AOD or Mental Health?

CHC43215 is alcohol and other drugs; CHC43315 is mental health. They overlap deliberately - CHCMHS001 is core here and CHCMHS005 covers co-existing AOD issues there. Many workers hold both, and some employers ask for a dual qualification.

Do I need a Certificate III first?

No. The register records no entry requirements for CHC43215.

Is this a counselling qualification?

No. It covers assessment, brief interventions and treatment planning within AOD services. Counselling has separate qualifications and professional requirements.

Why is First Aid a core unit?

HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is core because withdrawal, residential and outreach settings carry real medical risk. It is unusual to see it as core at Certificate IV and it says something honest about the work.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Placement usually applies.

CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

About this qualification

CHC43215 is the alcohol and other drugs qualification. The register describes “entry level workers who provide services and interventions to clients with alcohol and other drugs issues”, working in “community based organisations, withdrawal services, residential rehabilitation services and outreach services”.

Seventeen units, twelve core. Four of them are AOD-specific and sequential: working in an AOD context, assessing needs, providing interventions, and developing and reviewing individual treatment plans. That is the shape of the actual job.

CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs and CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues are both core. The sector's position on co-occurring mental health and substance use is written into the qualification rather than left to an elective.

HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is also core — unusual at this level, and a straightforward acknowledgement of what withdrawal and outreach work can involve.

Roles it maps to

Settings named on the national register for CHC43215.

AOD Worker Withdrawal Support Worker Residential Rehabilitation Worker Outreach Worker AOD Case Worker

Where it sits

Where CHC43215 sits in the community services ladder.

Certificate IIICHC32015 Community Services
Certificate IV · you are hereCHC43215 Alcohol and Other Drugs
Certificate IVCHC43315 Mental Health
DiplomaCHC52025 Community Services

What it covers

12Core units

5Elective units

Seventeen units in total. At least three electives from the listed bank, with up to two from that bank, any endorsed training package or an accredited course, provided they are relevant to the work outcome.

The 12 core units, required by everyone:

CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
CHCCCS014 Provide brief interventions
CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

AOD or Mental Health?: CHC43215 is alcohol and other drugs; CHC43315 is mental health. They overlap deliberately — CHCMHS001 is core here and CHCMHS005 covers co-existing AOD issues there. Many workers hold both, and some employers ask for a dual qualification.
Do I need a Certificate III first?: No. The register records no entry requirements for CHC43215.
Is this a counselling qualification?: No. It covers assessment, brief interventions and treatment planning within AOD services. Counselling has separate qualifications and professional requirements.
Why is First Aid a core unit?: HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is core because withdrawal, residential and outreach settings carry real medical risk. It is unusual to see it as core at Certificate IV and it says something honest about the work.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Placement usually applies.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

NSW

TAFE NSWRTO 90003

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275

Deliver and assess · National
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
NSW

Open CollegesRTO 90796

Deliver and assess · National
VIC

WISE Employment LtdRTO 6653

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

National College of AustraliaRTO 45361

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Australian Institute of Professional CounsellorsRTO 0670

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

The Da'Vange GroupRTO 45241

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

AH&MRC of NSWRTO 91020

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

UpskilledRTO 40374

Deliver and assess · National
NT

Dovaston Consulting GroupRTO 1886

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Health Security & EducationRTO 40907

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 44 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

More in Community Services

Other qualifications in the CHC training package, nearest level first.

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Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

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