Certificate IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs
CHC43215
Support people navigating alcohol and other drugs issues, and help build stronger, healthier communities. This entry-level qualification prepares you to work across community-based organisations, withdrawal services, residential rehabilitation and outreach services, with automatic eligibility to upgrade to AIPC's Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs, receiving 10 units of credit.
This qualification reflects the role of entry level workers who provide services and interventions to clients with alcohol and other drugs issues and/or implement health promotion and community interventions.
This qualification prepares you to work across a range of alcohol and other drug support services, including community-based organisations, withdrawal services, residential rehabilitation services and outreach services, under the guidance of experienced practitioners and professionals. You are also eligible to upgrade to AIPC’s Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs, automatically receiving 10 units of credit.
You are able to gain entry to the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs if you have:
Completed Year 12, or
Completed a Certificate III qualification, or
Have at least 3 years of sufficient life experience (work or study), if over 21 years of age.
The Certificate IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs is a nationally recognised training program in Australia, so you can be assured of its quality, status and integrity.
Reduced Upfront (and enjoy a substantial discount).
Fortnightly Payment Plan (take advantage of our fortnightly payment plans)
Pay via Credit Card or Direct Debit
Our Student Support Centres are located in:
Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast & Northern Rivers
Sydney
Melbourne
Adelaide
Perth
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Course Recognition
Why study our Certificate IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs
Our Certificate IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs is an ideal entry-level qualification to help those wanting support with their substance issues as part of a broader support team.
Career ready
When you graduate you will be extremely well prepared to pursue a career in the alcohol & other drugs sector. You’ll enjoy our strong industry reputation and linkage.
Extremely applicable
Our program is extremely suitable for people from all sorts of backgrounds. It’s the ideal path, whether you are seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession; or want to acquire specialised counselling skills as an adjunct or extension to your core profession.
Counselling education specialists
We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.
Flexible learning
With so many demands on our time it can be difficult to fit study in around other commitments, that's why our Diploma of Alcohol & Other Drugs has been designed to maximise your learning from home where you can progress through your studies at your own pace.
Career ready
When you graduate you will be extremely well prepared to pursue a career in the alcohol & other drugs sector. You’ll enjoy our strong industry reputation and linkage.
Extremely applicable
Our program is extremely suitable for people from all sorts of backgrounds. It’s the ideal path, whether you are seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession; or want to acquire specialised counselling skills as an adjunct or extension to your core profession.
Counselling education specialists
We believe you're better off learning from a specialist than a generalist. Many training providers deliver courses across a variety of industries. At AIPC, we prefer to concentrate on counselling and community services education.
Flexible learning
With so many demands on our time it can be difficult to fit study in around other commitments, that's why our Diploma of Alcohol & Other Drugs has been designed to maximise your learning from home where you can progress through your studies at your own pace.
Course Outline
Work in an alcohol or other drugs context
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to understand and apply information relevant to working with a client in an alcohol and other drugs context.
Work with diverse people, Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
In this unit, you will be guided to reflect upon gender, culture, ethnicity, subcultures, sexuality and ability, and how they are each to be valued and respected within our community and a counselling context. You will also learn to communicate effectively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and situations, including people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders. This unit also explores the concept of cultural safety from the perspective of counselling service provision and development of community services programs.
Work legally and ethically
This unit explores the legal and ethical frameworks in which you are required to work within. You will learn how to fulfil specific legal and ethical responsibilities as well as how to address common legal and ethical issues within your practice.
Use communication to build relationships #
Students will learn how to use specific communication techniques to establish, build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders based on respect and trust.
Provide brief interventions #
In this unit, you will learn about the key theoretical underpinnings of brief interventions and how to implement this to facilitate client changes. Specifically, you will learn to provide appropriate support to clients at different stages of change.
Provide loss and grief support #
This unit specifically explores the issues of grief and loss and how counsellors can support clients through this process. You will learn some key theories and skills that will help you to understand and respond appropriately to clients experiencing grief and loss.
Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues #, Assess co-existing needs
Through this unit, students will learn how to conduct assessments to assess needs of new alcohol and other drugs clients. You will learn how to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs.
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships #
This unit focuses on developing networks, service delivery and improving your professional practice.
Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans #
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to establish treatment goals, and to develop and evaluate individual treatment plans to meet these goals.
Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues #
You will learn the skills and knowledge to confirm, conduct and monitor intervention strategies to address alcohol and other drug issues. You will also learn strategies, such as conflict resolution and mediation to managing challenging situations that often arise during the implementation of these interventions.
Work with people with mental health issues #
This unit focuses on how to work respectfully with clients experiencing mental health concerns. You will learn about the key principles and practices in working collaboratively with a client, their support network, and other service providers, in order to best meet their needs.
Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues #
This unit introduces you to the skills and knowledge to work together with clients with co-existing mental health and AOD issues, such as working collaboratively to develop and implement a plan of action to address their co-existing needs. You will also learn how to provide support and services to clients such that the risks they may experience are minimized and address their needs for further care, if required.
Recognize and respond to crisis situations #
This unit focuses on working effectively with clients at risk or in crisis. Particularly, you will learn how to identify, address, and respond to various crisis situations and facilitate referrals where appropriate. You will also learn about the importance of self-care and supervision in crisis support work.
Reflect on and improve own professional practice #
Students will learn how to evaluate their own professional development through evaluation and reflection practices.
