How do I become a peer support worker
Get qualified to work as a peer support worker with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Peer Support Worker.
Common questions
In Australia, a full time peer support worker generally earns $1,600 per week ($83,200 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
Courses.com.au Team
There isn't specific data for peer support worker jobs, but general mental health support worker jobs appear to be on the rise. From 2019 to 2024, there is expected to be an approximately 29% national increase in jobs in the industry.
Source: Seek.com.au
Courses.com.au Team
To become a peer support worker, you often must have a Mental Health qualification. There are several potential nationally accredited learning pathways that can help you fulfil this requirement. A Certificate IV in Mental Health will take about 12 months to complete depending on if you study online, on campus or blend study modes and whether you study part time or full time. There is also a work placement component. A Diploma of Mental Health can take the same amount of time and have similar requirements. While neither of these qualifications guarantees employment, they are often considered a strong foundation for prospective employees.
Courses.com.au Team
Further reading
What can you do with a Certificate IV in Mental Health?
28th October 2019
What do social workers do?
11th December 2019All peer support worker courses
- 10170NAT Course in Community Breastfeeding Mentoring
- 11201NAT Certificate III in Women's Advocacy
- 22469VIC Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme
- 22532VIC Course in Supporting People with Psychosocial Disability
- 22567VIC Certificate I in Transition Education
- Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs
- CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services
- CHC40512 Certificate IV in Mental Health
- CHC43215 & CHC43315 Dual Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs & Certificate IV in Mental Health
- CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
- CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
- CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (Consumer Peer Work)
- CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
- CHCSS00084 Lead and Support Colleagues
- CHCSS00103 Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set
- CHCSS00130 Individual Support - Disability
- CHCSS00133 Induction to Disability Support
- HLT64115 Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Mental Health)
- Undergraduate Certificate in Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Undergraduate Certificate in Principles of Health Promotion
Peer Support Worker careers
Peer support workers play a key role in the mental health field, offering assistance and encouragement to those living with mental health issues. This includes not only those who have illnesses, but also friends, families and others impacted by illness. Peer support workers draw on shared experiences to determine the best course of action of patients and clients.
Peer support in mental health can take a variety of forms depending on what the circumstance calls for. Workers are deeply knowledgeable about available resources, and can help facilitate the use of or participation in support groups and other community services. Peer support can also take place on a personal level, with one-to-one visits and consultations centred on something as simple as socialising to more detailed plan-building and goal-setting.
