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

Upcoming Training and Workforce Development Opportunities

Emerging  Minds - Introducing an early intervention approach to working with families and children
Thursday 16th August, 2pm - 4:30pm
WAPHA Office
Room 6 & 7, Level 2
7 Tanunda Drive
Rivervale

Please RSVP to Claire Marsh at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (08) 8367 0888. Register now for this Emerging Minds event.

AODtraining@MHC - AOD Recovery – What Does It Mean For Clients, Workers And Services?

ST325 AOD recovery – What does it mean for clients, workers and services?
Presented by Workforce Development, Mental Health Commission
Wednesday 29 August 2018
9am – 4.30pm

Target audience: Human service providers wofyirking with clients who use AOD.

Recovery in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector has traditionally meant achieving abstinence or harm reduction through controlled use. More recently however, recovery has come to be associated with a holistic approach that considers the issues of choice and quality in all aspects of a person’s life.

For more information and to apply, please visit AODtraining@MHC. If you have any queries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Application deadline: Wednesday 8 August 2018

2018 Sir Wallace Kyle Oration by Professor Fiona Stanley

The McCusker Centre for Citizenship at The University of Western Australia, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Perth present:

2018 Sir Wallace Kyle Oration
By Professor Fiona Stanley AC FAA FASSA FAAHMS
Wednesday, 22 August 2018
6pm - 7pm
University Club Auditorium, Hackett Drive, Crawley

Professor Stanley's oration will highlight the leadership and  contribution individual citizens can make to build a more equal and just world, with reference to her distinguished career. This is a free public event. Register now for the Sir Wallace Kyle Oration.

ConnectGroups - LGBTI+ Peer Support Guide Launch Event
Wednesday 22 August 2018
9.30am - 12.00pm
Bendat Parent and Community Centre, 36 Dodd Street, Wembley WA
Register online.

For further information, please contact (08) 9364 6909 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SAFE in OZ: An Introduction To Working With Individuals Who Have Self-Destructive Behaviours
A 2-day workshop in partnership with Mental Illness Fellowship of Western Australia (MIFWA).

13 - 14 September 2018
Day 1 - 9.15am - 4.30pm, Day 2 - 9.00am - 4.30pm
MIFWA, Level 3, 9 The Avenue, Midland
Cost: $440.00

SAFE in Oz aim to give workshop participants an insight into the headspace of a person who participates in self-destructive behaviour/s in order to better understand their ‘real’ world and life experiences. The training encapsulates individuals needs throughout their lifespan and is flexible and responsive to the workshop participants.

If you require any further information please contact Annie Slocombe, Director SAFE in Oz on 03 5176 2616 or visit www.safeinoz.com.au.

William Street Family Therapy - Working With Families, Mental Health and AOD Issues

Working with families where mental illness and or drug and alcohol abuse are core issues
Rosemary Watkins
Saturday 29 September 2018
Conference Room (upstairs) 544 William Street MOUNT LAWLEY (Cnr Chelmsford Rd).
Lunch, tea and coffee provided.

Fees: $275 (includes GST) / $242 (if paid before Friday 31 August 2018 - includes GST)

Some knowledge of systems theory is desirable but not essential. For more information, please contact William Street Family Therapy Centre on (08) 9227 8038
or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA) - DFV Discussion with
Dr Carol Kaplanian - Forced Marriage and Honour-based Violence
Dr Lorraine Sheridan - Domestic & Family Violence and Stalking

Thursday 27 September 2018
8.45am - 12.30pm
Conference Room 7, City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi St, West Perth
Cost: $25.00

RSVP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 13 September 2018.

Women in prison and Einstein’s definition of madness: doing what doesn’t work – over and over and over...
With Keynote Speakers Professor Patricia Easteal, Dr. Hannah McGlade, and Ms. Robyn Westgate

Thursday 27 September 2018
9:00am – 4:30pm
The University Club of Western Australia, Hackett Drive, Crawley WA 6009
Tickets from $74.94.- at Eventbrite.

A limited number of scholarship positions is available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to apply.

AODtraining@MHC - AOD Skills Foundation

ST334 AOD skills foundation
Monday 8 - Tuesday 9 October 2018
9am – 4.30pm

Learn how to maximise the impact of your interventions when you only have a limited period of time with clients who may be using alcohol and other drugs (AOD).
Target audience: Human service providers whose role supports brief AOD interventions.

For more information and to apply, please visit AODtraining@MHC. If you have any queries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Application deadline: Monday 17 September 2018

AODtraining@MHC - AOD Skills – Beyond Brief Interventions

ST333 AOD skills – Beyond brief interventions
Wednesday 10 - Thursday 12 October 2018
9am – 4.30pm

Learn how to strengthen your therapeutic skills when working with clients around their alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) use.

Please note: If you have completed “ST284 Introduction to Motivational Interviewing” or “ST284 Part 1” in the last two years, you may choose not to attend Day 1.

Target audience: Human service providers in a counselling role who are new to working with clients who use AOD

For more information and to apply, please visit AODtraining@MHC. If you have any queries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Application deadline: Wednesday 19 September 2018

Systemic Consultation Centre - Extending Systemic and Family Therapy Practice

8 week course, run over 8 Thursday mornings, 11 October - 29 November 2018
9.00am to 12.30pm
Systemic Consultation Centre, 2/141 Stirling Highway, Nedlands
Fees: $850.00 incl. GST

This course aims to enhance both systemic conceptual and technical skills along with skills that assist clinicians in monitoring the relationships they develop with families. It is designed for practitioners who have undertaken introductory training in systemic and family therapy and are wanting to enhance and consolidate their knowledge and therapeutic skills. It is also designed for practitioners who may want a refresher of their practice.

For further information, please contact Roxanne Garven on 0423 165 971 or email: 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.