Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

This course will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience to support people with alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse problems.

You’ll learn to provide a range of services, and implement health promotion and community interventions.

When you graduate, you’ll be job ready and have specialised knowledge relevant and transferable in other fields such as mental health and youth work.

To be awarded CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs, a student must complete a total of seventeen (17) units of competency, consisting of:

• twelve (12) core units, and;
• five (5) elective units, consisting of:

• three (3) units must be selected from the CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs qualification, and;

• two (2) units may be selected from the electives listed in the CHC43215 Certificate IV Alcohol and Other Drugs qualification or any endorsed training package or accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome.

All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Course structure and units

Core units

• 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
• CHCAOD009 - Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
• CHCCCS004 - Assess co-existing needs
• CHCCCS014 - Provide brief interventions
• CHCCOM002 - Use communication to build relationships
• CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
• CHCLEG001 - Work legally and ethically
• CHCMHS001 - Work with people with mental health issues
• CHCPRP001 - Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
• HLTAID003 - Provide first aid

Elective units

• CHCAOD002 - Work with clients who are intoxicated
• CHCAOD005 - Provide alcohol and other drugs withdrawal services
• CHCMHS005 - Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues

Imported

• 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

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs. For employment and practical placement purposes, this vocational sector typically requires a current and satisfactory Police Record Check and Working with Children Check. Failure to provide the required documents in the timeframe specified by the Course Coordinator, means you will be unable to undertake practical placement in a workplace and therefore not eligible to progress in this course.The following are suggested sites you could visit to obtain these checks:- Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274 - Working with Children Check - http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

This qualification reflects the role of entry level workers who provide services and interventions to clients with alcohol and other drugs issues and/or implement health promotions and community interventions. Work is undertaken in contexts such as community based organisations, withdrawal services, residential rehabilitation services and outreach services under the guidance of other practitioners and professionals, with limited responsibility and within established parameters.