Family-Inclusive Practice training for the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs Workforce
Program Description: Working with people impacted by alcohol and other drugs and often means navigating complex and changing circumstances. Research and practice experience demonstrate that outcomes for individuals can be enhanced when families and supporters are included in the therapeutic journey.
Purpose: This program is designed to support the AOD workforce alignment with the Department of Health’s AOD strategy and broader Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Capability Framework.
The program will give you the opportunity to:
- Strengthen your family-inclusive practice skills
- Build confidence in engaging families
- Enhance your ability to motivate and support practice change
- Develop practical strategies that can be applied immediately in your service
- Learn alongside experienced practitioners from across the Victorian AOD sector
- Become a champion for family-inclusive practice within your organisation
Cost: This training is no-cost to practitioners, as places are funded by the Department of Health, Victoria
Workshop Dates
| Metro Workshop |
Dates |
Location |
| Workshop 1 |
19th Aug |
Metro |
| 20th Aug |
Metro |
| Workshop 2 |
2nd Sep |
Metro |
| 8th Sep |
Metro |
| Workshop 3 |
13th Oct |
Metro |
| 14th Oct |
Metro |
| Workshop 4 |
21st Oct |
Metro |
| 28th Oct |
Metro |
| Workshop 5 |
25th Nov |
Metro |
| 26th Nov |
Metro |
| Regional Workshop |
Dates |
Location |
| Workshop 1 |
26th Aug |
Regional |
| 27th Aug |
Regional |
| Workshop 2 |
23rd Sep |
Regional |
| 24th Sep |
Regional |
| Workshop 3 |
6th Oct |
Regional |
| 7th Oct |
Regional |
| Workshop 4 |
10th Nov |
Regional |
| 11th Nov |
Regional |
| Workshop 5 |
1st Dec and 2nd Dec |
Regional |
| Online Workshop |
Dates |
Location |
| Workshop 1 |
1st Dec |
Online |
| 2nd Dec |
Online |
Training Locations: See the website for dates, locations and expression of interest for regional workshops
Learn more and register here
We are at capacity and are no longer accepting registrations.
CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drug treatment plans (2 February 2026 – 27 March 2026)
Turning Point (RTO 6948) has been contracted by the Department of Health (DH) Victoria to provide competency learning and assessment opportunities to the Victorian AOD workforce.
Eligibility: To enrol in a unit of competency you must work in a publicly funded organisation in the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector and be an Australian Citizen/Permanent Residence or New Zealand Citizen.
Cost: There is no cost to complete this unit of competency if you meet the selection criteria.
Details
This is only for the unit of competency CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual alcohol and other drug treatment plans
Delivery: Online and virtual classes.
Online learning and assessment will commence 2 February 2026 and will conclude 27 March 2026.
In addition, you must be available to attend the following online virtual classes:
- Wednesday 11 February 2026, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 25 February 2026, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 4 March 2026, 9.30 – 1:00PM
Application process:
This is an expression of interest only and not an enrolment. You must be available to attend all virtual classes advertised.
If we can offer you a place, you will receive an email notification and must confirm your acceptance by the specified deadline, as places are limited and demand is high.
Enrolment to Elevate and submitting your registration does not guarantee enrolment into the unit of competency.
Contact Student Administration – tp@turningpoint.org.au if you have any questions.
ENROLMENTS HAVE CLOSED
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues (6 October 2025 – 5 December 2025)
Turning Point (RTO 6948) has been contracted by the Department of Health (DH) Victoria to provide competency learning and assessment opportunities to the Victorian AOD workforce.
Eligibility: To enrol in a unit of competency you must work in a publicly funded organisation in the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector and be an Australian Citizen/Permanent Residence or New Zealand Citizen.
Cost: There is no cost to complete this unit of competency if you meet the selection criteria.
Details
This is only for the unit of competency CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drug issues
Delivery: Online and virtual classes. You must be available to attend the following:
- Wednesday 15 October 2025, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 22 October 2025, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 5 November 2025, 9.30 – 1:00PM
- In addition to the above, you must also be available for 1 hour between 9:00AM – 4:00PM to complete a live simulation between Monday 27 Oct – Thursday 30 Oct (allocated day and time will be arranged with your trainer and assessor
Application process:
This is an expression of interest only. Apply using the registration link below. You will be notified via email if you have been successful in securing a place and you will be required to accept your offer by a due date.
Enrolment to Elevate and submitting your registration does not guarantee enrolment into the unit of competency.
Contact Student Administration – tp@turningpoint.org.au if you have any questions.
