Key Organisations to Contact — NSW These organisations are known to work with mental health students or volunteers, making them strong placement candidates:
One Door Mental Health (NSW-wide) Actively works with students and volunteers including those with lived experience. Their Information & Support Line is run partly by tertiary students. → Website: onedoor.org.au | Contact their volunteer/placement team
Wellways Australia (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD) A leading not-for-profit mental health and disability support organisation with services across NSW and Victoria. → Website: wellways.org
Anglicare Sydney (Greater Sydney, NSW) Offers volunteer and placement roles supporting people with mental health challenges, including phone-based and community support roles. → Website: anglicare.org.au/volunteer
headspace Centres (NSW and VIC — multiple locations) Students are encouraged to contact local headspace Centres directly if they've been advised to organise placement themselves. University/RTO placement coordinators can also reach out to earlycareer@headspace.org.au. headspace → Find local centres: headspace.org.au/find-a-centre
GROW (Community Mental Health) (NSW and VIC) GROW is listed by the Mental Health Coordinating Council as a recommended starting point for students seeking work placement opportunities. Mhcc → Website: grow.org.au
Gidget Foundation Australia (NSW) Focuses on perinatal mental health. Listed by MHCC as a student placement option. → Website: gidgetfoundation.org.au
National Association for Loss & Grief NSW (NALAG) NALAG is specifically listed as offering student work placement opportunities for mental health students. Mhcc → Website: nalag.org.au
Independent Community Living Australia (ICLA) (Sydney) Also listed by MHCC as a volunteer and student placement option in NSW. Mhcc → Website: icla.org.au
Key Organisations to Contact — Victoria
9. Mind Australia (VIC and national) A major community mental health provider. Also coordinates Victoria's Peer Cadet Program. → Website: mindaustralia.org.au
10. EACH (Eastern Access Community Health) (Eastern Melbourne/VIC) Community health organisation with strong mental health services — known to work with placement students. → Website: each.com.au
11. Richmond Fellowship Victoria / Neami National (VIC) Psychosocial disability and mental health recovery services. Good placement candidates. → Website: neaminational.org.au
12. Incolink / Community Mental Health Services (inner/outer Melbourne) Contact through Mental Health Victoria's member directory.
13. GOTAFE (Regional Victoria) GOTAFE notes that due to limited placement providers, placements can be tailored to suit individual requirements such as one day per week for 10 days or in a two-week block. Gotafe Contacting GOTAFE directly about their placement partner network may be useful even if your students aren't enrolled there.
Useful Directories and Job Boards
MHCC Member Directory (NSW) — mhcc.org.au/about/members — browse community managed mental health orgs by location
Mental Health Victoria Member Directory — mhvic.org.au
Go Volunteer — govolunteer.com.au (filter by mental health, NSW or VIC)
Seek Volunteer — volunteer.com.au
NSW Volunteering — makeadifference.volunteering.nsw.gov.au
Practical Tips for Students The MHCC recommends students make a shortlist of member organisations in their local area and contact them directly to ask about volunteering or student placement opportunities. They also suggest that students don't be afraid to apply even if they don't meet all the criteria, and to include in their cover letter that they are keen to complete their qualification. Mhcc Students should also be prepared with:
A current National Police Check
Working With Children Check (mandatory in VIC; required for many NSW placements)
Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination (many mental health services still require this)
A brief cover letter explaining they are completing their Cert IV and seeking 80 hours of placement
Please also find below a templated Email with a ready-to-send subject line and concise body suited for cold outreach to volunteer coordinators and team leaders.
Use for direct email outreach. Aim to find a named contact (coordinator, volunteer manager, team leader) rather than using a generic inbox where possible.
To: [recipient email]
Subject: Work Placement Enquiry — Certificate IV Mental Health Student (80 hours)
Dear [Name / ‘Mental Health Team’],
My name is [STUDENT FULL NAME] and I am currently completing the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health through the Institute of Applied Psychology (IAP), an Australian RTO (RTO #70206). I am reaching out to enquire whether [ORGANISATION NAME] would be able to host me for a 80-hour vocational work placement as part of my qualification requirements. I am genuinely passionate about supporting people experiencing mental illness and am eager to contribute in a meaningful way during my time with your organisation. During placement, I would work under the supervision of one of your staff members and would not displace any paid employees. I can be flexible around timing and scheduling to suit your team’s needs.
A little about me:
[Include 1–2 dot points about your background, experience, or reason for pursuing this field]
Current National Police Check: [Yes / in progress]
Working With Children Check: [Yes / in progress]
COVID-19 vaccinated: [Yes / provide details if relevant]
IAP will provide all placement documentation, student insurance, and ongoing assessor support. A placement coordinator from IAP is also available to speak with your team directly if helpful. I would be very grateful for the chance to speak with you further about this opportunity. Please feel free to reply to this email or call me on [STUDENT PHONE NUMBER] at a time that suits you.
Thank you sincerely for your time and consideration.
[STUDENT FULL NAME] Phone: [Student phone number] Email: [Student email address]
Studying via: Institute of Applied Psychology | RTO #70206 | www.iap.edu.au
Tips for Students: Getting a ‘Yes’
Research the organisation before you reach out — tailor one or two lines to show genuine interest in their specific work.
Try to find a named contact (volunteer coordinator, team leader, or admin manager) rather than sending to a generic inbox.
Follow up with a phone call 5–7 business days after sending if you don’t hear back.
Don’t wait until your police check is finalised — reach out now and note it is ‘in progress’.
Apply to multiple organisations at once — it often takes several attempts before a placement is secured.
Mention any transferable lived experience, paid or volunteer history honestly and professionally.