The CHC53315 – Diploma of Mental Health equips students with the skills and knowledge to support individuals facing mental health challenges. Through a combination of theoretical learning and 160 hours of professional experience placement, students gain hands-on experience in real-world settings. The course focuses on recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care, preparing graduates to provide essential services such as counselling, advocacy, and community health promotion. With a strong emphasis on cultural competence, including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, students are trained to manage complex cases and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
Graduates will be well-prepared for roles like Mental Health Support Worker, Community Rehabilitation Worker, and Outreach Worker. This qualification also offers a pathway to further studies in mental health or social work. With the increasing demand for mental health professionals, this course provides a solid foundation for a rewarding career in a field that is both impactful and in high demand.
Course Duration : | 18 months |
AQF Level : | 5 |
CRICOS Code : | 108320J |
Mode of Delivery : | Face to Face |
Delivery Locations : | Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane |
Professional Experience Placement (PEP): |
160 Hours |
IHNA Policies, Procedures & Forms | |
Check this course currency on the National Register of VET |
The Diploma of Mental Health equips individuals with the skills to support people experiencing mental health challenges. The course covers mental health assessment, case management, and recovery-oriented care. Graduates are prepared for roles such as Mental Health Support Worker or Case Manager, working in various settings, including community services, healthcare, and residential facilities, to promote mental well-being and recovery.
20 units are required for award of this qualification including:
CHCDIV001 | Work with Diverse people |
CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety |
CHCMHS009 | Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs |
CHCEDU001 | Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies |
CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing |
CHCADV005 | Provide systems advocacy services |
CHCCSM005 | Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management |
CHCAOD001 | Work in an alcohol and other drugs context |
CHCMHS005 | Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues |
CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
CHCMHS012 | Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives |
CHCMHS013 | Implement trauma informed care |
CHCCSL002 | Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills |
CHCPOL003 | Research and apply evidence to practice |
CHCDEV001 | Confirm Client developmental status |
HLTWHS004 | Manage work health and safety |
CHCMHS002 | Establish self-directed recovery relationships |
CHCMHS003 | Provide recovery oriented Mental health services |
CHCMHS004 | Work collaboratively with the care network and other services |
CHCMHS010 | Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity |
With CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health in hand, you’ll be able to work professionally as a:
The total tuition cost for the CHC53315 – Diploma of Mental Health is AUD $24,000 for international students.
*Speak to our team to know about current scholarships.
To know more about the IHNA Fees & Charges, click here.
Melbourne Campus |
Perth Campus |
Sydney Campus |
Brisbane Campus |
Students are required to attend 20 contact hours per week physically at the campus and professional experience placements.
Professional Experience Placement (PEP) is essential to some of this course’s
units. Students will commence the 160 hours of placement (PEP) upon completing all
theory assessments, including simulation-based assessments (SBA). During the
practical placement, students will apply the required essential knowledge and skills
to demonstrate competency for the units that require workplace demonstration.
Each student will work with a workplace supervisor at the Professional Experience Placement (PEP) facility.
An IHNA trainer and assessor will monitor the student’s progress during the PEP. All
PEPs are arranged by IHNA. Students may arrange PEP by themselves if preferred, as
agreed with and in consultation with, the course coordinator.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification; however, applicants should demonstrate an ability to perform tasks as required by the industry.
All IHNA students must complete the Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) assessment to ensure that students meet the necessary requirements for successfully undertaking the course. IHNA administers the LLND test to evaluate each student’s suitability.
Our approach is to collect evidence on whether the student can perform to the standards of the workplace. This is based on the relevant unit of competency, and you’ll find these tools being used:
You’re also required to have the below learning resource:
With RPL we assess your competency based on formal, non-formal, informal learning or direct work experience based on the required skills of the course.
We use CT where you’ve completed units of study at another TAFE College or Registered Training Organisation that meet the requirements of another course. We grant credit according to the Certification, Issuing, and Recognition of Qualifications and Statements of Attainment. Assessing a CT is free.
If you’re eligible for RPL or CT you may be able to complete the course in a shorter duration with reduction to total course fees. Check your eligibility with us.
L – Portfolio is a collection of work, skills and interests (evidence) in an electronic format that showcases learning and experience over time.
When you think about your L-Portfolio and the types of evidence that it contains, it is important to think carefully about its purpose and intended audience.
Your L-Portfolio may contain all or some of the following:
Recognition of Prior Learning application:
Our RPL tool is in the form of an L-Portfolio, and allows students to put on record all their life experiences, interests and skills. Not only will their academic achievement be listed out, but also any life experiences that could potentially be taken into account for extra credit as Recognition of Prior Learning. For instance, an individual who has taken care of his or her bedridden parent has already gained valuable caregiver experience, which could be chalked up against practical expertise and added to their resume.
This L-Portfolio could be sent to employers when applying for work, to universities while applying for extra credits through RPL, or in any other ways to market their expertise.
Showcase/Professional L Portfolios
These L-Portfolios are used as a way to demonstrate (showcase) the highlights of a student’s academic and professional career.
Learning Portfolios
These portfolios are typically created by a student as part of a course as a way to demonstrate learning and the learning process. These portfolios are often shared with other students to elicit peer feedback. Learning portfolios support the idea of formative feedback as an essential part of the learning process.
Call us on 1800 22 52 83 for any questions regarding your application.
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