CHC43315
Certificate IV in Mental Health
CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health will have you implementing community-based programs and activities focusing on mental health, mental illness and psychiatric disability. Delivered at Bestwest Care's Kwinana training centre in Perth, WA.
CHC43315 Overview
Mental health is one of the most in-demand areas across Australia’s community and health services sector. The CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health gives you the skills to provide meaningful, recovery-oriented support to people living with mental health conditions, co-existing drug and alcohol dependencies, and psychiatric disability.
This course is ideally suited to those who already have some experience in community or health services and are ready to specialise. It is also a strong next step for aged care or disability support workers looking to broaden their scope of practice.
The course includes 11 core units and 4 elective units, with 80 hours of workplace experience included – we find your placement.
Fee-Free training is available in 2026 for eligible students. Download the Fee-Free Brochure or see the Enrolment tab for eligibility details.
What you’ll be qualified for
On completion, you’ll be ready to work across mental health, community, and health services settings. See Career Outcomes below.
Training Location
Bestwest Care is a leading provider of mental health support training in WA, offering nationally recognised qualifications designed for real-world care environments. Classroom sessions are held at Unit 8 / 40 Meares Ave, Kwinana, Western Australia. Close to bus and train public transport.
Course Delivery
You can enrol into CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health at anytime of the year. We have options based on your circumstance:
1. WA Government Funded – Job Seekers
Individuals who are unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week.
- 3 days of classes per week (9am to 2pm) plus online theory for 26 weeks.
- Workplace experience (80 hours).
- Download the Government-funded course brochure here
1. WA Government Funded – Existing Workers
Individuals who are currently employed in a relevant industry for 20 or more hours per week.
- 2 days of classes per week (9am to 2pm) for 26 weeks.
- Workplace experience (80 hours).
- Download the Government-funded course brochure here
2. Fee for Service
The course duration can take between 6 to 18 months, depending on the individual commitment and experience in the field.
- Classroom sessions
- Simulation in class scenarios
- Home study
- Workplace experience (80 hours), for which we find your placement.
You may apply for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL), if you have achieved any level of skills and knowledge equivalent to the learning outcomes (resume, letter from employer etc). Credit Transfers are available if you have successfully completed any of the current unit/s.
Eligibility criteria applies for the FEE FREE option. Submit a course enquiry now to see if you qualify.
Core Units include:
- CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people
- CHCDIV002 – Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
- CHCLEG001 – Work legally and ethically
- CHCMHS002 – Establish self-directed recovery relationships
- CHCMHS003 – Provide recovery orientated 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 drug issues
- CHCMHS007 – Work effectively in trauma informed care
- CHCMHS008 – Promote and facilitate self-advocacy
- CHCMHS011 – Assess and promote social, emotional and physical well being
- HLTWHS001 – Participate in workplace health and safety
Enrolment requirements
To enrol in this course you must:
- Phone and book your enrolment appointment with a member of our training staff on (08) 9439 1673.
- Provide Photo ID (Driver’s Licence or Passport)
- Provide Proof of Residency / Citizenship (Birth Certificate / Passport).
- Be reasonably fit and physically capable of performing the role.
- Meet the foundation skills (literacy and numeracy levels) necessary for the role.
- Be able to attend and complete the training room and practical components of the course.
- Be eligible to participate in training in Australia.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Already working in the sector and just need the paperwork? Whether you call it a Certificate IV in Mental Health, Cert IV Mental Health, Cert 4 Mental Health, Certificate 4 in Mental Health, or simply a mental health certificate, if you already have experience in mental health, community services, disability, or peer support work, paid or voluntary, you may not need to start CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health from scratch. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) lets you demonstrate existing skills and knowledge against the course units, which can reduce the number of units you need to complete.
Contact our enrolment team to find out if RPL could apply to your Certificate IV in Mental Health application. Whether you’ve been searching for Cert IV Mental Health, Cert 4 Mental Health, or Certificate 4 in Mental Health while comparing your options, the RPL process is the same either way.
Placement Requirements
To get placement for this course you must:
- Provide a National Criminal History Check (National Police Clearance) no more than 3 months old.
- Wear suitable pants and enclosed, non-slip footwear.
Fee-Free Training 2026 Eligibility
The WA State Government, through Jobs and Skills WA, subsidises vocational education and training (VET) courses in priority areas, to reduce or remove the fees and make training more accessible to all Western Australians.
Applicants are required to submit valid forms of photo ID and proof of citizenship / residency status at enrolment. To be eligible for FREE training in the Mental Health stream, you must have left school, have your primary place of residence in Western Australia, and you are either:
- an Australian citizen; or
- a permanent visa holder or holder of visa subclass 309, 444, 449, 785, 786, 790, or 820; or
- a dependent or spouse of the primary holder of a visa subclass 457 or 482; or
- a bridging visa holder who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 866; or
- a bridging visa E holder (subclasses 050 and 051) who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 785 or 790.
