Mental health support worker job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed mental health support workers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed mental health support workers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Intellectual
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a mental health support worker
A mental health worker’s job description focuses on supporting people that experience mental health issues, working with them to set and achieve goals to improve their lives.
Some mental health support worker roles and responsibilities are:
- Assessing the client needs
- Referring clients to necessary related mental health services
- Communicating with other service providers and support programs
- Counselling for individuals or groups
- Researching and developing new services and programs
- Maintaining client records and assessing progress
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Makes a difference
Mental health is a complex and challenging area. Taking the time to understand what others are going through, listen to their wants and needs and help them achieve their goals can be some of the most rewarding work out there.
Enjoyable
With no two days alike, you have the opportunity to meet and help some of the most wonderful and interesting people from all walks of life.
Learning opportunities
Mental health support work is an interpersonal career. Talking to many unique individuals and clients means you are bound to learn something new everyday and never have a dull moment.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a mental health support worker
Health Care and Social Services is Australia’s largest growing industry and employs over 1.5 million people. Mental health workers come under this banner, along with social workers and other care workers, all with an extremely high growth rate that is predicted to continue.
The Australian federal and state governments announced substantial financial boosts to the mental health sector in response to the ongoing pandemic and the subsequent impact on our nation’s mental health. As a result, job opportunities in all areas of the mental health system for the foreseeable future.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
A job in mental health support is gratifying, and this might be a role where you are happy to stay. But, if you want to progress in your career path, starting a job as a support worker can lead you into more senior roles.
Some mental health career pathways could be:
Junior
-
Support worker
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015)
-
Volunteer coordinator
Most common qualification: Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
Mid
-
Coordinator – mental health
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (CHC43315)
-
Mental health nurse
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Mental Health) (HLT64115)
-
Outreach worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315)
Senior
-
Community development manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
-
Care manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
You may have more experience in a support role than you think. Any soft skills you have picked up through your life that have involved assisting or caring for people is an advantage in a mental health support worker career.
Empathy
People with problems in their mental health require compassion and understanding more than most. Being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is a considerable advantage in this role.
Communication
You need good communication and interpersonal skills to deal with clients, service providers and other key stakeholders in this role. Timely, clear and appropriate communication is essential for the well being of the people you are helping.
Active listening
Mental health problems are complicated, and many people find it hard to articulate what they are thinking and how they are feeling. Being an active listener means a dynamic approach in patience, asking questions and picking up on non-verbal cues.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
Many of the core skills needed for mental health support work are learnt in your bachelor’s degree and work placement experience.
Some of the job-specific skills you need in this role are:
Identify client mental health needs
Meeting with individuals and speaking with them about the challenges they face to build a picture of the support they may need.
Client counselling and goal setting
Providing a safe place to speak openly, giving guidance and helping define goals and a plan to achieve them.
Connecting with community groups and services
Establishing where the needs are for any other services a client might need and providing a referral.
Monitoring client progress and record-keeping
Follow up meetings with clients, assessing their progress and adapting support plans where necessary.
Crisis and risk management
Recognising when behaviours or situations have become dangerous and knowing the processes to ensure the client and their loved ones are safe.
Support for alcohol and other drug users
Specific support processes for clients that have substance abuse issues.
How to become a mental health support worker
-
Study
Equip yourself with essential mental health support skills by completing a relevant qualification through a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation, such as the Certificate IV in Mental Health.
-
Start a Traineeship
A traineeship or apprenticeship is a great way to get your foot in the door, get on the ground experience, and complete studies along the way. Generally, traineeships take 24 months to complete.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate IV in Mental Health
The Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to work in the community as a mental health professional. This course has theoretical and practical learning, with a work-placement element of at least 80 hours in the field.
The average course duration is one year and can be studied part of full time. The course can be delivered in various formats depending on the provider, including online and in-class lessons.
You may be eligible for an Australian government subsidy fee. Check with course providers for more information.
10 providers offer this course
Diploma of Counselling
A diploma in counselling (CHC51015) is a qualification for working with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling methods.
This course prepares the counsellor to work in defined and supported counselling roles in established agencies rather than independent practice.
The average course duration is one year, but you can be self-paced with your study. Learning is through blended study options, combining online study, in-class lessons, and practical work experience.
3 providers offer this course
Related subjects
Roles that support people and help them achieve their goals aren’t limited to mental health. There is a strong need for community service workers who are team players and have a natural ability to connect with people.
Some other subjects to explore:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Terence
Sep 01 2021Love being able to help people.
What are the best parts of the job?
The ability to help people is by far the best part.
What's the most challenging part?
The workload can be quite heavy at times.
Georgi
Sep 01 2021Communication aspect is enjoyable, and decision-making allows me to think deeply.
What are the best parts of the job?
Communicating with all my clients, as well as strategy decision.
What's the most challenging part?
Deciding the best way to handle situations of clients.
Ricardo
Sep 01 2021Best feeling is to positively impact someone's life, but the many different personalities can sometimes be challenging.
What are the best parts of the job?
Helping people find meaning in their lives again brings me joy.
What's the most challenging part?
Having to deal with a wide range of individuals with different personalities is challenging.
Related articles
If you feel that a career in mental health support is right for you, find out more about the industry and helpful resources to get you on your way.
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
A role in mental health care, aged care, disability or social work is best suited to the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer is a person that has plenty of empathy, works well in a team, genuinely wants to see others succeed and live their best lives.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what job personality type you are and your best job fit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the role of a mental health support worker?
Mental Health Support Workers deliver assistance to clients living with mental illness, their families, carers and friends.
What skills do I need to be a mental health support worker?
You need good communication skills, loads of empathy and practical skills acquired through training in mental health.
Is being a mental health support worker a good career?
If you love being around people and helping them achieve their goals, work as a mental health support worker could be perfect for you.
How much does a mental health support worker earn?
Mental health support workers in Australia typically earn between $50-$70K per year, depending on where you work and level of seniority.
What makes a good mental health support worker?
To be a good mental health support worker you need to be a people-person and have lots of empathy. Actively listening to people’s mental health problems is essential, as well as providing counselling and support.