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Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
CHC53215
Training provided by Partners in Training Australia, RTO 21837.
Course Overview
The Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs reflects the role of workers who work under broad supervision and guidance and provide services to clients with alcohol and other drugs issues. They can provide counselling, referral and promotion services. These workers require high level specialist knowledge, skills and competencies especially in regard to laws affecting clients, the range of services available to them and health issues related to alcohol and drugs use and misuse.
This nationally recognised qualification includes Structured Workplace Learning. During your work placement, you will find a role within a community services environment and work with an approved supervisor to gain reallife skills that could help you step directly into the workforce.
Please note you will not be studying through Fresh Futures Australia but Partners in Training a Nationally Recognised Registered Training Organisation.
Course Essentials
Qualification Code: CHC53215
Recognition: Nationally recognised - meets Australian Qualifications Framework.
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Study: Full-Time Study
Study mode: Classroom-based
Class time: 9.30am to 4pm
Duration: 14 months
Homework: 10hrs of research, article reading & assessment work per week.
Assessment: Knowledge evidence, direct demonstration and observation, portfolios, projects, role plays, case studies and presentations.
Practical Placement Hours: 100 hours (Minimum)
Skills First Funded Admin Fee: $100 (Upfront & non-refundable)
Skills First Funded Tuition Fee: $100
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Throughout your studies, you will be required to complete your research, assessments as well as accessing your emails using a desktop/laptop/mobile device with internet availability.
​Please note Fees are subject to change without warning.
Requirements
Education: There are no formal education entry requirements for this course.
Minimum Age: You will need to be at least 18 years old.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy: To assist prospective students to determine whether a course is suitable and appropriate for the individual needs Partners in Training will assess all students' language, literacy and numeracy by asking you to undertake a self-assessment review prior to the enrolment. A Partners in Training course advisor will discuss the outcomes of the review and make recommendations about whether the course is suitable for you and identify additional support where required.
Enrolment Application & Pre-Training Review: To be done during the Information Session or Online.
Equipment: Throughout your studies, you will be required to complete your research and assessments as well as accessing your emails using a desktop/laptop with internet availability.
Police Check & Working with Children Check: This qualification requires you to hold current and satisfactory checks in order for you to undertake practical placement hours.
Potential job titles:
Typical employers of community workers:
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Alcohol and Other Drugs Community Rehabilitation Worker
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Case Worker (Community Services)
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Drug and Alcohol Community Support Worker
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Youth Alcohol and Other Drugs Worker
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Assistant Community Health Worker
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Mental Health Support Worker
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Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker
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Mental Health Outreach Worker
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Outreach Officer (Alcohol and Other Drugs)
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Assistant Community Health Worker
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Assistant Community Worker
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Assistant Community Services Worker
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Clinical Service Clinics
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Local Health clinics
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Detoxification departments
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Outreach facilities
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
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Youth Mental Health Services
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Hospital and Health Services
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Mission Australia
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Red Cross
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The Salvation Army
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Education Departments
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Government institutions
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Welfare agencies
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Private businesses
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Community development groups
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Police Academy (This course is not an entry requirement)
Responsibilities
As an Alcohol and Drugs Worker some tasks you could perform throughout your day can include:
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Outreach work - visiting substance users and helping with immediate needs
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Drop-in centre - work talking to clients about their needs and finding ways of supporting them towards recovery
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Counselling and rehabilitation - giving support and dealing with the causes of substance misuse
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Arrest referral work - supporting clients arrested for drugrelated offences
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Education and training - helping clients access services
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Healthcare - working as a specialist nurse in an addiction clinic
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Needle exchange - providing clean sharps and giving advice on how to use substances safely
Skills and Interests
As an Alcohol and Drugs Worker some personal attributes should be:
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Empathy and a calm, caring approach
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An understanding of substance misuse issues and their impact on people
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A non-judgemental attitude
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The ability to build trusting relationships
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Excellent communication and listening skills
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The ability to work closely with a range of different organisations
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Tact and sensitivity patience and resilience
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Good organisational and planning skills
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The ability to relate to people from all backgrounds
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Patience and perseverance, for coping with challenges and setbacks
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A non-judging attitude initiative, enthusiasm and motivation
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Skills in researching, analysing statistics and writing reports
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Commitment to equality and diversity
What you'll learn
Throughout your studies, you will discover the knowledge of
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Developing and delivering a range of relapse prevention strategies for people with AOD issues
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Developing and implementing a behaviour response plan
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Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and colleagues
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Providing services to people with complex needs
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Supporting the recovery process
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Trauma informed care
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Supporting people with co-existing issues
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Assess promote and review emotional and physical wellbeing
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Communication techniques to build and maintain relationships
Course Units
To successfully complete CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs you must complete the following units of competency:
CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services
CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD007 Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
CHCAOD008 Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drug issues
CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
CHCCSM004 Coordinate complex case requirements
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCMHS003 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS006 Facilitate the recovery process with the person, family and carers
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPRP002 Collaborate in professional practice
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCSOH001 Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
HLTAID003 Provide first aid
Assessment
Assessment is an important part of your learning and is required in order for you to gain a nationally recognised qualification or statement of attainment. To be assessed as competent, you are required to undertake supervised workplace experience in a relevant community services delivery setting involving, for example, direct client work, community education or community development, with evidence provided by your supervisor contributing to assessment of your ability to work at this level.
