Queensland
- Are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa
- Aren’t currently enrolled in another Queensland Government-funded qualification (even on hold or deferred)
- Haven’t completed a Certificate IV or higher (including tertiary/university qualifications) in the last 10 years — school qualifications don’t count against you
The $225 concessional rate also needs one of:
- A Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or DVA card — yours, or you’re a named dependent
- You identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- You have a disability
- You’re from a non-English speaking background
- You’re an adult prisoner
Not eligible for funding? The fee-for-service rate is $3,000 with a 14-day cooling-off period and payment plans available.
Career outcomes
One of Australia’s fastest-growing care sectors.
Graduates step into support roles across community mental health services, NDIS providers, AOD services and youth mental health services. We work with industry partners across these sectors to help graduates find work.
- ShortageWelfare Support Workers on the national Occupation Shortage List
- Fastestgrowing occupation group — Community & Personal Service Workers to 2028
- Prioritynational sector with expanded Commonwealth funding
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Reports and Occupation Shortage List. Labour market figures are indicative — not a guarantee of employment or earnings.
Roles this qualification leads to
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Community Mental Health Worker
- Peer Support Worker
- Community Rehabilitation Worker
- AOD Support Worker
- Youth Mental Health Support Worker
- Recovery Support Worker
- NDIS Mental Health Support Worker
Job titles and requirements vary between employers.
Not a clinical qualification. Sage Education Australia is a vocational training provider, not a clinical mental health service. This course prepares you for a mental health support role — not for clinical practice as a psychologist, counsellor or mental health nurse.
What a day looks like
You start with team handover — what happened overnight, who needs a check-in, what the priorities are. The day is a mix of one-to-one recovery conversations, running groups, connecting people with services they need — housing, GP, Centrelink, AOD counselling — and documenting what you’ve seen and done. When someone is in crisis you respond calmly, using the safety and escalation processes you’ve trained in. The work is emotionally real, and it matters — you’re often the person walking alongside someone through the hardest part of their recovery.
Student story
Placeholder — “I was nervous coming back to study. The trainers made it easy and I had shifts before I even finished.”
Frequently asked
Straight answers.
What’s the difference between the $225 and $300 rates?
The $225 rate is the concessional student contribution — it applies if you hold a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans’ Affairs card (your own or as a named dependent), identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, have a disability, come from a non-English speaking background, or are an adult prisoner. The $300 rate is the standard subsidised contribution for all other eligible Queensland students. Both are subsidised by the Queensland Government’s Career Boost program.
Do I need prior experience to enrol?
No. The course is open to career changers with no prior experience and to people already working in care. Our pre-enrolment conversation makes sure it’s the right course for you and your goals.
I already work in aged care or disability support. Can that count towards the 80 hours?
It may. The 80-hour requirement is for work in a mental health context. If your current role can incorporate mental-health-context tasks with appropriate supervision, we can look at how to make it count. Talk to us at your info session.
Is this a clinical qualification?
No. The Certificate IV in Mental Health qualifies you to work as a mental health support worker. It does not qualify you as a psychologist, counsellor or mental health nurse — those are separate clinical qualifications.
I have lived experience of mental health challenges — is this course suitable?
Many people in mental health support bring lived experience into their practice, and the course is open to anyone who meets the entry requirements. Take your own wellbeing into account when deciding whether the timing is right — some content deals with crisis, trauma and grief.
Will I receive a printed certificate?
Your certificate is issued digitally as standard, at no cost — it’s emailed to you when you complete. A printed copy is available on request for $50 including postage.
Can I get a government subsidy?
Yes, for many of our courses. Sage is a Queensland Government Skills Assure Supplier, delivering subsidised training under Career Start (Certificate III) and Career Boost (Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and skill sets). Eligible students pay a small co-contribution. Some courses, including First Aid, aren’t subsidised. Talk to our team to find out what you qualify for.
Can I study online?
Yes, we do offer online delivery of some of our courses. However, you may need to attend a workshop to acquire practical skills mandatory for vocational placement.
We assess your situation at the time of enrolment and suggest an appropriate study mode.
Do you guarantee employment?
We do not guarantee employment. However, historically, most of your graduates secure employment as soon as they complete their course.
There is overwhelming employment demand currently, and you are very likely to secure a position if you follow our guidelines.
Who will organise my vocational placement?
We will organise your vocational placement when you’re ready to do so. However, please note that you must meet all requirements and acquire practical skills before your vocational placement is confirmed.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support
Sage Education Australia is a vocational training provider, not a clinical service. If you or someone you know needs support right now, please reach out:
- Lifeline 13 11 1424-hour crisis support
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 463624/7 support line
- 13YARN 13 92 7624-hour support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800Ages 5–25
In an emergency, call 000.
Google reviews
What our students say.
Related courses
Where this can lead.
Enquire
Ten minutes with an adviser. A real one.
We’ll check your funding eligibility, talk through campuses and timetables, and give you the next intake date. No pressure, no jargon.
- 1You send the formTakes 30 seconds. Only the details we need to call you back.
- 2An adviser calls youWithin one business day — a real person from one of our centres.
- 3You get a clear answerYour exact fee, next intake, and the campus that suits you.
- RTO 5989
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- Est. 1998