If you are currently working, please chat to our team to see which WA Government funded program is suitable (dependent upon your weekly contracted hours).
The total Certificate IV in Mental Health course fee for applicants not meeting the above eligibility criteria is $3,600.
Elective Units:
- CHCCCS003 – Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
- CHCADV001 – Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
- CHCPRP003 – Reflect on and improve own professional practice
- CHCCOM002 – Use communications to build relationships
Course Fees
Option 1. FEE FREE Government Funded – $0
‘FEE-FREE’ Government funding is available for eligible students, including Australian citizens and certain visa holders. For more information on this, see the Enrolment tab
Option 2. Payment Plan of $3,600.
- Enrolment deposit of $1,000
- Plus 6 monthly repayments paid over 6 months
.
Career Outcomes
With a CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health, you'll be qualified to work in community and clinical settings, supporting people living with mental health conditions, co-existing drug and alcohol dependencies, and psychiatric disability.
Mental Health Roles
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker
- Mental Health Outreach Worker
- Drug and Alcohol Support Worker
- Disability Support Worker
- Community Support Worker
- Peer Support Worker
Work Environments
- Community mental health services
- Residential mental health facilities
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres
- Hospitals and health services
- NDIS service providers
- Youth and community organisations
- Crisis support services
Who This Course Is For
- This qualification suits those with community or health services experience, including aged care and disability workers. One pathway worth highlighting is peer support work: using your lived experience of mental illness or recovery to support others in a similar situation. It's a growing specialisation in WA's mental health workforce - one in five West Australians experience a mental health issue in any given year (Jobs and Skills WA) - and Certificate IV in Mental Health is the qualification most peer support worker roles ask for.
Course FAQs
What is the duration of the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health course at Bestwest Care?
The CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health course at Bestwest Care can be completed between 6 and 18 months, depending on learner progress. This is a self-paced course.
What are the entry requirements for the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health course?
To enrol in the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health course, you must be at least 18 years old, have completed Year 10 or equivalent, and possess a satisfactory level of language, literacy, and numeracy skills. Additionally, you’ll need to provide a National Police Clearance and meet the necessary health and immunization requirements. There are additional eligibility requirements for the Fee Free course, which you’ll find in the Enrolment tab.
How is the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health course delivered?
The CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health course is delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face classroom sessions, as well as practical work placement. Classes are held one day per week, with flexible options available to accommodate different schedules.
What career opportunities does the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health qualification offer?
The CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health qualification opens up various career paths in the mental health sector. Graduates can pursue roles such as Mental Health Support Worker, Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker, Mental Health Outreach Worker, and Case Manager in community-based, residential, and healthcare settings.
Is there a work placement component in the Certificate IV in Mental Health course?
Yes, the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health course includes a mandatory work placement component. Students are required to complete 80 hours of work placement in a mental health service setting. This hands-on experience is crucial for applying theoretical knowledge in real-world situations and developing essential skills for the field.
Is the Certificate IV in Mental Health fee-free in WA?
Eligible Western Australian residents, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and some visa holders, can access CHC43315 fee-free through the WA Government’s funding scheme, subject to eligibility and place availability. Contact our enrolment team to confirm your eligibility, or see our fee-free courses page for our other funded qualifications
Do I need Certificate III first?
No, Certificate IV in Mental Health has its own entry requirements and doesn’t require you to complete Certificate III beforehand. That said, many students use Certificate III in Individual Support as a starting point before specialising in mental health – talk to our enrolment team about which pathway suits your experience.
What jobs can I get with a Cert IV in Mental Health?
Graduates work as Mental Health Support Workers, Peer Support Workers (using lived experience to support others), Community Rehabilitation and Support Workers, or Mental Health Outreach Workers, across community, residential and outreach mental health services. This mental health certificate is one of several mental health courses we offer, see Career Outcomes above for the fuller list.
Is it available online or in Perth?
CHC43315 is delivered from Bestwest Care’s Kwinana training centre in Perth, WA.
How long does it take if I want to study full-time or fast-track it?
The course is self-paced and can be completed between 6 and 18 months depending on your pace and prior experience.
Do you help arrange the 80-hour placement?
Yes, Bestwest Care follows the same placement-support approach as our other accredited courses, helping arrange your placement rather than leaving you to find one yourself.
Can I use RPL from experience?
Yes, if you have relevant paid or volunteer experience in mental health, community services or a related field, you may be eligible for RPL against some CHC43315 units. See the Recognition of Prior Learning section above, or speak with our enrolment team about your specific experience.