What is the difference between a Certificate IV in Mental Health and Diploma of Mental Health?

Why study a Mental Health course?

Mental wellness is an ever-evolving field focussed on personal well-being; fitness of the mind. Many people who study Mental Health do so because personal experience (either theirs or a loved one’s) has shown the value of support for mental illness:

  • Resilience
  • Overcoming addiction
  • Working through a personal crisis
  • Saving an important relationship
  • Community development

There are many ways to start your Mental Health career. Here at TrainSmart Australia we offer the two most commonly trod pathways, a Certificate IV in Mental Health and Diploma of Mental Health, plus a range of alternative courses like a Diploma of Counselling, Certificate IV or Diploma of AOD, or Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.

See the full range of Health and Community Services courses here.

Mental Health careers

From Counselling in a crisis to mindfulness for mental health, peer support groups to community well-being, Mental Health courses prepare you for a career defined by positive progress.

Mental Health is a multibillion-dollar industry and growing fast. But a career in Mental Health is about more than money. Especially in the wake of COVID-19, Australians (including all levels of government) value mental well-being highly.

Our courses at a glance

Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315)

  • Duration: 6-9 months
  • Learning method: 2 days per week face-to-face (WA) or online
  • Units to graduate: 15
  • Pre-requisites: N/A
  • Work placement: 80 hours

The Certificate course is perfect for anyone starting out in Mental Health. You will learn the core concepts of individual support like crisis management, self-advocacy, mental health recovery, professional practice and working with diverse people.

After 15 units and 80 hours of professional placement, you will be competent and confident to step into the Mental Health industry in a role like:

  • Outreach Worker
  • Community Worker
  • Mental Health Worker

Diploma of Mental Health (CHC53315)

  • Duration: 12 months
  • Learning method: Face-to-face (WA) or online
  • Units to graduate: 20
  • Pre-requisites: N/A
  • Work placement: 160 hours

Building on the skills and knowledge outlined in the Certificate IV course, a Diploma of Mental Health curates specialist skills that enable you to support people experiencing mental illness.

You will learn about co-existing mental health issues, understand addiction in greater detail, gain skills necessary to facilitate the Counselling process, and apply your own evidence-based research to combat mental illness in Australia.

After graduation you can expect to be competitively placed for a role like:

  • Welfare Support Worker
  • Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker
  • Mental Health Worker
  • Community Worker
  • Welfare Services Manager
  • Counsellor or Case Manager

Not sure which Mental Health course is right for you?

Read more about the courses here:

Then we invite you to apply online to study Mental Health in 2021.

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Ready to learn more?

If you liked this blog post, you’ll love our courses.

Ready to learn more?

If you liked this blog post, you’ll love our courses.