Provide first aid
External unit
# These units require the practical demonstration of skills in a real or simulated work environment.
This qualification requires the completion of HLTAID011, Provide First Aid. Students are required to attain this through an appropriate training organisation and provide a Statement of Attainment to receive a Credit Transfer for this unit. In undertaking this unit, students will need to have the physical capacity to undertake CPR for at least two minutes kneeling on the floor.
At AIPC we have a payment method to suit every student. If you decide to pay for your course upfront you will enjoy a substantial discount, and you can concentrate on your studies without thinking about further payments. If you would prefer to spread your payments, you can take advantage of our fortnightly payment plans over 26 fortnights.
To further assist make training as accessible as possible, we separate payment for tuition (theory elements) from that of the practical course elements. Payment for the practical elements is done as they are undertaken. See full details below.
We always strive to keep tuition as affordable as possible, opening up quality education for everyone.
Course* | Reduced Upfront Payment | Fortnightly Payment** |
|---|---|---|
Certificate IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs | $2,990 | $139 |
*Total upfront course cost is $4,110, which includes tuition of $2,990, plus 8 practical sessions each of $140. The practical elements are paid as they are undertaken. They can be completed online (via Zoom/Skype), by uploading a video demonstration, or by having a private assessor assess your skills.
**Fortnightly payments can be made by Credit Card or Direct Debit.
For over 30 years AIPC has set the benchmark for service and support in education. We offer a complete external study support system that has been developed and refined over decades of research and continual student feedback.
Unlimited access to the Institutes Toll Free 1300 Study Assistance Line, 9am to 5pm EST Monday to Friday.
The structure of the Certificate IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs ensures you graduate with sufficient practical skill so you can apply your knowledge with confidence.
Students can elect to complete the practical components through various means, such as a one-on-one or small group session with a private assessor. We have private assessors in numerous regional areas across Australia.
Students can also complete their practical components by video recording a demonstration of their skills. We have guidelines available to assist students compile their recordings and develop effective role plays to demonstrate their skills.
The Institute website is an extremely helpful study resource. Via the website you can access the My.AIPC Student Portal which is your link to numerous study support and e-learning functions. You can:
Download electronic versions of your workbooks
Complete your activities and upload for marking
Contact an Online Education Adviser for study assistance
Access the Knowledge Base, a massive database of the most commonly asked academic questions, categorised for particular subjects, activities and concepts
See when seminars are available in your area
Plus much more.
Request a Course Guide
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30-day money-back guarantee.
If you're not satisfied we'll give you your money back.
Zero Risk
Your enrolment comes with a guarantee that empowers you to enrol risk-free. If, for any reason whatsoever you decide you do not want to proceed with your course within 30-day, we will give you a 100%, no questions asked, money back guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs prepares you for entry-level roles delivering services and interventions to people affected by substance-related concerns. Graduates work as alcohol and other drugs (AOD) support workers, outreach workers, residential rehabilitation support staff and community services workers, always under the guidance of more experienced practitioners. Some roles focus on health promotion and community intervention rather than direct support. The Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs is another step available that can take you even further, and graduates of this certificate receive 10 units of credit towards it automatically.
AOD workers are employed by organisations all over the community and health sectors, including:
Community-based organisations and support services
Withdrawal and detoxification services
Residential rehabilitation facilities
Outreach and mobile support programs
Health promotion and community education projects
Mental health services that support people with co-occurring needs
The Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs prepares you for entry-level positions in any of these settings, with your work guided by practitioners and professionals already established in the field.
AOD workers need the ability to build trust with people who may have had difficult experiences with services in the past. Listening without judgement matters more than almost anything else, since clients need to feel safe before they’ll talk openly about their substance use. You’ll also need a working understanding of how different drugs affect people, how withdrawal presents and when to refer someone to a service better suited to what they need. Clear record-keeping and steady communication with your team round out the role.
Several units in the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs require you to demonstrate your skills practically, either in a real workplace or a simulated one. This gives you the chance to apply what you’ve studied before you begin working with clients independently. You’ll also need to complete HLTAID011 Provide First Aid through an external training organisation and submit the Statement of Attainment for credit transfer. That unit involves performing CPR for at least two minutes kneeling on the floor.
You’ll learn to support people experiencing issues related to alcohol and other drugs, whose circumstances vary considerably from one person to the next. Some clients are seeking help for the first time, while others have been through withdrawal or rehabilitation before. Many are dealing with mental health concerns, housing insecurity, job instability or family breakdown at the same time as their alcohol or other drug use. The course teaches you to understand each person’s situation as a whole rather than treating the substance in isolation.
The course grounds you in what it takes to work in an alcohol and other drugs context over 15 units, starting with the knowledge you need before you sit down with a client. You’ll learn how substances affect people physically and psychologically, how to respond when someone is in crisis and how to deliver interventions appropriate to your role. Health promotion and community intervention are a part of the qualification as well, so you’ll be equipped to work with communities rather than only individuals.
AIPC teaches the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs online, so you can study from anywhere in Australia and work through the material at your own pace. Full-time study takes around 18 months, with part-time and self-paced options available if you’re fitting study around a job or family. The practical components can be completed in real or simulated work environments.
You might be a good fit for this course if you want to work with people through addiction and recovery, and you can stay steady when someone’s progress isn’t linear. Students come from all sorts of backgrounds, some starting fresh in the community services sectors and others adding specialised skills to a profession they already work in. To apply, you’ll need Year 12 or a completed Certificate III. Three years of relevant life experience also qualifies you if you’re over 21.
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