Workforce Development

Workforce development and training opportunities for people working in the alcohol and other drug sector in Western Australia.

Upcoming Training and Workforce Development Opportunities

AODtraining@MHC in Semester 1 2020

The AODtraining@MHC Semester 1 2020 calendar is now available. Events are filling up quickly - register early to avoid disappointment.Places are still available for the following events which are closing shortly:

ST330: Recognising and responding to amphetamine toxicity/intoxication and opioid overdose

12 February 2020
Applications close: 22 January 2020
For further information and registration, visit AODtraining@MHC - Toxicity and Overdose.

ST301: Family inclusive practice
4 and 5 March 2020
Applications close: 12 February 2020
For further information and registration, visit AODtraining@MHC - Family Inclusive Practice.

KA036: Sniffing, huffing and chroming: Responding to volatile substance use
12 March 2020
Applications close: 20 February 2020
For further information and registration, visit AODtraining@MHC - Volatile Substance Use.

For all event details and registrations, visit AODtraining@MHC - www.mhc.wa.gov.au/aodtraining. For enquiries please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (08) 6553 0560.

MHC Strrong Spirit Strong Mind Aboriginal Programs - Certificate III Community Services / CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

The Strong Spirit Strong Mind Aboriginal Programs (SSSMAP) team is offering Aboriginal people the opportunity to enrol in the CHC32015 Certificate III Community Services and the CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs courses run by the Mental Health Commission. These are nationally recognised programs that run over a 12 month period.

If you are supportive of your staff participating in the CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services training, please ensure that both participants and organisations complete the The SSSMAP team are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI). Please download and complete either the:

and return to the SSSMAP team by Monday 6 January 2019.

For more information, please contact the Strong Spirit Strong Mind Aboriginal Programs. Call Sharene Kocsis on (08) 6553 0250 or Wayne Flugge on (08) 6553 0565, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or fax (08) 6553 0400.

Youth Focus - Youth Mental Health Masterclass
Wednesday 19 February 2020
8.30am – 4pm
Deloitte Perth, Brookfield Place, 123/125 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Tickets $375

This full day, interactive event provides an opportunity to hear from clinicians and researchers about the latest evidence, research and best practice for working with young people with mental health concerns.

Presenters include Professor Pat McGorry, University of Melbourne and Orygen; Assoc Professor Matt Coleman, Associate Professor in Rural and Remote Mental Health Practice, Rural Clinical School of WA, and; Helen Nicoll, Orygen.

Places are limited. Book your ticket now at Youth Focus.

Murdoch University - Train the Trainer: Family-based intervention for youth alcohol and other drug use and co-occurring mental health issues in Western Australia

Presenter - Professor Andrew Lewis, Director of Clinical Psychology at Murdoch University and accredited BEST trainer
Thursday 5 - Friday 6 March 2020
Murdoch University South Street campus

Murdoch University is offering free Behaviour Exchange and Systems Therapy (BEST) facilitator training for clinicians across Western Australia.

BEST is an evidence-based, 8-week, multi-family group program for parents and their young persons (12-24yo) with substance use and/or mental health issues. Previously implemented and evaluated in Victoria, BEST was effective in engaging at-risk youth who initially refused services, reducing their substance use, problem behaviours and mental health symptoms, as well as improving family functioning.

Trained facilitators will gain accreditation through a two-day workshop and supervision in implementing the program in your service.

Please register your interest in the free BEST Information Session and morning tea on Tuesday 4 February 2020, 9.30-11.30am, at Murdoch University South Street Campus.

For more information, please download pdf Introduction to the BEST Implementation Project (238 KB) or contact the Murdoch Research Team via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Training and Workforce Development Providers

Anglicare WA - Professional Development Training - draws on more than 40 years’ experience as a leading service provider in the social services sector to develop and deliver quality training and professional development workshops to a range of audiences; from administration and teaching aids, to community service workers and psychologist through to lawyers and corporate groups.
Connecting Up - Online Learning Program - designed to build the capability of the not-for-profit sector and give you the knowledge and skills you need for greater impact. Webinars, online workshops, and other learning opportunities available.
Cracks in the Ice - This online training provides frontline workers, including peer workers, alcohol and other drug workers and clinicians, with information and resources about ice (crystal methamphetamine).
Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health - free training and information.
Evolve Events - Training and Human Development - Along with their training services, they offer a complete event management service.
Holyoake - DRUMBEAT Facilitator Training - Holyoake is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers DRUMBEAT Facilitator Training to community and youth workers.
Karen Hulls - Complex Trauma Training WA - deliver a range of comprehensive training programs for workers and carers who work with children, youth, adults and families who have experienced complex trauma.
Mental Health Commission - AODtraining@MHC - provides a range of knowledge and skills-based training events on alcohol and other drugs and comorbidity. Events are free-of-charge and include induction training for new workers.
Mental Health Commission - E-learning@MHC - online learning programs aimed at professionals employed in the AOD sector and other professional staff working to prevent AOD-related harm.
National Comorbidity Guidelines Online Training - free, online training developed by by The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. Completion will take approximately 10 hours.
Relationships Australia WA - Professional Development - provides training for family and community support professionals to develop specialist relationship counselling, mediation and management skills. Training is provided from basic to advanced professional competency levels.
Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Assault - Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) in Western Australia e-learning package.
Richmond Wellbeing - courses&events - provide specialist, evidence-based training in Recovery-oriented approaches and practice, corporate training courses and a number of community and cultural events within supportive and inclusive environments.
SAFE in Oz - run workshops on working with people impacted by self-destructive behaviours.
SMART Recovery Program Training - SMART Recovery Australia offers training in the SMART Recovery behavioural change and addiction treatment program and how to run a SMART meeting in the community or your organisation.
Sexual Assault and Resource Centre (SARC) - provides quality, evidence based education and training opportunities on issues related to sexual assault and sexual abuse to professional workers, students and volunteers.
Turning Point Connect & Learn Webinars - presented by experienced clinicians from the alcohol and other drug sector.
The Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) - offers a range of courses targeted to meet specific needs of the mental health workforce, enhance the skill development of roles which relate to mental health, and educate the wider community.
William Street Family Therapy Centre - provides family and relationship professionals with high quality hands-on training courses, workshops and supervision.
WISDOM in Your Life – Psychological and Aboriginal ways - provides training for mental health professionals.
Womens Health and Family Services - Training for Health Professionals - WHFS presentations, seminars, workshops and training sessions can be tailored to specific group interests and budgets. In addition WHFS offers a professional supervision and consultancy service for individual, group and organisational issues concerning women and families.

Useful Resources

pdf Comprehensive Alcohol and other Drug Workforce Development in Western Australia - Full Report (2.71 MB) - WANADA
2018 Peer Workforce Report - WA Peer Supporters' Network

WANADA provides information about training and workforce development through our e-newsletter FYI.