CHC53315 – Diploma of Mental Health

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.

• Flexible Learning: Online theory classes with on-campus simulation workshops.
• Guaranteed Placement: Gain hands-on experience with professional placements.
• Monthly Intakes: Enrol anytime with flexible start dates.
• Comprehensive Student Support: 24/7 access to resources, personalised guidance, and career support.
• Industry Connections: Network with healthcare leaders and gain real-world exposure.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Train with the latest equipment in modern learning environments

20 units are required for award of this qualification including:

• 15 core units
• 5 electives

CORE UNITS

CHCADV005	Provide systems advocacy services
CHCDIV001	Work with Diverse people
CHCDIV002	Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCMHS002	Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003	Provide recovery oriented Mental health services
CHCMHS004	Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCMHS005	Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS009	Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
CHCMHS010	Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
CHCMHS011	Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
CHCMHS012	Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
CHCMHS013	Implement trauma informed care
CHCPOL003	Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPRP003	Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTWHS004	Manage work health and safety

ELECTIVES

CHCAOD001	Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
CHCEDU001	Provide community focused health promotion and prevention strategies
CHCCSM004	Coordinate complex case requirements
CHCDEV004	Confirm developmental status
CHCCSL002	Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills

Students completing this qualification can further their studies and go on to do:

• CHC51015 – Diploma of Counselling
• CHC52021 – Diploma of Community Services
• CHC50421 – Diploma of Youth Work
• CHC53215 – Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
• BSB50420 – Diploma of Leadership and Management
• HLT54121- Diploma of Nursing
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Bachelor of Mental Health

With CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health in hand, you’ll be able to work professionally as a:

• Mental Health Community Worker
• Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker
• Welfare Support Worker
• Community Rehabilitation Worker
• Community Support Worker
• Mental Health Support Worker
• Mental Health Outreach Worker

Melbourne Campus

Perth Campus

Sydney Campus

Brisbane Campus

Campus Tour Video

• Perth
• Sydney
• Heidelberg
• Melbourne CBD
• Brisbane

The course is provided through the supervised, structured, blended mode of delivery. It will be delivered and assessed over 1355 hours in 78 weeks, including training sessions for 1043 hours, assessments for 152 hours and 160 hours of professional experience placement (PEP).

20 contact hours will be delivered through online learning, which includes theory, simulation-based training, and assessment. Students can only progress to the PEP of the qualification once they have completed all assessment requirements of the theoretical component, including simulated procedures.

Besides the above-structured learning, students are advised that they will be required to do approximately 10 hours per week of self-paced learning.

The delivery mode is subject to your eligibility to access state funding requirements and other conditions. Please get in touch with our admissions consultants to learn more

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) is essential to some of this course’s units. IHNA Guarantees Professional Experience Placement for all its student studying Diploma of Mental Health. 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.

Note: Where a student breaches the PEP requirements as stated in the Entry Requirements, they could be excluded from their PEP. IHNA will not be responsible for any such exclusion.

There are no formal entry requirements for this course; however, applicants should demonstrate ability to perform tasks as required by the industry.

IHNA Admission Requirements

• 18 years of age and above at the time of commencement of the course
• Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 qualification or equivalent possess basic computer skills

^*Mature age students (22+) may also be considered without the minimum education requirements. Each case will be reviewed individually to ascertain the capacity of the applicant to meet course requirements.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND)

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.

Digital literacy

• Basic computer skills covering the most common usages of a computer, including managing computer files, word processing, using spreadsheets and databases; creating presentations; finding information and communicating using computers; and being aware of social and ethical implications of Internet use.
• Having own computer (desktop or laptop) to facilitate the training and assessment.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Requirements

• A satisfactory National Police Clearance (NCC) or Australian Federal Police (AFP) Clearance certificate
• Immunisation records
• Working With Children check (WWCC)
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) clearance
• Students must declare a disability or disorder (if any), or if they are on any medication which may require reasonable adjustments

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:

• Theory Assessments (TA)
• Simulation Based Assessments (SBA)
• Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

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.

