Training

Victorian Government workforce development strategy

What qualifications do I need to work in the alcohol and other drug sector?

Professional education and training courses

Continuing professional development

Keeping up-to-date with what's happening in the alcohol and other drug sector 

Victorian Government workforce development strategy

The Victorian Government has developed an Alcohol and Other Drug Workforce Development Strategy to make sure that everyone providing treatment within alcohol and other drug (AOD) services has access to relevant training and support.

Visit the Victorian Government's "Training and events" page to read about the Strategy and to look for their latest projects, opportunities and resources.

What qualifications do I need to work in the alcohol and other drug sector?

In most cases the Certificate IV can also be credited toward a diploma-level qualification. The Diploma will require a higher level of specialist knowledge, skills and competencies in regard to laws affecting clients and the range of services available to them.

Workers who are new to the field, but who already hold a health, social or behavioural science-related tertiary qualification, must undertake AOD competencies as part of their induction or training plan.

Professional education and training courses

In February 2012, NCETA (National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction) released the Alcohol and Other Drug VET qualifications and training providers database. It includes details of the providers of alcohol and drug related vocational education qualifications, as at 30 August 2011. It includes publically funded Technical and Further Education Institutes (TAFEs) and industry based and private registered training organisations (RTOs).

Training in Victoria

The following Victorian organisations offer professional education and training courses, such as Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Work, Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, Other Drugs and Mental Health) and competency-based training.

Search their websites for “alcohol and other drugs” for more details about courses offered by each organisation.

• Advance TAFE
• Chisholm Institute
• Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE
• GippsTAFE
  
• Holmesglen
• Navitas
  
• Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE
  
• Odyssey Institute Victoria
• ReGen
• Skills Training Australia
• Swinburne University of Technology
• Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre
• University of Ballarat TAFE
• Victoria University
• Youth Support & Advocacy Service (YSAS)

Visit training.gov.au, the database on Vocational Education and Training in Australia, to search for courses Australia-wide.

Visit the Victorian Government’s "Training and events" page for more information on training, including post-graduate training and professional development.

Continuing professional development

There are many organisations that provide professional development to workers in the alcohol and other drugs field. It’s a good idea to check their websites regularly so that you can take advantage of the training and resources offered.

Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) enhances the AOD workforce throughout Australia through professional development, peer support and mentoring programs, on-site learning, and the development and implementation of best-practice models for intervention.

National Centre for Training on Addiction (NCETA) The workforce development section of the NCETA (National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction) website provides an overview of workforce development, including a glossary, frequently asked questions, publications and information about postgraduate grants.

Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (NADA) has a wide selection of resources to help AOD agencies in planning their workforce development strategies.

Odyssey Institute of Studies is a major provider of AOD treatment services through residential and community based programs. They are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) offering Community Services, Certificate IV/Diploma, secondary consultation, training and workshops.

ReGen is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) offering a range of specialised professional development training, which can be tailored to meet specific needs.

training.gov.au sets out competencies, or units of competency, which are skills or knowledge, which workers are expected to be able to apply in order to operate effectively in their work.
To find competencies relevant to the AOD field, go to: Search training.gov.au.

Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and leading provider of education and training services in AOD work in Australia.

VACCHO Education & Training Unit in a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Courses.

YSAS Education and Training Service is a Registered Training Authority (RTO), which forms the training, research and consultancy arm of Youth Support & Advocacy Service (YSAS).

Keeping up-to-date with what's happening in the alcohol and other drug sector

Subscribing to e-lists, newsletters and and podcasts is a great way to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the alcohol and other drug sector. With regular updates delivered to your email inbox, you will always know the latest on the topics everyone is talking about. Seminars and events are a great opportunity for networking with other people working in your area.

Here are some of our favourites, just to get you started:

Last updated: 15 May 2013