CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (Consumer Peer Work)

Designed and delivered by peer workers, for peer workers.

The Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (Consumer Peer Work) is designed for people with personal lived experience of mental-ill health and mental health service use, to obtain a nationally recognised qualification in mental health peer work.

"I came to the course as a practising peer worker and wanting formal qualifications and a refresher course. I ended up getting so much more!"

TERO, PEER WORKER AND ORYGEN RTO GRADUATE

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Students will learn and gain skills in:

providing consumer mental health peer work,
applying evidence-based mental health frameworks, standards and practices,
working with people from diverse backgrounds, including First Nations people, and
work health and safety in the mental health sector.

The course includes interactive virtual workshops, online self-paced learning and an 80-hour placement. Supervised placement is a key part of the course as it provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills in the real world.

Graduates will receive a nationally-accredited qualification in mental health consumer peer work.

COURSE BROCHURE

The course brochure includes information on entry requirements and units of competency.

HANDBOOK

The student handbook provides more information about enrolment, the student code of conduct and student policies.

If you have any questions contact Student Services on 0460 432 745 or email [email protected].

WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY

Natasha "The course and the RTO were fantastic and provided me with lots of new knowledge and skills to improve my daily work with consumers.

Additionally, training has given me ‘a peer lens’ through which I can critically evaluate mental health organizations and ‘the system’.

Most excitingly, as a result of the student placement, I have been offered opportunities in the lived experience leadership space. "

" Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work provided me with a strong foundation to launch my career in Natasha the peer workforce.

This course empowered me to confidently use my voice and knowledge to drive continuous improvement in service delivery and highlight the importance of the Peer perspective within organisations.

Studying online made learning accessible as a rural student, allowing me to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and gain valuable insights from those working in metropolitan and regional areas. "

THE NEXT INTAKE: SEPTEMBER 2026

Orygen is now taking expressions of interest!

Submit your details using the link below to express your interest in the September 2026 intake. All individuals who submit their contact information will be notified as soon as further details are published.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

For organisations or services seeking to enrol staff

Orygen offers tailored enrolment pathways, group pricing, and flexible delivery solutions for organisations seeking to enrol staff.

Contact our team to learn about our special packages and explore the delivery solutions available.

To find out more or to get in touch with our team, please fill out this form.

meet ouR peer work trainers

Meet the peer work trainers who will be leading the 2025 course.

ASH
Ash (they/them) is a peer work trainer with experience as a peer worker and peer supervisor across mental health, youth, LGBTQIA+, migrant and refugee and disability experiences. They are particularly interested in ensuring peer work is valued as its own important mode of support, and that the power of lived experience is appreciated as its own form of expertise. In teaching this course, Ash embeds real peer work experience into the learning and grounds it in the consumer perspective and peer work values that underpin this work.

BETTY

Betty (she/her) is a peer work trainer with a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work and experience as a consumer peer worker. Her experience is in community-based mental health settings, working with a multidisciplinary team applying peer work practices and person-centred supports.

She is passionate about strengthening the consumer peer workforce and contributing to the broader consumer movement in mental health. As a peer work trainer, she hopes to upskill the peer workforce, as another milestone in the journey of the consumer movement, for the reform of mental health services in Australia.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT PAYMENTS

MENTAL HEALTH PEER WORK SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Orygen was able to offer scholarships to people with lived experience of mental-ill health undertaking Orygen's Certificate IV in Youth Mental Health Peer Work (Consumer Peer Work) for previous intakes.

Individuals interested in accessing scholarships are encouraged to submit an expression of interest for the course. Details on any available scholarships will be published alongside any course details at a later date.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

For organisations or services seeking to enrol peer-work staff, please contact Student Services on [email protected] to arrange enrolments.

student payments by services australia

This course meets the requirements of an approved course of education and study from an approved education provider for the purpose of qualifying for student payments.

Information about student payments can be found on the Australian Government Services website under Education.

Orygen as an RTO

Orygen is a licensed Registered Training Organisation (RTO). An RTO accreditation means Orygen is a recognised and approved provider and assessor of vocational training by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). ASQA is the Australian regulator of the vocational education and training sector.

RTO accreditation allows Orygen to use our world-leading research, clinical and non-clinical expertise and resources to create and deliver high quality education in the field of mental health.

Our team of dedicated trainers and assessors are equipped to provide students with quality education, guidance and support to help them achieve rewarding and fulfilling careers in mental health.

RTO provider 45923.

Education