Program Overview

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Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs / Diploma of Mental Health

Course Overview

Take your career in community services to the next level with this advanced dual 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 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.

Career Opportunities

• Mental Health Worker
• Alcohol and Other Drugs Worker
• Community Services Worker
• Mental Health and Disability Support Worker
• Lifestyle Support Worker
• NDIS Mental Health Support Worker
• Homelessness Support Worker
• Youth Mental Health Worker
• Case Worker
• Mental Health AOD Case Worker

Course Outcome

• CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
• CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health

Supportive Teaching Staff

Our passionate Teaching Team has many years of industry knowledge and experience and are committed to supporting you throughout your studies and achieve your vocational goals. We work collaboratively with industry professionals including community mental health services and non-government organisations to ensure we keep up to date with industry currency and emerging trends.

Strong Industry Partnerships

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. Regular guest speakers will be invited to enhance your learning experience and give you an opportunity to meet and engage with industry professionals and community organisations.

What You Will Study

The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete units as per the list below.

CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs

• To achieve this qualification you will need to complete 22 units:
  • Core Competencies: 16
  • Elective Competencies: 6

CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health

• To achieve this qualification you will need to complete 20 units:
  • Core Competencies: 15
  • Elective Competencies: 5

You will also be required to undertake up to 160 hours of vocational placement in an approved setting.

Core Units

CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs

• CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services
• CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
• CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD007 Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
• CHCAOD008 Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
• CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
• CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
• CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
• CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
• CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice
• CHCPRP002 Collaborate in professional practice
• CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health

• 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

Elective Units

CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs

• 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
• 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

CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health

• CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
• CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD007 Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
• CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD008 Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
• CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans

Ways to Study

• Online

Study Location

• Online virtual classroom

Study Mode

• Online virtual classroom

Start Date

• 14 Jul 2025

Duration

• up to 2 years

Workload

• Full time Wednesday 11:30am - 1pm and Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

What You'll Pay

• Full fee: $14,770

Payment Options

• Payment plan
• Upfront payment
• VET Student Loan - 2 x $18,838 cap

Entry Requirements

• There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Selection Criteria

• A sound achievement in Year 12 is desirable
• Mature age applicants are welcome
• It is recommended that you have support from a Mentor in the sector
• Applicants should be 18 years of age prior to applying for this course due to the nature of some of the units of study and Placement.

Resources Required

• 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 and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Placement

• If you are not currently employed or volunteering in 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 will 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.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

• This course requires you to obtain a NDIS Worker Screening Check to be eligible to attend the vocational placement assessment component of your studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfers

• Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know.
• We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.

Related Courses

• Certificate IV in Mental Health
• Diploma of Counselling
• Diploma of Youth Work

University Pathways

• 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.