This course is delivered through a blended delivery model that includes:

• face-to-face classroom training
• practical simulations
• workplace training and assessment
• online learning activities and digital learning resources
• structured self-directed study

International students are required to attend scheduled classes in accordance with their timetable and student visa study requirements.

Online learning activities are used to support and reinforce face-to-face delivery. They do not replace scheduled face-to-face attendance requirements for international students.

Practical simulations and classroom activities give students opportunities to develop communication, support, referral, advocacy and recovery-oriented practice skills in a structured learning environment before applying these skills during work placement.

The course duration is 78 weeks, including scheduled training, assessment, work placement and holiday periods.

The confirmed duration will be listed in the student’s Letter of Offer and will depend on the approved enrolment arrangement.

Work placement is usually completed during the later stages of the course, depending on the course schedule, student readiness and availability of the approved host facility.

During this course, students develop the skills and knowledge required to support people experiencing mental health challenges and work effectively in mental health and community services environments.

Students will learn how to:

• establish self-directed recovery relationships
• provide recovery-oriented mental health services
• work collaboratively with care networks and other services
• support people with co-existing mental health, alcohol and other drug issues
• implement trauma-informed care
• assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
• support the development of wellness plans and advanced directives
• provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
• provide systems advocacy services
• promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
• work with diverse people
• research and apply evidence to practice
• reflect on and improve professional practice
• manage work health and safety
• assist clients with medication, where appropriate and within workplace requirements
• develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships

International students applying for this course must:

• be 18 years of age or older
• have completed Year 12 or an equivalent secondary school qualification
• demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to Academic IELTS 6.0 overall, or an equivalent recognised English language test score
• complete INT College’s Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills assessment, where required
• meet any additional enrolment or work placement requirements

International students may be required to complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills assessment as part of the enrolment or orientation process. This helps INT College identify any learning support needs and provide appropriate support during the course.

Prior experience in mental health, community services, aged care, disability support or health services is not required unless specified in the course entry requirements. INT College supports students with different levels of experience and learning needs throughout the course.

Additional work placement requirements may apply depending on the policies of the approved host organisation or facility.

Graduates of the CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health may seek employment opportunities in mental health, community services, disability support, alcohol and other drugs services, outreach services and related support settings.

Possible job outcomes may include:

• Mental Health Worker
• Mental Health Support Worker
• Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker
• Mental Health Outreach Worker
• Community Support Worker
• Case Support Worker
• Welfare Support Worker
• Psychosocial Support Worker
• Alcohol and Other Drugs Support Worker
• Recovery Support Worker

Employment outcomes depend on individual circumstances, employer requirements, workplace availability, visa conditions, and any additional checks or clearances required by the employer or host organisation.

Completion of this qualification does not guarantee employment, professional registration, migration outcomes or visa outcomes.

After completing the CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health, students may choose to continue their studies in a higher-level community services, mental health, counselling, social work or health-related qualification.

Entry into further study is subject to the admission requirements of the receiving training provider and qualification.

To be awarded the CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health, students must successfully complete 20 units of competency, consisting of 15 core units and 5 elective units.

Core Units

Elective Units

Assessment is completed through a range of tasks designed to reflect realistic workplace situations.

Assessment methods may include:

• knowledge questions
• case studies
• role plays
• practical demonstrations
• workplace observation
• work placement logbooks

Practical assessments may be conducted in simulated training environments and workplace settings, where students are required to demonstrate skills that reflect real mental health, community services and health-related workplace situations.

Students must achieve a satisfactory result in all required assessment tasks, demonstrate competency in all 20 units, and successfully complete all required work placement hours and workplace assessment requirements before the qualification can be issued.

What is work placement?

Work placement, sometimes referred to as clinical placement, is a required part of this course. It gives students the opportunity to learn in a real workplace environment, apply the knowledge and skills developed during training, and demonstrate practical competencies required for the qualification.

Students must complete 160 hours of mandatory work placement in an approved workplace or facility before the qualification can be issued.

When does work placement take place?

Work placement usually occurs towards the later stages of the course and is completed over a period determined by the course requirements, the student’s timetable and the availability of the approved host facility.

Shift times and placement schedules are arranged in consultation with the host facility.

What will I do during work placement?

During work placement, students may complete practical tasks under supervision and demonstrate skills related to mental health support, recovery-oriented practice, communication, referral, advocacy, workplace safety, trauma-informed care, and working appropriately with clients, colleagues and workplace supervisors.

Students are supervised by workplace staff and monitored by INT College trainers and assessors. Students will have contact with their trainer/assessor during placement, including site visits where required.

Workplace supervisors support students during their shifts, while final assessment decisions are made by INT College trainers and assessors.

What are the benefits of work placement?

Work placement allows students to:

• apply classroom learning in a real workplace environment
• develop practical, on-the-job skills
• build confidence working with clients, colleagues and workplace supervisors
• understand workplace expectations, routines and professional standards
• consolidate their learning through supervised workplace practice
• complete required workplace assessment tasks and logbook activities

Where can work placement take place?

Placement may take place in an approved workplace, facility or organisation relevant to mental health or community services, depending on course requirements and placement availability.

