Qualification Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:42 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Diploma of Community Services (Mental health)

Diploma of Community Services (Mental health)

Qualification
National Code:
CHC50312
State Code:
J172
TGA Status:
Replaced
DTWD Status:
Replaced
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Field of Education
0905 - Human Welfare Studies And Services
Original TGA Release Date
07/05/2012
Approved Date
08/08/2012
Stream of Study
Initial Vocational (3100 - 3600)
VET Act Classifier
C
Nominal Hours
740
Duration
2 Semesters
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
07/05/2012
VET Act Conditions
—
Releases
Release Version Release Date TGA Status DTWD Status
1.00 07/05/2012 Current Approved
Description

This qualification applies to workers providing services to clients in relation to mental health issues.

The qualification:
Includes counselling, referral, advocacy and education/health promotion services
Requires high level specialist knowledge, skills and competencies especially in regard to laws affecting clients, the range of services available to them and health issues related to mental health.

Occupational titles may include:
Community support worker
Community rehabilitation and support worker
Mental health community worker
Mental health rehabilitation support worker
Mental health outreach worker
Mental health support worker

Schedule
Packaging Rules
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To gain entry into this qualification a candidate must:
1. Be recently appointed or currently working in a community support mental health work role and have a relevant recognised higher education or vocational education qualification at Certificate IV or above
OR
2. Be recognised as competent, through a recognised training program or recognition process, against the following qualification (or equivalent):
- CHC40512 Certificate IV in Mental Health
OR
3. Have sufficient work experience in the relevant sector to indicate likely success at this level of qualification in a job role involving:
- The application of knowledge with depth in some areas and demonstration of a broad range of technical and other skills
- A wide range of tasks and roles in a variety of contexts, with complexity in the range and choices of actions required
- The exercise of discretionary judgement and decision making under general guidance

PACKAGING RULES
Sixteen (16) units are required for award of this qualification including:
- fourteen (14) core units
- two (2) elective units:

A wide range of elective units is available, including:
- Relevant electives listed in the qualification outline
- Units of competency to address workplace requirements and packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in Community Services and/or Health Training Packages
- Where appropriate, to address workplace requirements, units of competency packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in other relevant Training Packages
1. Core Units

All fourteen (14) units must be completed.

State Code National Code Title Hours Type
D2664 CHCPOL501A Access evidence and apply in practice 40 Unit of competency
WC941 CHCMH402B Apply understanding of mental health issues and recovery processes 45 Unit of competency
WC942 CHCMH404B Conduct assessment and planning as part of the recovery process 40 Unit of competency
D2611 CHCMH409A Facilitate consumer, family and carer participation in the recovery process 40 Unit of competency
WD313 HLTWHS401A Maintain workplace WHS processes 40 Unit of competency
D2612 CHCMH501A Provide advanced supports to facilitate recovery 40 Unit of competency
WC793 CHCAD504B Provide advocacy and representation services 45 Unit of competency
D2680 CHCPROM503A Provide community focused promotion and prevention strategies 45 Unit of competency
WC862 CHCCS504B Provide services to clients with complex needs 55 Unit of competency
D2630 CHCORG428A Reflect on and improve own professional practice 40 Unit of competency
D2313 CHCCOM403A Use targeted communication skills to build relationships 45 Unit of competency
D2605 CHCMH401A Work effectively in mental health settings 45 Unit of competency
WC800 CHCAOD510B Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and-or other drugs issues 60 Unit of competency
D2377 CHCCW503A Work intensively with clients 75 Unit of competency
2. Elective Units

Two (2) units may be completed from the elective units listed.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.

State Code National Code Title Hours Type
D2363 CHCCSL502A Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills 60 Unit of competency
D2539 CHCGMB502A Assess the needs of clients with problem gambling issues 50 Unit of competency
WC841 CHCCS305C Assist clients with medication 25 Unit of competency
D2296 CHCCM501A Coordinate complex case requirements 50 Unit of competency
D2386 CHCDFV505C Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence 60 Unit of competency
WC802 CHCAOD512B Develop and implement a behaviour response plan 40 Unit of competency
WC949 CHCNET503D Develop new networks 55 Unit of competency
WC871 CHCCSL503B Facilitate the counselling relationship 80 Unit of competency
WB990 CHCLLN403A Identify clients with language, literacy and numeracy needs and respond effectively 35 Unit of competency
WB983 CHCOHC401A Inform and encourage clients and groups to understand and achieve good oral health 40 Unit of competency
WC962 CHCORG611C Lead and develop others in a community sector workplace 85 Unit of competency
WC817 CHCCH410B Manage and maintain tenancy agreements and services 60 Unit of competency
C7982 PSPMNGT605B Manage diversity 60 Unit of competency
D2380 CHCDFV402C Manage own professional development in responding to domestic and family violence 30 Unit of competency
WC933 CHCINF505D Meet statutory and organisation information requirements 85 Unit of competency
D2352 CHCCS506A Promote and respond to workplace diversity 40 Unit of competency
WC801 CHCAOD511C Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and-or other drug issues 60 Unit of competency
D2540 CHCGMB503A Provide counselling for clients with problem gambling issues 65 Unit of competency
D2614 CHCMH503A Provide forensic mental health services 70 Unit of competency
D2652 CHCORG627B Provide mentoring support to colleagues 40 Unit of competency
D2233 CHCAOD513A Provide relapse prevention strategies 40 Unit of competency
WC857 CHCCS426B Provide support and care relating to loss and grief 40 Unit of competency
WC851 CHCCS417B Provide support and care relating to suicide bereavement 40 Unit of competency
D2613 CHCMH502A Provide supports for children at risk of mental health problems 50 Unit of competency
WB985 CHCOHC404A Recognise and respond to signs and symptoms that may indicate oral health issues 30 Unit of competency
D5761 HLTAP301B Recognise healthy body systems in a health care context 20 Unit of competency
D8595 CHCORG525D Recruit and coordinate volunteers 25 Unit of competency
WB984 CHCOHC402A Support clients and groups to learn practical aspects of oral health care 30 Unit of competency
WC872 CHCCSL507B Support clients in decision-making processes 50 Unit of competency
D2295 CHCCM404A Undertake case management for clients with complex needs 60 Unit of competency
WC853 CHCCS421B Undertake community sector work within own community 40 Unit of competency
WC822 CHCCH522B Undertake outreach work 60 Unit of competency
D2609 CHCMH405A Work collaboratively to support recovery process 30 Unit of competency
WC816 CHCCH301C Work effectively in social housing 35 Unit of competency
D8546 CHCAOD402B Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector 55 Unit of competency
D2538 CHCGMB501A Work effectively in the problem gambling sector 40 Unit of competency
D8283 HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 30 Unit of competency
WC831 CHCCM705C Work effectively with carers and families in complex situations 60 Unit of competency
D8281 HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers 30 Unit of competency
WC819 CHCCH427B Work effectively with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness 80 Unit of competency
WC820 CHCCH428B Work effectively within the Australian housing system 40 Unit of competency
WC809 CHCCD420B Work to empower Aboriginal and-or Torres Strait Islander communities 30 Unit of competency
D2362 CHCCSL501A Work within a structured counselling framework 50 Unit of competency
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D307 CHC50308 Diploma of Community Services (Mental health) Qualification
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWL3 CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health Qualification
No information
Entry Requirements

To gain entry into this qualification a candidate must:
1. Be recently appointed or currently working in a community support mental health work role and have a relevant recognised higher education or vocational education qualification at Certificate IV or above

OR

2. Be recognised as competent, through a recognised training program or recognition process, against the following qualification (or equivalent):
CHC40512 Certificate IV in Mental Health

OR

3. Have sufficient work experience in the relevant sector to indicate likely success at this level of qualification in a job role involving:
The application of knowledge with depth in some areas and demonstration of a broad range of technical and other skills
A wide range of tasks and roles in a variety of contexts, with complexity in the range and choices of actions required
The exercise of discretionary judgement and decision making under general guidance

Traineeships and Apprenticeships
No information