Registrations have closed. Check if you’ve enrolled correctly under ‘My Courses’
Description:
This training aims to support AOD workers to engage and include families when supporting clients. Single Session Family Consultation (SSFC) offers timely, accessible support to all family members while retaining a strong therapeutic relationship. In keeping with single session thinking, it enables workers to make the most of each encounter with families.
**Please ensure you can commit to the package below before enrolling.
Training package:
- Pre-requisite: Participants must complete a self-paced learning before attending the online training session. You will have approximately 6 weeks prior to the online training session to complete this at your own time (generally takes about 3 hours).
- In-person training session: Thursday 2 October 2025, 9:30AM – 1:30PM @ The Bouverie Centre 8 Gardiner Street, Brunswick VIC 3056
- Optional online consultation: Thursday 30 October 2025 – Participants will have the opportunity to attend an optional 1.5 hours online consultation 4 weeks after the training. This would take the form of a facilitated group supervision to explore your experience in applying SSFC in your practice.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of SSFC, you will be able to:
- Understand the Single Session Thinking and Family Consultation frameworks that underpin SSFC
- Convene, conduct and undertake follow-up as part of SSFC
- Address challenging situations in sessions with families
- Identify how you can incorporate SSFC into your practice
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service including peer workers.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers from other sectors (i.e. homelessness, mental health) and workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend.
Email elevate@vaada.org.au at least 24 hours before the training to cancel you registration.
*To enrol, change ‘Enrol Now’ to ‘I’m Going’. Check if you’ve enrolled correctly under ‘My Courses’
Description:
This training aims to support AOD workers to engage and include families when supporting clients. Single Session Family Consultation (SSFC) offers timely, accessible support to all family members while retaining a strong therapeutic relationship. In keeping with single session thinking, it enables workers to make the most of each encounter with families.
**Please ensure you can commit to the package below before enrolling.
Training package:
- Pre-requisite: Participants must complete a self-paced learning before attending the online training session. You will have approximately 6 weeks prior to the online training session to complete this at your own time (generally takes about 3 hours).
- Online training session: Wednesday 20 August 2025 @ 9:30AM – 1:30PM
- Optional online consultation: Thursday 25 September 2025 @ 10:30AM – 12:00PM – Participants will have the opportunity to attend an optional online consultation 6 weeks after the training. This would take the form of a facilitated group supervision to explore your experience in applying SSFC in your practice.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of SSFC, you will be able to:
- Understand the Single Session Thinking and Family Consultation frameworks that underpin SSFC
- Convene, conduct and undertake follow-up as part of SSFC
- Address challenging situations in sessions with families
- Identify how you can incorporate SSFC into your practice
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service including peer workers.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers from other sectors (i.e. homelessness, mental health) and workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend.
Email elevate@vaada.org.au at least 24 hours before the training to cancel you registration.
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
Course Dates: 21 September 2026 – 20 November 2026 (see dates below)
Delivery: Blended delivery: Online and virtual classes
Turning Point (RTO 6948) provides Vocational Education and Training (VET) opportunities to the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) workforce.
Turning Point staff conducting the AOD competencies meet the training and assessment requirements as outlined in the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). This training is targeted at new employees to the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector, currently employed in DH funded AOD Services.
Training Description:
- This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct assessments of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) clients to determine treatment planning and referral needs.
- This includes knowledge of factors affecting assessment for a range of different client groups including cultural background, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, and whether treatment is voluntary or mandated.
- This unit applies to people involved in the assessment of clients with AOD issues using established organisation or standardised AOD assessment tools. For this training we will be using Victoria Department of Health Intake and AOD Comprehensive Assessment documents.
Blended delivery: Online and virtual classes
Training and assessment components are delivered in an online learning environment. Student resources essential for your learning will be available via the Learning Management System.
This unit of competency is assessed, and you will be required to complete assessment tasks.
You must be available to attend the following virtual classes 9:30am – 1:00pm:
•Wednesday 30 September 2026
•Wednesday 7 October 2026
•Wednesday 21 October 2026
In addition to the above virtual classes, you must also be available for 1 hour between 9:00am – 4:00pm to complete a live simulation. Allocated day and time will be arranged with your trainer and assessor.
Expression of Interest (EOI) only: Applicants must be currently employed in Victorian DH funded services in an AOD role to be eligible to apply for this training. This is an expression of interest only, you must be available to attend all mandatory virtual classes advertised and meet the selection criteria below.
Selection Criteria: To enrol in a unit of competency you must work in a publicly funded organisation in the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector and be an Australian Citizen/Permanent Residence or New Zealand Citizen. There is no cost to complete this unit of competency if you meet the selection criteria. You will be notified via email if you have been successful in securing a place and you will be required to accept your offer by a due date, as demand is high and there are limited places.
To register your EOI, please click here
