Upgrade your career in the community services or health industry with this advanced-level course that will qualify you to work in mental health, specialising in alcohol and drug services.
CHC53215 / CHC53315 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs / Diploma of Mental Health
Take your career in community services to the next level with this advanced double qualification. This course is perfect for those looking to work in mental health within the specialised field of drug and alcohol services.
You will develop the skills required to provide support and interventions to people with alcohol and drug issues, respond appropriately to issues of domestic violence and intoxication, and assess and promote social, physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing. You will also learn to advocate on behalf of people with complex coexisting mental health, drug, and alcohol issues. Our highly-experienced team of industry professionals will give you the one-on-guidance needed to succeed in the industry.
Successful completion of this course will give you the essential skills you need to work as a specialised mental health worker in the alcohol and other drugs sector.
Take advantage of our double award offerings and get two qualifications instead of one. In most cases you will only need to complete a few additional units to qualify for the second diploma. Save time, enhance your job prospects, and add value to your skill set with a double award.
As part of your course you will get valuable experience in real workplaces. Our strong partnerships mean you will learn the skills you need while also getting to know potential future employers.
The successful achievement of this dual qualification requires you to complete all core units and 5 CHC53315 elective units and 6 CHC53215 elective units from the list below. You will also be required to undertake 160 hours of vocational placement in an approved setting.
UNIT CODE | UNIT NAME | |
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CHCADV005Provide systems advocacy servicesUnit code: CHCADV005 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to advocate and ensure that government, community and organisational systems broadly support and uphold human rights. |
Provide systems advocacy services | |
CHCAOD001Work in an alcohol and other drugs contextUnit code: CHCAOD001 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. |
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context | |
CHCAOD004Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issuesUnit code: CHCAOD004 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct assessments of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) clients to determine eligibility, service requirements and referral needs. This includes knowledge of factors affecting assessment for a range of different client groups including different genders, youth, older people, mandated and voluntary clients, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. |
Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues | |
CHCAOD006Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issuesUnit code: CHCAOD006 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm, conduct and monitor intervention strategies to address alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues. |
Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues | |
CHCAOD007Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and managementUnit code: CHCAOD007 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to develop strategies for preventing and managing relapse, should it occur, as well as ways to deal effectively with potentially harmful behaviour. |
Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management | |
CHCAOD008Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issuesUnit code: CHCAOD008 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design, implement and monitor ongoing therapeutic interventions drawing on evidence informed models and techniques. It involves holistic consideration of all client needs, and collaboration with other services. |
Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues | |
CHCAOD009Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plansUnit code: CHCAOD009 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to establish treatment goals, and to develop and evaluate individual treatment plans to meet those goals. |
Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans | |
CHCCCS004Assess co-existing needsUnit code: CHCCCS004 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs. |
Assess co-existing needs | |
CHCCOM006Establish and manage client relationshipsUnit code: CHCCOM006 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge to establish and manage professional on-to-one relationships with clients in the context of providing an ongoing health service or intervention. |
Establish and manage client relationships | |
CHCDIV001Work with diverse peopleUnit code: CHCDIV001 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. |
Work with diverse people | |
CHCDIV002Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safetyUnit code: CHCDIV002 Unit description: The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety. |
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | |
CHCMHS002Establish self-directed recovery relationshipsUnit code: CHCMHS002 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote the principles of recovery oriented practice, and to establish and confirm self-directed recovery relationships with people with mental illness. |
Establish self-directed recovery relationships | |
CHCMHS003Provide recovery oriented mental health servicesUnit code: CHCMHS003 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively in providing services to implement a range of strategies as part of recovery oriented service provision for people with mental illness. |
Provide recovery oriented mental health services | |
CHCMHS004Work collaboratively with the care network and other servicesUnit code: CHCMHS004 Unit description: This unit describes the skills knowledge required to work collaboratively with the care network and other potential services for a person with mental illness. This work provides a recovery oriented practice approach, involving a variety of health and community service professionals working collaboratively with the person and their care network. |
Work collaboratively with the care network and other services | |
CHCMHS005Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issuesUnit code: CHCMHS005 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess capacity to support people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and to work collaboratively to provide support and facilitate links to other services. |
Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues | |
CHCMHS007Work effectively in trauma informed careUnit code: CHCMHS007 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care within a service. |
Work effectively in trauma informed care | |
CHCMHS008Promote and facilitate self advocacyUnit code: CHCMHS008 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to encourage, support and promote self-advocacy. The promotion and facilitation of self-advocacy contributes to a person's self-determination, empowerment and right to make informed choices in regard to all aspects of their life. |
Promote and facilitate self advocacy | |
CHCMHS010Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexityUnit code: CHCMHS010 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and respond to issues of complexity when supporting people living with mental illness and their care networks. The unit is based on a strengths-based approach and acknowledges that complexity is not a characteristic of an individual. Complexity may be impacted by a range of interactions between the worker, the organisation and the environmental context. |
Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity | |
CHCMHS011Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeingUnit code: CHCMHS011 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with individuals to assess, promote and review all aspects of wellbeing. |
Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing | |
CHCMHS012Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directivesUnit code: CHCMHS012 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support a person living with mental illness to develop recovery wellness plans and advanced directives. These plans outline the person's preferences and plans to maintain wellness and to direct actions and support strategies should they become unwell. |
Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives | |
CHCMHS013Implement trauma informed careUnit code: CHCMHS013 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote trauma informed care, and to develop strategies to address people's specific trauma needs. Trauma informed care involves providing services that are informed by the knowledge and understanding of the impact of trauma, in particular interpersonal violence and varying service practice to reduce the likelihood of re-traumatisation. |
Implement trauma informed care | |
CHCPOL003Research and apply evidence to practiceUnit code: CHCPOL003 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish the information need, gather information and critically analyse the information for relevance to own work. |
Research and apply evidence to practice | |
CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve own professional practiceUnit code: CHCPRP003 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. |
Reflect on and improve own professional practice | |
CHCPRP002Collaborate in professional practiceUnit code: CHCPRP002 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, implement and evaluate collaborative practice. |
Collaborate in professional practice | |
HLTAID003Provide first aidUnit code: HLTAID003 Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty. The unit applies to all workers who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, include community and workplace settings. |
Provide first aid | |
HLTWHS004Manage work health and safetyUnit code: HLTWHS004 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, maintain and evaluate work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and programs in the relevant work area, according to WHS legislative requirements. |
Manage work health and safety |
Studying on campus is a great way to enjoy the benefits of face-to-face education in a way that is far removed from a typical school. No matter which campus you choose, you know that you will be learning in an adult environment where you will be respected and nurtured. Attend a campus to learn face-to-face with a teacher in one of our learning spaces; such as a classroom, workshop, laboratory or simulated environments, or interact with teachers using real-time video or web conference tools. Learn more
Campus | START DATES
![]() When your course is scheduled to begin |
Duration | WORKLOAD
![]() How much time you will need to commit to successfully complete your course, combining face-to-face and self-directed study and any required placements. |
STUDY MODE
![]() Also known as delivery mode, this is how your training is delivered. Learn more |
COST
![]() The cost of your course may vary, depending on your eligibility for funding, subsidies or concessions. See the payment options section for more information. Learn more |
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Mount Isa | 12 July 2021 | up to 2 years | Full time Wednesday |
Mixed mode | Full fee: $11,765 |
Cairns | 12 July 2021 | up to 2 years | Full time Wednesday |
Mixed mode | Full fee: $11,765 |
Townsville (Pimlico) | 12 July 2021 | up to 2 years | Full time Wednesday |
Mixed mode | Full fee: $11,765 |
Campus | START DATES
![]() When your course is scheduled to begin |
Duration | WORKLOAD
![]() How much time you will need to commit to successfully complete your course, combining face-to-face and self-directed study and any required placements. |
STUDY MODE
![]() Also known as delivery mode, this is how your training is delivered. Learn more |
COST
![]() The cost of your course may vary, depending on your eligibility for funding, subsidies or concessions. See the payment options section for more information. Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mooloolaba | 12 July 2021 | 2 years | Full time | Mixed mode | Full fee: $11,645 |
Courses delivered on campus may have a combination of online and classroom based learning. Students are expected to undertake additional personal study to complete the course requirements.
Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of choosing when and where you study. Direct your own learning with all your study materials online, allowing you to manage your own workload and fit your studies around your lifestyle. Access your learning space 24 hours a day, seven days a week and be supported by high-quality educators who are devoted to your outcomes. Learn more
START DATES
![]() When your course is scheduled to begin |
Duration | WORKLOAD
![]() How much time you will need to commit to successfully complete your course, combining face-to-face and self-directed study and any required placements. |
COST
![]() The cost of your course may vary, depending on your eligibility for funding, subsidies or concessions. See the payment options section for more information. Learn more |
---|---|---|---|
12 July 2021 | up to 2 years | Full time Wednesday |
Full fee: $11,765 |
You will be able to access your learning materials from the first day of the study period. You must be enrolled to be able to access your learning materials. You will be expected to undertake additional self-directed study in order to complete the course requirements.
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathwaysNo matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what's right for you, get in touch. We're here to help.
This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.
This is an interest-free personal loan from the Australian Government that provides eligible students access to capped funding to help pay for their studies.
If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
Please note: TAFE Queensland wishes to warn you, as a Blue Card applicant, that it is an offence for a disqualified person to sign a Blue Card application. For further information regarding 'disqualified' persons, please contact Blue Card Services.
If you are not currently employed or volunteering in the community services industry, during your course you will be required to complete vocational placement so you can start practising your new skills in a real-world environment. You’ll be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider, and these can include early mornings or late nights, any day of the week, including public holidays. TAFE Queensland may be able to assist in arranging suitable placements.
Completing placement is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts. You are required to complete 160 hours of placement to satisfy this component of your qualification.
No specific resources are required to successfully complete this course.
It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.
Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.
Disclaimer
All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.
If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online.
You can apply to study this course through the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC). You will need to submit your application on the QTAC website. It will be assessed, and if you are successful you will receive an offer directly through QTAC. You will need to accept your offer from QTAC before enrolling with TAFE Queensland.
Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. Getting recognition for the skills you've gained from the workplace or previous learning means less study time for you, and getting the paper to prove you're qualified a whole lot sooner. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.
If you have read and understood the student rules, refund policy, understand your fees and payment options, have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and checked you meet the entry requirements and selection criteria for this course, you're ready to get started.
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathways