Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs CHC40408

To meet the requirement of the Minimum Qualification Strategy this course is designed to provide candidates with the skills, knowledge and understanding to work autonomously at a day to day level in AOD withdrawal, youth, counselling, accommodation, outreach or residential services.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The RPL process is available see our RPL page for more information.

Course Description
Candidates will gain understanding, skills and knowledge of assessments and interventions used while working with clients who have substance use issues.

Credit Transfer:
Direct credit transfers are available, see our student handbook for more information.

Topics include:

  • Historical perspectives and the AOD Sector
  • Drug Identification and Pharmacology
  • Assessment, Screening and Treatment Planning
  • Harm reduction and Relapse prevention
  • Working with Intoxicated clients
  • Facilitating co-operative behaviour
  • Statutory requirements for AOD workers and agencies across states
  • Workplace policy and OH&S
  • Diverse Clients - Gender, Sexuality and CALD
  • Orientation to MH


    • Expected study hours per week: 6-8


    Course Duration: 13 Months


    Questions about online study?
    Take a look at our frequently asked questions page.


    Application Dates:

    Accepting applications now!

    Government Funded positions
    You may be eligible for a Government Funded enrolment if you meet the following criteria:
    You are an Australian citizen; ( OR A holder of a permanent visa; OR A holder of a Special Category Visa (sub-class 444); OR An East Timorese asylum seeker; OR A holder of a Temporary Protection Visa ) and you reside in Victoria.

    And

    You are under 20 years of age.

    OR

    The qualification you are applying for is higher than other Australian qualifications you hold.

    *This training is provided with Victorian Government funding, $275.00 represents the required student contribution. Enrolments are subject to available funding.



    Cost: $2925.00

    Government Funded Price: $275.00*


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    Course Structure:

    Please note:
    A total of 16 units must be completed in this qualification.
    *(Click the unit code to expand)

    Compulsory Units:

      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required by all workers who may be working primarily with clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues and provides a basic introduction to values, services and approaches applied to work in this sector.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to assess client needs in the context of identifying options for delivery of community services to support their needs.

      This unit includes applying standard processes and procedures to providing a comprehensive assessment of clients' alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and other needs, developing case plans based on the assessment, and referring clients to other services as required.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to provide case management to clients who have already been assessed and whose needs have been identified as extending across a number of areas, such as aged care, community care, disability, mental health, drugs, alcohol or homelessness.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to apply specific workplace communication techniques to build and maintain relationships with clients and colleagues based on respect and trust.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to provide a range of intervention strategies to address alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues within the scope of an individual's treatment plan.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to work within a legal and ethical framework that supports duty of care requirements.
      This unit is specifically designed to cater for safety aspects of work involving delivery of services in aged care, home and community care and disability services.

      The unit focuses on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to identify, implement and monitor brief intervention strategies for use in a variety of community health contexts.

    - HLTFA301C or HLTFA402C - Apply first aid or Apply advanced first aid.
    (Note: pre-requisite HLTFA301C)
    First Aid to be obtained from external provider.


    Elective Units:

    Pick seven of the following:

    Block 1:

      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to provide support and assistance to people going through the process of withdrawing from alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, including combinations of these.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to work as a specialist alcohol and other drugs (AOD) worker who may be required to provide clean needle programs.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to work with alcohol and/or other drug affected clients in a range of settings including night patrols, detoxification/ withdrawal units and sobering up shelters.

    Block 2:

      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required in the context and across the range of settings where mental health work occurs.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required by workers who provide immediate and ongoing support and interventions for consumers with co- existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues drawing on a range of models and techniques supported by evidence.
      This unit describes the skills and knowledge required by community workers to provide services to people with complex needs.

    Block 3:

      This unit deals with the cultural awareness required for effective communication and cooperation with persons of diverse cultures.
      This unit describes the knowledge and skills required by the worker to support clients to voice their opinions or needs and to ensure their rights are upheld.


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    Apply for a funded place now.
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