Skip to main content

Key details

Duration

1 year/s

This program is delivered over a period of 12 to 24 months. The length of time to complete this qualification will depend on the location, study mode and/or units selected and will vary depending upon how long a student takes to reach the required competency level.

Intake

Locations

Alice Springs, Casuarina, Katherine
Not available to international students.

Course code

CHC43515

Overview

This qualification reflects the role of workers who have lived experience of mental illness as either a consumer or carer and who work in mental health services in roles that support consumer peers or carer peers. Workers are employed in the mental health sector in government, public, private or community managed services.

To achieve this qualification, candidates must have completed at least 80 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.

Career opportunities

Possible occupations relevant to this qualification include:

  • mental health Peer Worker
  • community rehabilitation and support worker
  • community support worker
  • mental health rehabilitation support worker
  • mental health support worker
  • mental health outreach worker

Credit transfers and advanced standing

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.

Completed Award Course Level
HE
VET
to a HE Award
Credit granted for a completed award in the same field
Certificate IV
*
3 year Bachelor award
up to 40 credit points
Certificate IV
*
4 year Bachelor award
up to 40 credit points
Diploma
*
*
3 year Bachelor award
up to 80 credit points
Diploma
*
*
4 year Bachelor award
up to 80 credit points
Advanced Diploma
*
*
3 year Bachelor award
up to 160 credit points
Advanced Diploma
*
*
4 year Bachelor award
up to 160 credit points
Associate Degree
*
3 year Bachelor award
up to 160 credit points
Associate Degree
*
4 year Bachelor award
up to 160 credit points

Further training pathways from this qualification include but are not limited to Diploma Level qualifications in Community Services or other related fields in the VET sector.

There is often credit or advanced standing given to Higher Education courses for students who have successfully completed this training, but this is at the discretion of the higher education provider. Please contact the higher education institution for advice.

Fees

2023 course fee for students who are eligible for an NT Government supported place is $2,660.00, and for students who are not eligible is $7,600.00.

VET fee exempt

Exemptions apply to VET tuition fees for NTG supported courses only.

At the time of enrolment, students in these categories will be exempt from paying tuition fees:

  • Recipient of a Centrelink payment
  • Recipient of a Veteran's Affairs payment
  • Enrolled Secondary Students
  • Permanent residents with refugee or humanitarian status

Certified copy of the evidence must be provided at the time of enrolment.

If your course is delivered in a location that is listed on the NTG’s Location Categories for VET Funded Programs, with remote as the location category you may be eligible for the Remote 2 Location tuition fee exemption.

Delivery allowance for VET funded programs

CDU Aquaculture students

Why study at CDU?

"Study with the Territory's largest Training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience. Whether you're a high school student or a working professional, we've got the courses and qualifications you want plus the support and flexibility you need to succeed.

  • Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
  • Access to first-class facilities
  • Recognition of prior learning to qualify faster"
VET-palmerston-cookery-flipped

Why study at CDU?

"Study with the Northern Territory's largest training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience.

  • Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
  • Access to first-class facilities
  • Recognition of prior learning accepted
  • Packages into higher education available for most courses"

What will I study?

To achieve a CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work a total of fifteen (15) units of competency must be completed comprising eight (8) Core and seven (7) Elective units as detailed in the packaging rules and listed below.

Course structure

The total nominal hours for the sequence listed below is 760.

CodeModule/Unit of CompetencyHours
Core units of competency
CHCDIV001Work with diverse people40
CHCMHS007Work effectively in trauma informed care40
CHCMHS008Promote and facilitate self advocacy50
CHCMHS011Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing80
CHCPWK001Apply peer work practices in the mental health sector35
CHCPWK002Contribute to the continuous improvement of mental health services40
CHCPWK003Apply lived experience in mental health peer work40
HLTWHS001Participate in workplace health and safety20
 Total nominal hours for core units345
Elective units of competency (Select 7 units)
Group B - Carer Peer Work Specialisation
CHCPWK005Work effectively with carers as a mental health peer worker40
Other electives
CHCLEG001Work legally and ethically55
CHCCCS023Support independence and wellbeing80
CHCMHS004Work collaboratively with the care network and other services75
CHCMHS005Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues90
CHCMHS006Facilitate the recovery process with the person, family and carers50
HLTWHS006Manage personal stressors in the work environment25
 Total nominal hours for elective units415
 Total nominal hours for the qualification760

 

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

There are no mandatory entry requirements for this qualification, however, applicants 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, must have a general command of spoken and written English, computer literacy and have completed one of the following to be able to meet industry standards for communication.

  • My Recovery Together program
  • Certificate IV in Mental Health, or
  • A personal development course

Generally, candidates will require evidence of the following for work placement:

  • A criminal history check
  • An Ochre Card as per NT Legislation. If you have not yet obtained an Ochre Card, please contact SAFENT

CDU brings social work to life. The lecturers are experts from various sectors of social work practice.

Chigozie

CDU Student

Chigozie on campus

CDU brings social work to life. The lecturers are experts from various sectors of social work practice.

Chigozie

CDU student

Chigozie on campus

Course details

Accreditation

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

Employability skills

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

Location and study mode

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

Locations: Alice Springs, Casuarina, Katherine

Study Mode: On campus

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

Additional information

Sector
Vocational Education & Training
Industry groups
COMMUNITY SERVICES, HEALTH AND EDUCATION
Occupation types
Disabilities Services Officer
Area of study
Community Services, Health and Nursing, Community Services and Social Work, Health

Contact details

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.au. Phone: 1800 061 963 (free call).

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

How to apply for domestic students

CDU TAFE has several pathways for you to apply.

 

Visit How to apply for CDU TAFE courses for more information.

 

Admission requirements for domestic students

Before applying, you may want to check if you meet the admission requirements for studying with CDU.

 

CDU has many pathways to study, so don't worry if you don't meet the admission requirements right now. There is a study pathway to get you started on your journey.

Not sure if you are a domestic or international student?

That's OK - it can be a little tricky to know the difference.

 

To help you out, we've put together a guide to answer any questions you might have.

How to apply for international students

Applications to CDU must be submitted online.

 

The process is simple, all you need is a valid email address to create your online account.

 

Once you have started the application you will have the option of saving your application and resuming it at a later date.

 

There is no application fee when you apply online.

Find a CDU agent partner

Applicants may seek further information about international education in Australia from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training or from our overseas / external representatives.

 

To help with the process, we've compile a list of authorised representatives.

Not sure if you are a domestic or international student?

That's OK - it can be a little tricky to know the difference.

 

To help you out, we've put together a guide to answer any questions you might have.

 

Things like the difference between domestic and international students or the difference between course types like TAFE and undergraduate.

We’re here to help you

Where do you live? *

By submitting this form you agree to receive future student communications such as key date reminders, study tips, real student stories and more. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy for more information.