Study Method Online
Provider Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
Recognition Nationally Recognised Training
Start Date Enrol anytime

Course overview

The Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs is the ideal path for those wanting to work in the Alcohol & Other Drugs sector. You'll learn how to provide foundational skills and services to those who experience issues relating to alcohol & other drug use, including developing and reviewing treatment plans, advanced interventions, counselling, and more.

Who's It For?

This course is suitable for people from all sorts of backgrounds, including those seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession or wanting to acquire specialised counselling skills as an adjunct or extension to their core profession. It is for those who want to work directly with people through addiction and recovery and are drawn to the counselling side of that work.

Job outcomes

  • Drug and Alcohol Community Support Worker
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Community Worker
  • Outreach Officer (Alcohol and Other Drugs)
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

What you'll learn

  • Develop and review treatment plans as a client's circumstances change
  • Deliver advanced interventions suited to each person's situation
  • Establish and maintain a counselling relationship
  • Apply the major counselling theories and approaches in practice
  • Recognise the responsibilities that come with counselling someone
  • Work with clients whose needs extend beyond their substance use
  • Provide foundational skills and services to those experiencing issues relating to alcohol & other drug use

Recognitions

Nationally Recognised Training

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online

Duration study load

  • 18 months full-time. Part-time and self-paced options are also available.

Delivery

The Diploma of Alcohol & Other Drugs is delivered entirely online, allowing students to study from home anywhere in Australia and progress through their studies at their own pace.

Practical components can be completed through:

  • Online group workshops via Zoom/Skype
  • Uploading a video demonstration of skills
  • One-on-one or small group sessions with a private assessor (available in numerous regional areas across Australia)
  • Regular seminars held in most capital cities throughout Australia

Entry requirements

You are able to gain entry to the Diploma of Alcohol & Other Drugs if you have:

  • Completed Year 12, or
  • Completed a Certificate III qualification, or
  • At least 3 years of sufficient life experience (work or study), if over 21 years of age.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Course features

  • Delivered fully online with self-paced, flexible learning

  • Specialist counselling and community services education provider with over 30 years of experience

  • Unlimited access to a toll-free Study Assistance Line (9am–5pm EST, Monday to Friday) staffed by degree-qualified Education Advisers

  • Access to the My.AIPC Student Portal for downloading workbooks, completing and uploading activities, accessing the Knowledge Base, and more

  • Regular seminars in most capital cities with qualified lecturers and casework sessions

  • Private assessors available in numerous regional areas across Australia

Work placement

Several units require practical demonstration of skills. Students must demonstrate counselling and intervention techniques with real people. Options for completing practical components include:

  • Online group workshops (via Zoom/Skype)
  • Video recording a demonstration of skills
  • One-on-one or small group sessions with a private assessor
  • Seminars held in capital cities

Students must also complete HLTAID011 Provide First Aid through an external appropriate training organisation and provide a Statement of Attainment for credit transfer. Students will need the physical capacity to undertake CPR for at least two minutes kneeling on the floor.

Recognition of prior learning

Certificate IV graduates in Alcohol and Other Drugs receive 10 units of credit towards the Diploma, which cuts the study time roughly in half. Credit transfer is also available for HLTAID011 Provide First Aid upon submission of a Statement of Attainment from an appropriate external training organisation.

Professional Recognition

NRT – This is a nationally recognised training program in Australia (qualification code CHC53215), ensuring quality, status and integrity.

Graduates can also apply for membership of the Alcohol and Other Drugs College through the Australian Counselling Association (entry requirements apply).

Assessment

Assessment includes written activities submitted via the My.AIPC Student Portal and practical demonstration of skills in several units. Practical assessments can be completed via online group workshop (Zoom/Skype), video demonstration, or sessions with a private assessor or at seminars.

Subjects

Core Units
CHCCSL001Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCCSL002Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
CHCCSL007Support counselling clients in decision-making processes
CHCCSL003Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
CHCDIV001Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island cultural safety
CHCMHS007Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCCOM006Establish and manage client relationships
CHCADV005Provide systems advocacy services
CHCAOD001Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD004Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCCCS004Assess co-existing needs
CHCAOD009Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
CHCAOD006Provide intervention for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD008Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD007Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
CHCMHS005Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and other alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCCCS007Develop and implement service programs
CHCPOL003Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPRP002Collaborate in professional practice
CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve own professional practice
HLTAID011Provide First Aid

Want more information about the subjects for this course?

Payment options

  • Upfront and Payment Plans available

  • AIPC is approved as a Higher Education Provider by the Australian Government so you can choose to finance your unit fees via the FEE-HELP system. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible fee-paying students in paying their tuition fees.

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors

The Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) is Australia’s largest and longest-established educator of Counsellors. Our specialist training programs include our acclaimed Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor of Counselling, and Master of Counselling. All our programs are government and industry-accredited.

We are an organisation founded on the principle of enabling people to help others. At the very heart of our logo, designed three decades ago, is the statement “Caring for people.” That’s the core of what we do, and that’s why our work matters.

RTO Provider Number: 0670 | Institute of Higher Education: Provider ID PRV12083.

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