Host facilities provide students with access to workplace equipment, resources and real work environments. INT College works with approved placement providers to support suitable placement opportunities for students.

Are there physical requirements for work placement?

Work placement may involve practical workplace tasks depending on the host organisation and service environment. This may include standing for extended periods, moving around workplace environments, using workplace equipment, communicating with clients and staff, and completing supervised practical tasks.

Students should advise INT College as early as possible if they have any health condition, disability or physical limitation that may affect their ability to participate in practical training or work placement. This allows INT College to consider reasonable adjustments where appropriate.

What do I need before starting work placement?

Before commencing work placement, students may be required to provide:

• National Police Check
• relevant vaccinations or immunisation records, where required
• COVID-19 vaccination, if required by the host facility
• Current First Aid Certificate, where required – HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid). You are welcome to complete this course with INT College, where it is available at a discounted rate for students enrolled in one of our qualifications. However, you may also choose to complete it through any accredited provider.
• any additional documents, checks or evidence required by the host facility

Host facility requirements may vary. If a student’s documents do not meet the host facility’s requirements, the student may be asked to provide further evidence or complete additional requirements before commencing placement.

Work placement requirements will be discussed with students before placement. Students will be advised of the specific documents, checks or evidence required by the host facility.

What support will I receive during work placement?

INT College organises work placement for students where placement is a requirement of the course. Students will have regular contact with their trainer/assessor during placement, including site visits where required.

Students are partnered with workplace staff and supervised by a designated workplace supervisor while on shift. The trainer/assessor and workplace supervisor help guide the student through the placement period.

Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from placement and must attend all scheduled shifts in accordance with the placement timetable and host facility requirements.

Do I need to complete work placement to receive the qualification?

Yes. All work placement hours, logbook requirements and workplace assessments must be successfully completed before the qualification can be issued.

INT College recognises prior learning and previous study through Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer processes.

Students who have existing skills, knowledge, work experience or previously completed equivalent units may apply for assessment through RPL or Credit Transfer.

Students are not required to repeat any unit in which they have already been assessed as competent, unless a regulatory requirement requires this. If a student provides suitable evidence that they have successfully completed an equivalent unit at another Registered Training Organisation, they may be granted Credit Transfer for that unit.

Where a previously completed unit is not identical, INT College may undertake an equivalency review to determine whether the previous study aligns with the relevant unit offered by INT College before Credit Transfer is granted.

Credit Transfer is different from Recognition of Prior Learning. Credit Transfer recognises equivalent formal study that has already been successfully completed. RPL is an assessment-only pathway used to determine whether a student already has the skills and knowledge required for a unit of competency.

Applications are assessed in accordance with INT College policies and evidence requirements. Students can refer to the International Student Handbook or contact INT College administration staff for more information about the RPL and Credit Transfer process.

INT College provides access to student support services to assist international students during their studies.

Support may include:

• academic support
• language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills support
• student wellbeing support
• referral to external support services, where required
• assistance with understanding course progress and attendance requirements
• support with work placement preparation, where applicable
• support to develop higher-level study skills required at Diploma level
• support with workplace communication, reflective practice and assessment preparation

Students who require additional support are encouraged to speak with INT College as early as possible so that appropriate assistance can be arranged.

Contact INT College for current course fee information. Course fees may vary depending on whether you are applying for a single course or a packaged course offer that includes multiple courses.

Students are required to pay course fees in accordance with the payment schedule outlined in their Letter of Offer.

Depending on the approved payment arrangement, students may be invoiced monthly or by term/study period. All scheduled tuition fee instalments must be paid by the due date listed in the student’s payment schedule.

INT College accepts the following payment methods:

• bank transfer
• credit or debit card
• cash payment at the INT College campus
• international money transfer

A card surcharge may apply to payments made by card. International money transfers may also involve bank or transaction fees, which are the responsibility of the student.

Students may choose to pay their course fees upfront or request an approved payment plan. Any payment plan must be approved by INT College and followed according to the agreed payment schedule.

Before enrolling, students should read the current fee information, refund policy, enrolment terms and the International Student Handbook.

Students with overdue fees may not be able to continue to the next study period, training stage or work placement until payment has been made or an approved payment arrangement is in place. Qualifications, Statements of Attainment, completion letters and academic documents will not be issued until all outstanding fees have been paid or an approved payment arrangement is in place.

For current fee details, contact INT College:

Phone: 1800 046 846
Email: info@int.edu.au

Before enrolling in this course, international students should carefully read all course information, including:

• entry requirements
• English language requirements
• course duration
• study load and attendance requirements
• work placement requirements
• fees and charges
• refund conditions
• student support services
• course progress requirements
• visa-related study obligations
• International Student Handbook

Students are encouraged to contact INT College before applying if they have questions about course suitability, work placement requirements, support needs or study expectations.

INT Nurse Training Pty Ltd trading as INT College
RTO Code: 45232
CRICOS Provider Code: 03638D
ABN: 44 614 478 572

St Marys Campus
5/40 Phillip Street
St Marys NSW 2760

Dubbo Campus
3/30 Blueridge Drive
Dubbo NSW 2830

Phone: 1800 046 846
Email: info@int.edu.au