Get Into Crisis Support Work
Whether you're in support work now or want to start, this course shows you what to do in a crisis. You'll learn to keep a person safe, then help them take a first step. It's online at your own speed, plus Zoom sessions booked ahead.
Course Snapshot
- ✓No exams
- ✓No work placement
- ✓No experience needed
- ✓Units count toward the Diploma of Counselling
Why Do This Course
Know What to Do in a Crisis
If you work in mental health, housing, aged care, disability or youth work, crises land on your desk. You'll learn to spot one early, keep the person safe, make a safety plan and refer on.
A Short Way Into Support Work
Maybe you're moving toward crisis or mental health support and want a first unit on your record. No prior experience is needed, and the units carry forward into the diploma.
Done in About Two Months
At 14 to 16 hours a week, most of it self-paced online, the course takes around two months. The Zoom sessions are booked ahead, with several times offered weekly.
What You'll Learn
Two units: responding to a crisis, and the short talks that help someone take a first step.
What You’ll Get
In the Course
- ✓Two nationally recognised units, crisis response and brief interventions
- ✓Pre-recorded teaching sessions, study in your own time
- ✓Zoom sessions, 90 minutes, several times weekly
- ✓Five role plays, two with an assessor, three self-recorded
As a Student
- ✓Trainer support, through the course
- ✓Learner Support Officer, there when you need it
- ✓Job-Ready Program, from the start of study
- ✓Employer-paid option, teams can enrol together
What Makes It Different
Three things set this short course apart: motivational interviewing taught inside the brief talks unit, role plays with an assessor, and units that count later.
Motivational interviewing is taught and assessed inside CHCCCS014, the brief talks unit. It isn't a standalone MI certificate, but you'll have tried the method on camera before you use it at work.
You'll complete five role plays: two assessor-led Zoom sessions in groups of two or three, and three shorter ones you record yourself. Responding to a crisis will be something you've done, not just read about.
Both units can be credited toward the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling, where crisis response is a core unit. They also carry into the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health and the CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health.
What You'll Earn
Crisis Intervention and Motivational Interviewing Short Course
Statement of Attainment · 2 nationally recognised units
Statement of Attainment
On completion, you receive a Statement of Attainment for the two units. It's a formal VET credential, not a qualification.
Credit Toward the Diploma
The units can be credited toward the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling, where crisis response is a core unit.
A Path Into Mental Health
The same units carry into the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health and the CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health.
How It Works
Apply
Apply online, or by phone with the Admissions Team.
Quick Skills Check
Complete a short online literacy and numeracy quiz.
Have Your Call
A pre-training call confirms you're eligible and ready to start.
Start Your Study
Receive your letter of acceptance and portal login.
How to Get Started
Common Questions
Do I need experience to enrol?
Not for this course. You'll need to be 18 or over with study rights here, and you'll do a language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills check, then a pre-training call. No Year 12 or ATAR is needed, and there's no police check, because there's no placement.
How long does it take?
Around two months, at 14 to 16 hours a week. Most of the study is self-paced online, with Zoom sessions booked in advance and several times offered each week.
How will I be assessed?
Through written tasks, case studies and practical activities, plus five role plays. Two are assessor-led over Zoom in small groups, and three are shorter ones you record and submit through the portal. There are no exams.
Is this course government funded?
This course is not government funded. You pay the college directly, weekly or fortnightly interest-free, or upfront. Employers can also pay directly and enrol several staff at once.
What if the crisis content is close to home?
That's worth a chat before you enrol. Talk to your course advisor first, so the content and the timing suit you.
Can I get credit for past study?
You may be able to. Identical units completed at another RTO can be credit-transferred with your AQF documents or VET transcript. If you've done the Family and Domestic Violence and Anger Management Short Course, that already covers the crisis unit, so say so at your pre-training call.
Is this a mental health or counselling qualification?
You'll finish with two nationally recognised units and a Statement of Attainment, a formal VET credential rather than a qualification. On its own it doesn't qualify you for crisis-line roles, and it isn't a branded suicide prevention program. The units count toward the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling and the mental health courses, so it's a first step.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, early on. Cancel before or within 3 days of acceptance for a full refund. After that, no refund applies and you stay liable for the full fees.
About the College
Hader Institute of Education is a registered training organisation, RTO 45162. Across all its courses, students rate the college 4.9 out of 5 from 850+ Google reviews.
Your Future Starts Today
In two months you'll know how to respond when someone is in crisis.