This course is delivered through a blended delivery model for domestic students.

Students complete theory components through online learning activities, digital learning resources and self-paced study.

Students are also required to attend face-to-face classes at least once per week to complete practical learning activities. These classes may include:

• role-plays
• simulations
• practical demonstrations
• trainer-led skills practice
• assessment preparation
• supervised practical learning activities

Face-to-face classes are an important part of the course because students must develop and demonstrate practical skills that reflect real mental health, community services, psychosocial support and related support environments.

Domestic students have up to 78 weeks to complete this course.

Students who have previously completed relevant study or have existing skills and experience may be eligible to apply for Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning. This may reduce the amount of training or assessment required, depending on the evidence provided and INT College’s assessment process.

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 and 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
• provide support to people experiencing loss and grief
• support community participation and social inclusion

Domestic students applying for this course should:

• be 18 years of age or older
• have completed Year 12 or an equivalent secondary school qualification, or be able to demonstrate suitable language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills for the course
• complete INT College’s Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills assessment before enrolment
• meet any additional enrolment or work placement requirements

In accordance with regulatory requirements, domestic students may be required to complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills assessment prior to enrolment. 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, and any additional checks or clearances required by the employer or host organisation.

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

Possible further study pathways may include:

• higher-level community services qualifications
• mental health qualifications
• counselling or human services studies
• social work-related studies, subject to admission requirements
• health or care-related qualifications
• leadership and management qualifications, depending on the student’s career goals

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
• simulated workplace tasks
• 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 required units, and successfully complete all required work placement, logbook and workplace assessment requirements before the qualification can be issued.

What is work placement?

Work 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 mental health, community services, psychosocial support, alcohol and other drugs, welfare, community care or other suitable support environment.

Work placement supports students to apply classroom and online learning, complete practical workplace-based activities, and demonstrate required skills in a real workplace environment.

When does work placement take place?

Work placement usually occurs after students have completed relevant learning and assessment requirements and are ready to demonstrate practical skills in the workplace.

The timing of work placement will depend on the student’s progress, course requirements, trainer approval, and availability of the approved host facility.

Placement schedules and shift times 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 or 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 course learning in a real mental health, community services or support work environment
• develop practical, on-the-job skills
• build confidence working with clients, colleagues and workplace supervisors
• understand workplace expectations, routines and professional standards
• consolidate 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 mental health, community services, psychosocial support, outreach, alcohol and other drugs, welfare, community care or other suitable support service environment, depending on course requirements and placement availability.

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

Placement availability, location, roster and shift times are subject to host facility requirements. INT College does not guarantee a specific placement location, facility, shift time or placement outcome.

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, communicating with clients and staff, using workplace equipment, completing documentation, 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
• Working with Children Check, where required
• NDIS Worker Screening Check, where required
• relevant vaccinations or immunisation records, where required
• COVID-19 vaccination evidence, if required by the host facility
• Current First Aid Certificate, where required – HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid)
• any additional documents, checks or evidence required by the host facility

Students are welcome to complete HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid) with INT College, where it is available at a discounted rate for students enrolled in one of our qualifications. Students may also choose to complete First Aid through any accredited provider.

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 as part of this course. Students will have regular contact with their trainer or 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 or 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 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 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 assessment requirements
• support with work placement preparation
• support with online and self-paced study
• support with practical skills development during face-to-face classes
• support to develop higher-level study skills required at Diploma level
• support with mental health support practice, 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.

If you are interested in studying with us, please contact INT College to discuss your study options and the course that best suits your goals. Course fees may vary depending on your individual circumstances, including your visa status, whether you are a permanent resident or citizen, and whether you are eligible for any Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning.

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.

INT College accepts the following payment methods:

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

A card surcharge may apply to payments made by card.

Before enrolling, students should read the current fee information, refund policy, enrolment terms and the relevant student handbook or student information provided by INT College.

For current fee details, contact INT College:

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

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

• entry requirements
• course duration
• study mode and attendance expectations
• online and self-paced study requirements
• face-to-face practical class requirements
• assessment requirements
• work placement requirements
• fees and charges
• refund conditions
• student support services
• Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer information
• relevant student handbook or student information provided by INT College

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

INT Nurse Training Pty Ltd trading as INT College
RTO Code: 45232
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