Diploma of Mental Health

The Diploma of Mental Health at the Australian Health and Horticulture Institute is a one-year qualification for people who want to work directly with clients in mental health support roles. You study how mental health conditions present, how to communicate with people in distress, how to support someone through a recovery plan, and how to work safely within legal and ethical boundaries. There is a strong focus on trauma-informed practice and on working with families, carers and other services.

How the course is structured

As a diploma, this sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is normally delivered over two semesters full time, though some providers offer a trimester calendar. You complete a set of units of study, each with a credit point value, and you need to pass all of them to graduate. The exact unit list and credit points are set by the institute and published on its official page. Assessment is a mix of written tasks, practical demonstrations and supervised work placement.

Work placement and skills you build

Mental health support work is a job you learn by doing, so the diploma includes a professional placement component. You spend time in a community mental health service, a residential facility or a non-government organisation, working under supervision. That placement is where you practise the skills the course teaches: active listening, de-escalation, recognising changes in a client's mental state, keeping case notes, and referring people to the right service. You also learn to look after your own wellbeing, which matters in a field with high emotional demands.

Who it suits

This course suits people already working in community services, disability support or aged care who want to specialise in mental health. It also suits career changers who want a practical qualification without committing to a three-year degree. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English requirements for social work courses are usually higher than for other fields, so check the institute's published requirement and the Department of Home Affairs threshold for your student visa. Tuition is listed on the CRICOS register under course code 111664C. Confirm all details on the official page before you apply.

• Mental health support worker in community mental health services
• Peer support worker in non-government organisations
• Residential support worker in supported accommodation
• Case worker in homelessness or crisis services
• Support worker in alcohol and other drug services
• Disability support worker with a mental health focus
• Family and carer support worker
• Outreach worker in rural and remote health services

These roles are found across the Australian community services sector, including state health departments, NGOs, and private providers. The diploma can also be a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in social work or community services.