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Assessment methods may include (but are not limited to):
- Practical Placement
- Interviews
- Demonstrations
- A Portfolio
- Product Design
Trainer Support
Partners in Training hand selects their trainers to ensure that they have the vocational competencies, current industry skills and current knowledge in skills and vocational training. You will be exposed to various trainers throughout the duration of your course, each specialising in their given field available to assist you. This means that they are able to draw on their depth of experience in each class, creating a fulfilling, knowledgeable and enjoyable environment. All trainers hold relevant training and assessment qualifications.
Practical Placement Hours
This qualification requires you to hold a current and satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check to undertake workplace experience. You are required to undertake a minimum of 100 hours of workplace experience through work placement in a relevant community service delivery setting involving, for example, direct client work, community education or community development.
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Some examples of where your placement will be undertaken are:
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Community Organisations
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Volunteer Community Organisations
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Health Facilities
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Mental Health Clinics
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Hospitals
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Please note in some cases travelling may be required.
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If you are currently working in the sector, your workplace may be used to undertake your practical placement hours, however, is subject to approval by the RTO.
Further Study
This qualification will provide you with a pathway to CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management and CHC82015 Graduate Certificate in Client Assessment and Case Management. Although it does not guarantee an employment outcome, completion of this qualification could lead to your employment in the community services industry.
Working with Children's Check & Police Check
These checks are compulsory to gain in order to commence your work placement. It is recommended that you start to apply for these closer to your work placement commencement so they are relevant.
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The Working with Children Check assists in protecting children from sexual or physical harm by ensuring that people who work with, or care for them are subject to a screening process. If you are doing or intending to do child-related work and do not qualify for an exemption, you need a Check. Visit me for more information.
Children's Check: Approximately $130
Volunteer Card: Free
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The Victoria Police provides a service to all Victorians who wish to obtain a National Police Certificate for employment, voluntary work and occupation-related licensing or registration purposes. Information about an individual's criminal history will not be released without an applicant's written consent other than for law enforcement purposes. Visit me for more information.
Police Check (Volunteer/Student Placement): Approximately $20
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*Prices are subject to change without warning.
Skills First Funding & Eligibility Criteria
Skills First is a Victorian Government scheme that helps people access vocational education and training. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training. Government-subsidised training is only offered by training providers who have a contract with the Victorian Government to deliver training.
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Eligibility criteria for government-subsidised training (Skills First)
You must:
- Be a resident in Victoria and attend all classes of your studies; and
- Be an Australian citizen, or a holder of a permanent visa, or a New Zealand citizen (visa 444) or as an asylum seeker, you may be able to get subsidised training though the Asylum seeker VET program.
- ‘Upskilling’ by seeking to enrol in a course at a higher level than existing qualification.
- Students are only eligible to commence a maximum of two subsidised courses in a calendar year.
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Age and prior education
If you are 20 years of age or over as at 1 January in the year you start your course, you may be eligible for a government-subsidised place if you are applying for a qualification higher than any other qualification you have already completed (in addition to meeting all other eligibility criteria).
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Education history
You must not:
- Be currently enrolled in secondary school.
- Have started, or are due to start, more than two programs in a government subsidised place (including VET) in the same calendar year.
