From relationships to wellbeing, mental health shapes how we live. Yet, almost half of all Australian adults — around 7.3 million people — will experience mental health struggles in their lifetime.
When support is lacking, the impacts can be devastating, often resulting in homelessness, loss of work, fractured relationships, and physical health decline.
As more Australians seek support, the shortage of mental health workers is a growing concern. In 2020, around only 62,000 qualified workers were registered nationwide — well below what’s required.
Prepare for a career that matters with hands-on mental health training from Breakthru College.
Breakthru College—proudly part of the Royal Rehab Group—delivers training shaped by the organisation’s real-world leadership in health and disability care.
Our experienced trainers ensure your education combines theory with real-world application. At Breakthru College, we’re committed to helping you create a purposeful career in mental health care.
Breakthru College is proud to be one of the few training providers officially recognised by the Department of Education as a High-Performing Provider.
This acknowledgement highlights our ongoing commitment to quality, support, and job-focused outcomes. Breakthru College is a provider with a proven history of success.
At Breakthru College, we respect that everyone learns differently.
We offer a flexible, learner-centred approach with customised resources and digital support—helping you build confidence and skills for online or on-campus study.
Our team of trainers draw on decades of real-world experience in aged care, disability, and healthcare.
They bring real-world insights, practical examples, and genuine passion to every session. You’ll gain workplace-ready knowledge from trainers who are supportive and committed to your success from day one.
Breakthru College is known for more than qualifications; students value our inclusive and encouraging environment.
We value every student as an individual and create an environment that builds confidence, inspiration, and growth. Many return for further study or refer others—proof of the impact we make.
Mental health support provides a purposeful career for those who want to help others and strengthen the fabric of their communities.
Breakthru College’s nationally recognised courses provide the knowledge and skills to start or advance a career in the mental health sector.
This course provides an introduction to the mental health sector and prepares you for work in settings like residential services, clinical environments, and employment programs.
If you have personal or carer experience with mental health, this course offers a pathway to roles in various support settings including government and community services.
Created by industry experts, this course gives you the tools to effectively support people with lived experiences of trauma.
This course teaches you how to assist those experiencing or at risk of poor mental health. Through Mental Health First Aid, you’ll learn to provide initial support to adults facing mental illness or crisis, much like physical first aid, until professional help is available.
The qualification will support individuals in professions at risk of developing mental illness, enabling workplaces to develop practical, evidence-based action plans until appropriate professional help is received.
Australian residents living in NSW may be eligible to have all or part of their course fees subsidised using the Smart & Skilled State Government funding scheme.
Start with a $200 deposit, then pay as little as $42.89 per week for 12 months.
With our mental health courses, you can work in roles across community organisations, rehab and respite care, and outreach initiatives.
The mental health sector provides a wide range of career options to match your personal goals and interests.
Career opportunities may include:
Online enrolments are now open, and you can register your interest in our online courses from Wallsend.
Course length depends on the qualification you choose. Certificate IV courses typically take between 12 and 24 months, based on whether you study full-time or part-time.
Each qualification leads to valuable roles in mental health, but they are built on distinct foundations. The Certificate IV in Mental Health offers broad-based training to support individuals facing mental health difficulties, while the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work is designed for those with lived experience who wish to assist others through empathy and shared understanding.
Through supervised placements in mental health or care services, you’ll gain hands-on experience that helps bridge the gap between study and employment.
Finishing a course with Breakthru College can open the door to continued study, including diploma or bachelor-level qualifications.
Those with suitable work history can apply for RPL after enrolling, using the application form provided in the Learner Handbook. Each unit assessed through RPL incurs a $250 administration fee.
Yes, as a registered training organisation, Breakthru College provides mental health training online, allowing students to study at their own pace and from any location as an alternative to in-person learning.
Students who meet eligibility requirements can receive subsidised training through Queensland’s Skills Assure or New South Wales’ Smart and Skilled programs. For those not covered, payment options are offered on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis.
If you live in Queensland, you can visit the QLD Government website to check your eligibility.
NSW residents can visit the NSW Government Smart and Skilled page to check eligibility criteria.
Open the door to new career possibilities with a mental health qualification from Breakthru College. Get in touch to find out how we can help you move forward.
