Is this a clinical qualification?

No. It is a community mental health support qualification. The register places the work in non-government organisations, outreach, centre-based programs, respite, residential services and rehabilitation - alongside clinical settings, but not as clinical practice.

What does "recovery oriented" mean here?

It is the practice model the qualification is built on: support directed by the person receiving it, aimed at their own goals, rather than treatment directed at them. Three of the eleven core units name it explicitly.

Do I need a Certificate III first?

No. The register records no entry requirements for CHC43315, unlike the Certificate IV in Disability Support. Providers may set their own.

Can I get CHC43315 through RPL?

Often, yes, particularly for people with lived experience working in peer roles. Whether RPL is offered is decided by each provider.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. This qualification usually includes mandatory work placement.

CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health

About this qualification

CHC43315 is the qualification for community mental health work. The register describes workers who “provide self-directed recovery oriented support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability”, across “community based non-government organisations; home based outreach; centre-based programs; respite care; residential services, rehabilitation programs; clinical settings; or supporting people in employment”.

Eleven of its fifteen units are core — a high proportion, and a sign that this is a qualification with a defined practice model rather than a configurable one. Recovery relationships, recovery-oriented services, working with the care network, co-existing mental health and AOD issues, trauma informed care, self advocacy, and assessing wellbeing.

Two units stand out as marking the field's direction: CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care and CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety are both core, not elective.

Roles it maps to

Roles described on the national register for CHC43315.

Mental Health Support Worker Community Rehabilitation Worker Outreach Worker Peer Support Worker

Where it sits

CHC43315 is the mental health stream of the community services ladder.

Certificate IIICHC33021 Individual Support
Certificate IV · you are hereCHC43315 Mental Health
DiplomaCHC52025 Community Services
Advanced DiplomaCHC62015 Community Sector Management

What it covers

11Core units

4Elective units

Fifteen units in total. At least two electives must come from the listed bank, including at least one from the At Risk group, with up to two from any endorsed training package or accredited course relevant to the work outcome.

The 11 core units, required by everyone:

CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self advocacy
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

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

Frequently asked questions

Is this a clinical qualification?: No. It is a community mental health support qualification. The register places the work in non-government organisations, outreach, centre-based programs, respite, residential services and rehabilitation — alongside clinical settings, but not as clinical practice.
What does “recovery oriented” mean here?: It is the practice model the qualification is built on: support directed by the person receiving it, aimed at their own goals, rather than treatment directed at them. Three of the eleven core units name it explicitly.
Do I need a Certificate III first?: No. The register records no entry requirements for CHC43315, unlike the Certificate IV in Disability Support. Providers may set their own.
Can I get CHC43315 through RPL?: Often, yes, particularly for people with lived experience working in peer roles. Whether RPL is offered is decided by each provider.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. This qualification usually includes mandatory work placement.

Other registered providers

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

QLD

EXELL TRAINING PTY. LTD.RTO 45040

Deliver and assess · National
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
VIC

The Management EdgeRTO 3927

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Open CollegesRTO 90796

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Insight Training Group AustraliaRTO 32142

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Maxwells ServicesRTO 90924

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

River Oak College Pty LtdRTO 46425

Deliver and assess · National
VIC

WISE Employment LtdRTO 6653

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

SKILLS GENERATION PTY LTDRTO 41008

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

National College of AustraliaRTO 45361

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 156 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 Mental Health

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