Alcohol and Other Drugs

Working with community members who struggle with alcohol, substance use, or mental health issues require specialised skills and proper training. CIT’s community service courses prepare students for working with these community members by providing knowledge of themselves and society. You will learn techniques for working with people one-on-one, in groups and in a community work setting.

Discover the major addiction models, gain knowledge of basic mental health conditions, and learn practical skills for working with alcohol and drug-affected people with mental health issues.

Industry Placement

Get 200 unpaid hours of industry experience with an industry placement! This will give you the hands-on skills to be ready for employment. CIT staff can assist you in organising your placement.

(Certificate IV: 80 unpaid hours.  Diploma: 120 unpaid hours)

Why Study at CIT?

  • Hands-on industry experience
  • One of five specialised fields of study to personalise your Community Services Diploma
  • Many job opportunities in Canberra and throughout Australia
  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs | CHC43215
    CRICOS: 091154F

    Diploma of Community Services | CHC52015
    CRICOS: 089976G

    A new training package will be introduced for the Diploma qualification in 2023.

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    TOTAL CIT PACKAGE: 2 years
    Certificate IV: 12 months Diploma: 12 months

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2023 Semester 1 (February/April) and Semester 2 (July)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Bruce

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2023:

    Certificate IV $7,450 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $14,900)

    Diploma $7,450 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $14,900)

    Extra Fees:

    Working with Vulnerable People Check: $135 approx., you may be required to purchase a shirt for placement for $30-$40

    Certificate IV: First Aid Certificate: $120 - $250

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small fee increases may happen annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. 2024 fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • Year 12 Certificate (or equivalent)

    Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry with relevant practical work or other professional experience. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

    English requirements:

    • IELTS 5.5 (no band score less than 5.0)
    • TOEFL iBT - 46
    • PTE Academic - 42 (minimum of 36 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 162

    Other requirements:

    Before undertaking any work placement you must be eligible to apply for, and hold a 'Working with Vulnerable People Check'.
    Before undertaking any work placement, you must:
    - be at least 18 years of age
    - be eligible to apply for, and hold a 'Working with Vulnerable People Check' and
    - have a current First Aid Certificate (HLTAID003 Provide first aid).

    Information will be provided on enrolment.

  • Course Subjects - Certificate IV

    Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs | CHC43215 - 17 subjects

    Core: complete all 12 subjects

    • CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
    • CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships
    • CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
    • HLTAID003 Provide first aid
    • CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
    • CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
    • CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
    • CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
    • CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
    • CHCCCS014 Provide brief interventions

    Electives: Complete 5 subjects

    • CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs
    • HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
    • CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
    • CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
    • CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
    • HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment
  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Community Services | CHC52015 - 16 subjects

    (Subjects completed in the Certificate III will not need to be completed again)

    Core: Complete all 8 subjects

    • CHCCOM003 Develop workplace communication strategies
    • CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity
    • CHCCCS007 Develop and implement service programs
    • CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance
    • CHCDEV002 Analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
    • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
    • CHCMGT005 Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes
    • HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety

    Electives: Complete 6 subjects

    • CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
    • CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities
    • CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
    • CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
    • CHCADV005 Provide systems advocacy services
    • CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
    • 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 drugs issues
    • CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
    • CHCYTH012 Manage service response to young people in crisis
    • CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
    • CHCCSM005 Develop, facilitate and review all aspects of case management
    • CHCCSM004 Coordinate complex case requirements

    Electives: Complete maximum of 2 subjects

    • CHCMHS010 Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
    • CHCYTH008 Support young people to take collective action
    • CHCYTH009 Support youth programs
    • CHCMHS012 Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
    • CHCCSM008 Undertake advanced client assessment
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Certificate IV: Case worker, Community support worker, Outreach Worker, Detoxification Worker, Drug and Alcohol Worker

    Diploma: Manager/advanced skills community welfare worker in the health and community services field - including children's services, family support, women's and men's services, residential and non-residential.

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    Modes of study include:

    • simulated workplaces for students to practice their new skills
    • work experience or work placement
    • supervised study time with a teacher
    • on-line learning and student engagement through e-Learn

    Students must complete class work, assignments, practical components and project work throughout the course. They may then be assessed using a combination of these tasks, continuous assessment and examinations. Assessment outcomes may be based on competency, marks and grades, or a combination of all three assessment methods.

  • Pathways to Further Study

    CIT’s credit transfer arrangements can reduce the time and fees required to complete a bachelor degree at university. If you successfully complete your CIT qualification and gain entry into the university below, you will receive the following:

    Australian Catholic University
    Bachelor of Social Work

    We advise you speak directly with your chosen university in relation to credit transfer, entry requirements and their application process.

    Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (1 year)
    PLUS
    Diploma of Community Services (1 year)
    =
    2 years of study
    ▼
    Optional degree pathway available

    Because CIT offers nationally recognised qualifications accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), students can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to most universities within Australia and receive credit towards a degree, even where formal credit transfer arrangements are not in place; however, this is not a guarantee.