What is a L – Portfolio?

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:

• Files of various formats (text, pictures, video, etc.)
• Evidence related to courses taken, programs of study, etc.
• Writing samples (which might include several drafts to show development and improvement)
• Projects prepared for class or extracurricular activities
• Evidence of creativity and performance
• Evidence of extracurricular or co-curricular activities, including examples of leadership
• Evaluations, analysis and recommendations

Uses of L-Portfolio

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.

1. Application: Submit your online application by clicking “Enrol Now” on the top right corner of the course page.
2. Interview: Once you’ve met IHNA’s eligibility criteria you will be contacted for an interview with an admissions consultant
3. Offer Letter: If you’re successful with the interview you will be offered a place for the course as per the availability of each intake.
4. Enrolment Fee: After signing the offer acceptance an invoice will be issued for the course. You may be eligible for government funding, so please call our team to know more.
5. Confirmation of Admission: We will issue a conformation of admission once the enrolment fee has been received.

Call us on 1800 22 52 83 for any questions regarding your application.

• How long will it take to complete this course?

  Duration of the course is 78 weeks

• Can I study at my own time?

  Yes, you can study at your own time however if you are a domestic student receiving government funding it is mandatory that you attend classes.

• Do I need to visit campus for any session?

  Domestic students are required to attend classes online.

• Can I do the practical assessment or Simulation based assessment (SBA) at campus?

  SBAs (Simulation Based Assessments) can be done online.

• Is there any flexibility in attending SBA ?

  Ideally it would be best to attend the SBA when it is scheduled by the trainer. Some of the SBAs require an audience which may be difficult to achieve if all the students do not show up for SBA at the scheduled time.

• Do you Offer professional experience placement (PEP)?

  IHNA (Institute of Health and Nursing Australia) assists students in finding placement. However, we highly recommend students to volunteer at a community service organisation which might lead to gaining work placement or even a job.

• Can I do 1 day in Morning batch and remaining sessions on Evening batch?

  Students should stick to morning or evening batch. It’s not recommended that students switch. If student cannot make it on the scheduled time because of extenuating circumstances, then they can attend the other session or listen to the recording.

• If I choose the morning 5-day class batch, in case I am unable to attend any 1-day class, can I study it on my own time?

  Yes, you can catch up what you missed by listening to recordings and contacting the trainer on support days.

• Is the PEP flexible?

  PEP is flexible in terms of which days you complete the placement. The total number of hours to be completed and the activities to be completed are not negotiable. You can do more than the required hours but not less than the stipulated 160 hours.

• Are the SBA and PEP mandatory?

  Yes, SBA and PEP are mandatory.

• How many days I must attend class? Is there any flexibility in attending class?

  Classes are schedule on Monday to Friday from 9am 1 pm AEST and 5 pm to 9pm AEST, Lecture and tutorial classes run from Monday to Thursday. Friday is support session. Student engagement is mandatory in all five days. It can be captured through attending classes, completing activities in canvas and completing assessments in student hub.

• Can I fast track this study?

  You can fast track if you have RPL or credit transfer for some of the units. If you are a full fee-paying student, you can fast track it.

• Can I get RPL or credit transfer?

  RPL and credit transfer is possible provided you have the proper evidence to prove you have the relevant knowledge and skills.

• Can I complete the course fully online without attending class?

  The course has PEP which is face to face in a relevant workplace. Theory and simulation can be completed online.

• Is there any pre-recorded session?

  Pre-recorded session for all units are available to students in canvas.

• Is it mandatory to attend full day class?

  It’s not mandatory to attend full day of class but it is important to show evidence of participation by engaging in class, completing canvas activities and engaging with trainers.

• Is there any problem if I missed 01 – 02-hour class on a scheduled day?

  Students will be able to catch up if they miss a one or two hours. However, its ideal not to miss the first couple of hours.

• What software proficiency I will learn in SBA?

  You will be using 3 different platform to complete the course, Student hub, Canvas and MS office suite.