CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health

Possible occupations relevant to this qualification include:

• Community rehabilitation worker
• Community rehabilitation and Support Worker
• Outreach Officer
• Mental Health Outreach Worker
• Assistant Community Services Worker

Skill recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is the acknowledgement of a person's skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work or life experience, which may be used to grant status or credit in a subject regardless of how and where they were attained, including overseas.This can include skills from:

• Previous study excluding courses at another VET/TAFE institution, but including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work;
• Work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and/or
• Life experience (for example leisure pursuits or voluntary work).

RPL is a form of assessment. It is used to determine whether a person has acquired, through formal or informal learning, the skills and experience consistent with the stated competency standards that comprise a qualification. RPL is not time referenced, so there are no parameters on how or when the skills are acquired. However, the skills that have been acquired through life experience etc., must be current and must match the elements and performance criteria contained in the individual unit.

Students seeking RPL need to indicate this on their enrolment form at the time of enrolment.

For further information please refer to the Applicant's Guide to the Recognition of Prior Learning or contact Student Central on 1800 061 963 (free call) or email Student.Central@cdu.edu.au.

Credit Transfer

Charles Darwin University as a Registered Training Organisation recognises the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statement of Attainments issued by any other Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Students are encouraged to submit any requests for credit from previous studies at the time of enrolment, to ensure they are not enrolling in units they may not need to undertake.

In order to apply for exemption/credit transfer from units completed at another training organisation, you will need to complete an Application for Exemption Form available from any campus, centre, or team, or a copy of the form can be obtained from the web.

Your completed Application for Exemption form together with attached documentary evidence (certified copy of Qualification/Statement of Attainment) to support your request for exemption/credit transfer should be submitted directly to the University either in person or by mail. Requests without documentary evidence will not be processed and will be returned to students. There are no fees attached to Credit Transfers.

Pathways

VET to Higher Education Pathway Mapping for completed Awards in the same field or discipline.

Students who successfully complete VET qualifications at the Certificate IV level or above and subsequently enrol in a Bachelor degree in the same field or discipline, will receive advanced standing as detailed in the table below.

CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health - 2026

There are no mandatory requirements; however, candidates who wish to commence this course need to have the required skills and knowledge to undertake the qualification at this level, e.g., completion of Year 10 or equivalent and a general command of spoken and written English to be able to meet industry standards for communication. A pre-assessment may be required.

A Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy (LLND) evaluation helps identify any areas where you may need additional support to help you achieve your goals.

To be eligible to undertake a mandatory work placement in a mental health care setting, students may be required to obtain the following specific vocational clearances: 

•  A Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card)
• A National Police Check
• Students may also require occupational health screening, including vaccinations.

Students must hold these clearances or be willing to obtain them if required by host work placement organisations.

Required Resources
Students will have 24/7 access to assessments and learning resources on CDU's online learning platform Learnline. Before using Learnline however, students will need to ensure that their computer has the correct setup.

There may be costs if the student is not employed and is required to undertake work placement:

• Working With Children Clearance - Standard Fee (Employment) $87.00
• Working with Children Clearance - Concession Fee (Volunteer) $8.00
• National Police Check - Standard Fee (Employment) $89.00
• National Police Check - Concession Fee (Volunteer) $17.00
• NDIS Worker Screening Check - Standard Fee (Employment) $87.00
• NDIS Worker Screening Check - Concession Fee (Volunteer) $8.00

Apply through SAFE NT Online Applications.

This is a current, nationally accredited qualification from the CHC Community Services Training Package.

Employability Skills are embedded in the training and assessment of national training package qualifications. Information on the Employability Skills relevant to your qualification can be obtained by visiting this website and keying in the national code for the qualification: training.gov.au

Delivery at all locations is subject to sufficient demand and resources.



Locations: Alice Springs, Casuarina, Online



Study Mode:On campus, online, both, workplace assessment



Subject to demand other locations and modes may become available throughout the year.