Develop the skills and knowledge for a rewarding career in the mental health sector where you can make a difference to other people’s lives every day.
Lived experience workers also include informal carers such as family members, friends or others who care for those experiencing mental health conditions outside of an employment or volunteer setting. They draw on their own life-changing experiences and journey, their use and knowledge of available services to support others.
Designed to ensure a balance between theory and practical learning, this qualification provides an opportunity for students to build on their lived experience as well as their work experience to gain a nationally recognised qualification in mental health peer work.
Undertake 80 hours of work placement activities, preparing for practical work in industry settings.
We work closely with industry partners to ensure this certificate is aligned with their needs.
Learn in an environment that honours your lived experience of mental illness as a consumer, carer or worker.
In addition to your coursework, you will undertake 80 hours of work placement activities, ensuring you are prepared for practical work in industry upon completion of your studies.
The Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work is a self-sourced placement program. Self-sourcing placements not only allow students to use the application process as a learning and development opportunity, but has also been strongly endorsed by our industry partners who prefer to review student applications on their merit and suitability, thus reflecting current industry expectations.
Students will be supported to source placements and provided links to known placement opportunities as they arise.
As a graduate of this certificate, you will be equipped to work with a level of autonomy while receiving general guidance from experienced practitioners and professionals. This hands-on experience will contribute significantly to your readiness for a successful career in the field.
The majority of your learning in this certificate will take place in the classroom, in addition to some supervised self-directed learning. Your classes will ensure that your learning is contextualised to industry applications wherever possible, and that demonstrations and practical sessions will be incorporated wherever possible.
Your classes will be interactive and will give you ample opportunity to discuss ideas and put your learning into practice. In addition to this, you'll also have access to online resources and support, hear from guest speakers for insight into current industry practices, join your peers and develop your network through online learning.
You will also complete 80 hours of industry placement activities, allowing you to practice what you've studied in a real-world context.
Assessment in this certificate has been designed to simulate industry practice, and requires you to demonstrate the practical application of the skills learned through your study. Assessment types may vary according to the subject, and will generally include research projects, presentations and observations, practical demonstrations, case studies, and written reflections.
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.
We work closely with industry partners to ensure this certificate is aligned with industry needs. This certificate maintains strong links with the community services sector through course design, development, delivery and assessment.
As part of your studies, you will undertake 80 hours of industry placement over the course of the year, complementing what you are learning in class.
You will have the opportunity to complete placements through a variety of community mental health services.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with hands-on vocational practice.
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.
As a student in this certificate, you will undertake eight core subjects and seven electives designed to provide you with a strong theoretical knowledge and the practical confidence to work in the mental health sector.
Throughout your study, you will learn to apply peer work practices in the mental health sector, assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing, continuous improvement of mental health services and much more.
As part of this certificate you will undertake 80 hours of work placement activities to equip you with the practical skills to apply lived experience in mental health peer work, provide recovery-orientated mental health services, and how to work collaboratively with the care network and other services.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.
The peer workforce is Australia’s fastest growing workforce in the mental health sector. Workers are employed in the mental health sector in government, public, private or community managed services. As a graduate, you may pursue roles including:
Due to a rise in diagnosed mental health issues in Australia, there is a growing need for more mental health workers in the community services industry. Victoria's Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2021-2024 outlines the State government’s plan to provide 358 full-time positions across the mental health system.
Jobs and Skills Australia projects that work opportunities for social and welfare professionals are set to increase by 14.8% to 2028.
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. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older before commencing and must meet the minimum university entry requirements.
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.
You must hold a Victorian Working with Children Check valid for 5 years, prior to undertaking clinical components as part of this course.
Note: For clinical components undertaken interstate, a valid Working With Children Check for that state is required.
You must present evidence of a successful Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this course.
Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using your name and RMIT-issued student email address once you have commenced your studies. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
You may be required to apply for and receive an acceptable NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placement with an NDIS provider as part of this course.
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.
When you successfully complete this certificate, you may be eligible to apply for further studies at RMIT such as a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree. Contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.
Credit, 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 Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$373.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$373.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
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
$373.00
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: $18.65 per nominal hour ($15,106.50 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$89.10
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$89.10 |
|
Material fees
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$89.10
Includes all fees listed above
|
$89.10 |
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: $18.65 per nominal hour ($15,106.50 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$4,350.00
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
$4,350.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$386.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$386.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
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
$4,736.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$4,736.00 |
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 ($9,355.50 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$870.00
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$870.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$89.10
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$89.10 |
|
Material fees
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$959.10
Includes all fees listed above
|
$959.10 |
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 ($11,947.50 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$13,000.00
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
|
$13,000.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$386.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$386.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
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
$13,386.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$13,386.00 |
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 Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
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)
$0.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$0.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
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
$0.00
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 ($9,355.50 total).
Generated on 15 July 2026 | RMIT University's Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Code is 3046 | Payment and refund information
VET Student Loan cap for Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (C4425): $
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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$0
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$0
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$ 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
