Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care

Be equipped to serve as a chaplain or pastoral care worker

From 2026, Eastern College Australia is not taking new applications for this course.

Is your passion to support people in their life and faith? You may be looking for a career change, or to be further equipped for a current role in a church, community group, school or hospital.

Be equipped to provide ongoing ethical, moral and spiritual support to clients using a person-centered approach. You’ll experience personal growth, alongside your professional development, as you look at self-awareness and identity as a foundation to your pastoral and spiritual care. You’ll learn the theory and undertake professionally supervised practice. And with a range of electives you can specialise in the areas you are most passionate about.

Where will this lead me?

Chaplain or pastoral/spiritual care worker in schools, community groups, churches in a paid or volunteer capacity. Work in these roles may also require commissioning from a recognised religious institution.

COURSE Structure

The course has been developed as a one-year full-time equivalent program.
Students must successfully complete nine core units of competency and a minimum of four elective units.
Students are required to complete 100 hours of work placement

CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs
CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support
CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
CHCPAS001 Plan for the provision of pastoral and spiritual care
CHCPAS002 Provide pastoral and spiritual care
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Three electives will be selected from the list below. Electives offered may change without notice.

CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
CHCAGE001 Facilitate the empowerment of older people
CHCCDE003 Work within a community development framework
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
CHCVOL001 Be an effective volunteer
HLTAID003 Provide First aid
MSMSUP106 Work in a team

Entry Requirements

All applicants will be required to meet Eastern’s General Entry Requirements.

There are no formal entry requirements. However, it is recommended prospective students demonstrate ACSF level 3 in learning, reading, writing and oral communication as a minimum. Initial pre-training assessment will be conducted by reviewing the prospective student’s on-line application and/or written application form. Further pre-training assessment shall be conducted during the mandatory face-to-face interview.
Where pre-training assessment suggests ACSF levels are below the recommended level the prospective student may be directed to complete a foundation skills course (at their expense) prior to acceptance into the course.

This course is not open to overseas students to study in Australia.

Eastern College Australia values the history, culture and languages of First Nations people and we welcome their participation in all of our courses.

Fees

For a breakdown on the fees for this course please visit our fees page.

The fees you pay depend upon your eligibility for Skills First subsidised training. Eligibility is determined by considering your level of previously completed study, employment status and whether you self-identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. To determine your eligibility for Skills First and if you are then eligible for the Concession see Skills First.