- Be currently enrolled in two or more programs in government-subsidised places at the same time.
- Have, in your lifetime, started two or more programs in a government-subsidised place at the same level as the program you are applying for.
- Have not completed the same level or higher than the one you wish to enrol.
Course Fees & Payment Plans
If you are eligible your fees are:
$100 Administration Fee (Upfront & non-refundable) + $200 Tuition Fee
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Payment Plans
For eligible students, payment plans are available for the Tuition Fee of fortnightly payments of $50 + $50 + $50 + $50.
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If you do not meet the Funding Eligibility Criteria you can still undertake the course as a Fee For Service Student, your Tuition Fee is: $8,500 + $100 Admin Fee.
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Fee For Service students can seek help via Centrepay or Ezidebit.
Centrelink
Please note that some Centrelink Payments may be affected by undertaking study. We strongly advise you speak to your Centrelink Coordinator to see if you are affected. Fresh Futures Australia accepts no responsibility or liability for affected payments.
Meet your Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
Partners in Training Australia is a family owned and operated vocational training organisation that has provided high-quality education across Australia for over a decade.
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They have Industry expertise in the Community Services and Health Care industries, which includes; Nursing, Aged Care, Early Childhood Education and a wide range of Community Services. They offer a variety of funding opportunities through State and Federal funding for eligible students and are located across Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
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Through their flexible training models, they are able to deliver training and assessment services that support training to fit effectively into the demands of work, family and social life.
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They offer experienced and professional trainers and assessors who have the most relevant and current skills and knowledge with strong industry links. Their trainers and assessors understand what Industry expectations are for graduates of nationally recognised qualifications and prepare you to hit the road running. Their training models are mapped to real job outcomes and requirements, providing their adult learners with the skills and knowledge needed in real job applications.
Enrolment Process
1. Fill out our Student Questionnaire
The Student Questionnaire is designed for me to get to know you a little better before I pass your details over to the RTO conducting the course. This doesn't guarantee your acceptance into the RTO nor is it a part of the enrolment paperwork.
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2. Speak to one of our Student Liaison Coordinators
Once you have completed your Student Questionnaire, one of our Student Liaison Coordinators will give you a courtesy call to:
- Further discuss your eligibility.
- Ensure you have read over the study details.
- Speak further about your career goals and suitability for the course.
- Give you additional information and answer any further questions you may have.
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If you decide that you would like to proceed with the application process after speaking with one of our Student Liaison Coordinators then we will invite you to an Information Session.
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3. Information Session
This Information Session is your opportunity to speak to Partners in Training's friendly team and listen to valuable information about the course, complete your application form and enrol. To complete the enrolment forms, you will need the following:
- Unique Student Identifier (USI) - Create your USI here.
- Victorian Student Number (VSN) - Only required for students who have attended a Victorian school since 2009
- Evidence of Citizenship/Residency and Age such as Drivers Licence and Medicare Card.
Please have these documents with you during the information session. Completion of the Enrolment Application Form does not guarantee enrolment. A Partners in Training Authorised Delegate will review your form and determine the progression of enrolment.
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What will be covered
- General information about Partners in Training, industry areas and delivery locations
- Vocational Education & Training, learning pathways, course choice and industry based trainers
- Student Support
- Entry requirements, LLN Quiz, funding eligibility
- Course details, expected hours of study, student handbook, refund policy
- Practical placement (WWCC & Police Records Check)
- Fees and payment options
- The enrolment session – you can enrol on the day
- Your suitability for the course
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4. First day of class
Please note that the Information Session is compulsory for you to complete before your first day of class. If you miss your Information Session this may delay your course commencement date. All of your First Day details will be confirmed during the Information Session and reminders will be emailed and SMS to you.
In an effort to keep classes commencing on time, we need a little help from you. If you choose to submit your Student Questionnaire, we at Fresh Futures Australia take that as a sign you'd like to continue along the path of enrolment. If you are a little unsure then please ask away by filling the form at the bottom of the page with any further questions you may have.
In order for classes to commence, we need 15+ students. This allows a healthy classroom environment for everyone. If we are trying to give you a call and you see a missed call, voicemail or text message from us or the RTO please be courteous and give us a callback, even if it's just a notification that you are no longer interested. Our feelings won't be hurt.
We look forward to receiving your Student Questionnaire and speaking to you further about your career path.