Key details
Duration
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
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCourse code
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.
International VET Package
Course information flyer(s)
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"
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.
Code | Module/Unit of Competency | Hours |
Core units of competency | ||
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | 40 |
CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care | 40 |
CHCMHS008 | Promote and facilitate self advocacy | 50 |
CHCMHS011 | Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing | 80 |
CHCPWK001 | Apply peer work practices in the mental health sector | 35 |
CHCPWK002 | Contribute to the continuous improvement of mental health services | 40 |
CHCPWK003 | Apply lived experience in mental health peer work | 40 |
HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety | 20 |
Total nominal hours for core units | 345 | |
Elective units of competency (Select 7 units) | ||
Group B - Carer Peer Work Specialisation | ||
CHCPWK005 | Work effectively with carers as a mental health peer worker | 40 |
Other electives | ||
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically | 55 |
CHCCCS023 | Support independence and wellbeing | 80 |
CHCMHS004 | Work collaboratively with the care network and other services | 75 |
CHCMHS005 | Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues | 90 |
CHCMHS006 | Facilitate the recovery process with the person, family and carers | 50 |
HLTWHS006 | Manage personal stressors in the work environment | 25 |
Total nominal hours for elective units | 415 | |
Total nominal hours for the qualification | 760 |
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

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

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