Preston
10 months full time
10 months full time
Minimum age of 18 years. Satisfactory Police Check for placements.
Drug and alcohol workers provide support to those struggling with substance abuse. 130,000 people received treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse in 2017-18, and there is a demand for compassionate people with the skills required to provide quality care and support. If you would like to work in a withdrawal service, residential rehabilitation or an outreach service, Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs is the course for you.
Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs is ideal for entry level community support workers who provide services and interventions to clients with alcohol and other drugs issues, and implement health promotion and community interventions. You will learn practical skills in contexts such as community-based organisations, withdrawal services, residential rehabilitation services and outreach services under the guidance of other practitioners and professionals who will supervise and support your learning.
This qualification provides the knowledge and skill sets for support and care workers related to alcohol and other drugs, supporting workers within broader residential and community based settings. Once you’ve graduated, you might find work as a caseworker, community support worker, family support worker or drug and alcohol worker. Successful completion will see you graduate with a qualification widely recognised in the field, paving the way for further studies in community services and health and education, with a pathway to a wide variety of rewarding career options where you can make a difference in people’s lives.

"It means future to me. All I was doing before this was working in small jobs, or jobs that aren't going to get me far in life, so studying is a huge deal to me. It got me where I am now.... Studying gave me a path to go somewhere in my life."
You will be assessed in a variety of ways both in the classroom and in the workplace. Methods include demonstration of tasks/techniques, group activities, in-class activities, on-line, written work and 120 hours of work placement.
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| CHCCCS014 | PROVIDE BRIEF INTERVENTIONS | Core | 75 |
| CHCCCS004 | ASSESS CO-EXISTING NEEDS | Core | 80 |
| HLTAID003 | PROVIDE FIRST AID | Core | 18 |
| CHCAOD004 | ASSESS NEEDS OF CLIENTS WITH ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS ISSUES | Core | 135 |
| CHCAOD001 | WORK IN ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS CONTEXT | Core | 80 |
| CHCMHS007 | WORK EFFECTIVELY IN TRAUMA INFORMED CARE | Core | 40 |
| CHCAOD006 | PROVIDE INTERVENTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS ISSUES | Core | 70 |
| CHCDIV002 | PROMOTE ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL SAFETY | Core | 25 |
| CHCMHS001 | WORK WITH PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES | Core | 80 |
| CHCPRP001 | DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN NETWORKS AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS | Core | 80 |
| CHCAOD009 | DEVELOP AND REVIEW INDIVIDUAL ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS TREATMENT PLANS | Core | 75 |
| CHCMHS002 | ESTABLISH SELF-DIRECTED RECOVERY RELATIONSHIPS | Core | 60 |
| CHCCOM002 | USE COMMUNICATION TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS | Core | 55 |
| HLTWHS001 | PARTICIPATE IN WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY | Core | 20 |
| CHCDIV001 | WORK WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE | Core | 40 |
| CHCCSM004 | COORDINATE COMPLEX CASE REQUIREMENTS | Core | 75 |
| CHCMHS008 | PROMOTE AND FACILITATE SELF-ADVOCACY | Core | 50 |
| CHCLEG001 | WORK LEGALLY AND ETHICALLY | Core | 55 |
| CHCMHS011 | ASSESS AND PROMOTE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING | Core | 80 |
You can seek Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where your work experience or qualifications of an advanced and related nature have been undertaken. RPL is individually assessed based on evidence submitted by the student to the teaching department. Applications for RPL will be assessed by relevant Melbourne Polytechnic trainers, academics and where appropriate, industry experts.
Studying at Melbourne Polytechnic

We're here to make sure that your transition to student life at Melbourne Polytechnic is fun and as easy as possible
Services & support
Our Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic (SLAM) team run the fun stuff on campus: things like movie nights, bake sales, cook-offs, career expos, spring markets, and much more.
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Melbourne Polytechnic has a large range of specialist training facilities in health and community, construction, hospitality, education and more.
Specialist Training Facilities
One of the most common misconceptions about scholarships is that you have to be 'top in your class' to apply. Melbourne Polytechnic scholarships are awarded on a range of criteria such as merit, your area of study and personal circumstances.
ScholarshipsFree TAFE places are limited for this course in 2020. Please call 9269 8400 and we can advise you whether Free TAFE places are still available.
Free TAFE for priority courses cover the cost of tuition fees for students who are eligible. Materials and amenities may still apply.
Please note that the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will pay your tuition fees for only one course. Once you have commenced in a tuition-free priority course, you are not eligible for further tuition-free places again, even if you do not finish your first tuition-free priority course.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
To find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy we recommend you contact us help you find out.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1 November 2019. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Attend an Info Session
We're really excited for you to join the Melbourne Polytechnic community and we look forward to supporting you on your education journey.
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form. You'll then receive a link to complete a few more personal details.
It is a mandatory government requirement for all prospective students to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment. Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend of our Skills and Job Centres, or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about TPPs here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 03 9269 8400 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.

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