Make a difference to the lives of those struggling with addiction.
The role of an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) worker is diverse and offers many exciting and rewarding career opportunities.
This certificate is designed to prepare you for an entry-level role in the AOD sector, providing services and interventions to clients who may be experiencing harmful effects from substance use, addiction and/or dependency.
Students learn how to provide a range of services and interventions for clients with AOD and other complex care needs.
Students study the complex and interconnected nature of addiction, dependance and substance use, and the relationship this has with mental health conditions.
This qualification has been validated by the community services and health industry.
We work closely with industry partners to ensure this certificate is aligned with their needs.
Hear from specialist guest speakers who provide insight into current workplace practices.
An important aspect of this qualification is to understand the complex and interconnected nature of addiction and drug use.
Learning activities are designed to consider the many and varied aspects of AOD use.
To be awarded the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs you will need to complete 17 units of competency. Twelve of the subjects are core requirements of the national qualification. The other five have been selected as electives by the Community Services Team at RMIT in consultation with industry partners to best prepare you for the workforce.
You will learn through:
There is support for students to develop language, literacy and numeracy skills required to succeed in this certificate.
Assessments are designed to prepare you for the workforce and/or further study.
The curriculum will enable you to gain skills and knowledge that are directly applicable to workplace practices. Peer learning and networking will be fostered throughout the course through classroom discussion and the online learning system. There will also be project-based learning (both group and individual work).
Assessments will incorporate a range of methods to indicate student performance and ability to apply required knowledge and skills as set out by each unit of competency. Assessment methods include but are not limited to:
All subjects are delivered in English.
You will have access to online resources.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
RMIT works closely with its industry partners to ensure that this certificate is aligned with industry needs.
This certificate maintains strong links with the community services sector through course content design, development, delivery and assessment.
This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.
In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.
This certificate consists of 12 core and five elective subjects.
You will study:
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Once you graduate, you may be employed as case workers, community support workers, drug and alcohol workers, family support workers, needle and syringe program workers, and outreach workers.
Graduates are employed in a range of contexts. For example, community mental health and AOD organisations, residential rehabilitation services and outreach services.
You could work in organisations such as:
This nationally recognised vocational education qualification has been validated by the community services and health industry.
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
There are no minimum academic entry requirements for this course.
You must be at least 18 years of age by the commencement date.
You must submit a personal statement with your application outlining:
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can:
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.
Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your course so that you can participate fully in your studies.
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.
Unfortunately we are currently unable to offer formal pathways into this course. Contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.
Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the course/s below. Credit may apply which will reduce the total duration of the destination course. See destination course page/s for full details on entry and credit.
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February
On campus
Melbourne City
February, July On campus Melbourne CityCredit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
The tuition fees you will pay depends on your eligibility for government subsidies.
Not sure which fee type applies to you? Learn more and check your eligibility.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
You may be eligible for a fee concession if you hold a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Card, or Veteran's Gold Card, or are enrolled in the Asylum Seeker VET program. Find out more about fee concessions.
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
$19,000.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$373.00 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$19,373.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $ per nominal hour ($ total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
$5,750.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$373.00 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$6,123.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $11.55 per nominal hour ($13,086.15 total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$1,150.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Concession rate applied
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$113.30 |
| Material fees
|
N/A
|
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$1,263.30 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $14.75 per nominal hour ($16,711.75 total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
$0.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$373.00 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$373.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $14.84 per nominal hour ($16,813.72 total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$0.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Concession rate applied
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$113.30 |
| Material fees
|
N/A
|
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$113.30 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $14.84 per nominal hour ($16,813.72 total).
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
$0.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$0.00 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$0.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $11.55 per nominal hour ($13,086.15 total).
Generated on 25 June 2026 | RMIT University's Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Code is 3046 | Payment and refund information
VET Student Loan cap for Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (C4364): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSL|
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$ per nominal hour ($ total).
Choose the specific course plan to see relevant fee information:
VET Student Loan cap for (): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSLRMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
