CHC42315 – Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
CHC42315 – Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
The Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care equips you to provide meaningful pastoral and wellbeing support across schools, churches, and community settings. You will develop essential communication, pastoral care, and foundational counselling skills that enable you to walk alongside people facing personal, emotional, and spiritual challenges.
Grounded in a Christian worldview, this course integrates theology, psychology, and lived human experience. You will be supported to understand the deeper issues that shape people’s stories, while also developing the self-awareness, spiritual maturity, and personal formation required for sustainable, ethical chaplaincy practice.
This nationally recognised qualification is developed to industry standards and responds to the growing demand for trained chaplains and pastoral care workers in both faith-based and community environments. Graduates are prepared to serve confidently in settings such as schools, churches, not-for-profits, community organisations, and wellbeing-focused roles within government and education contexts.
Why study with aifc?
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Flexible full-time and part-time study options, with two enrolment intakes each year
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Biblically grounded training that integrates Christian values with evidence-informed counselling and pastoral practice
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Experienced trainers who invest in your academic progress, personal development, and spiritual formation
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A supportive learning community of like-minded students journeying together
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Practical skill development in communication, micro-counselling, interviewing, and pastoral intervention
- A structured learning environment with set due dates and ongoing trainer support—designed to improve engagement, completion, and real-world readiness
Pathways
Graduates of the CHC42315 Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care may continue into the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling by completing just seven additional units, providing a clear pathway for those wishing to deepen their counselling skills or progress toward professional counselling roles.
Be equipped for life with aifc—growing in community, clarifying your calling, and preparing for meaningful service in chaplaincy and pastoral care.
Is this course right for you?
This course is designed for people who feel called to support others through chaplaincy and pastoral care, and who are seeking practical skills, clear formation, and nationally recognised training to serve well.
This course is likely a good fit if you:
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Feel drawn to supporting people through emotional, spiritual, or life challenges
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Are interested in chaplaincy roles within schools, churches, or community settings
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Want practical pastoral care and communication skills you can apply immediately
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Value Christian formation alongside professional skill development
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Are exploring chaplaincy as a pathway into further counselling or wellbeing roles
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Are seeking structured, supported study rather than self-paced learning
Still unsure?
We encourage you to speak with our team to explore whether this course aligns with your goals, experience, and current season of life.
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Download Our Course and Services Guide
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Book a Course Advisory Session
Contact Us
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
(02) 6242 5111
1300 721 397 (Toll free)
Delivery
The CHC42315 Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care is offered in both full-time and part-time study modes. At aifc,we are intentional about creating a vibrant, engaging, and supportive learning community. Students may complete their training entirely online or enhance their learning through our highly recommended seminar days—held one Friday and Saturday each term—providing a rich blended learning experience.
Our online systems allow you to study from anywhere in the world with a reliable internet connection. Through video conferencing and our learning management platform, you will access live training sessions, receive support from staff, and connect with fellow students to complete your practical assessment tasks effectively and confidently.
Each unit of competency is delivered through live, interactive online training, with recordings available if you cannot attend in real time. In addition, each term includes a live skills-based seminar delivered either online or face to face. Students are required to attend a set percentage of these seminar days, based on their course progression, to develop practical skills and engage with the aifc learning community.
What to expect from seminar days:
- Friday – Student Skills Day: Focused on practical skill development, including hands-on practice, role-plays, observation of unit-related content, and opportunities to complete current practical assessment tasks.
- Saturday – aifc Community Day: Open to current students, alumni, and the wider community. Expert guest speakers and staff deliver sessions and workshops aligned with course content and relevant to ongoing professional development for practising counsellors, chaplains, pastoral care or ministry students. This provides a valuable opportunity to deepen learning and expand ministry and professional capability.
As part of the Certificate IV, students will also complete 100 hours in a pastoral care or chaplaincy placement, putting newly developed skills into practice under supervision.
The qualification can be completed over 12 months (full-time) or 18 months (part-time). Study expectations are approximately 25–30 hours per week full-time or 15 hours per week part-time, inclusive of coursework and placement hours.
Entry Criteria
To enrol in the CHC42315 Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care,
- students must be over 18 years of age
- Students must provide proof of identity (a certified copy of a driver’s licence or passport).
- Students should also begin considering where they intend to complete their placement, as this will be arranged by the student with support from aifc.
All students are required to have a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI) prior to enrolling in any nationally accredited qualification, as mandated by the Australian Government.
aifc is committed to supporting each student’s academic, personal, and spiritual wellbeing throughout their study journey. To ensure the right support is in place from the beginning, students are encouraged to advise aifc at enrolment of any additional needs, including:
- Learning or disability support (e.g., extra time for assessments, assistive technology)
- Cultural or language support
- Pastoral and wellbeing support, available through the aifc Student Services team and the Abound counselling network
Early disclosure enables aifc to implement reasonable adjustments and connect students with appropriate support services, helping you engage confidently and successfully with your studies
Technology and Equipment Requirements
As the course is delivered online and includes recorded workplace-simulated role-plays, students will need access to:
- A computer or laptop with word-processing software (such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs)
- A reliable high-speed internet connection
- A webcam and microphone suitable for online classes and recording assessments
- A quiet, private environment for participating in video sessions and role plays.
Student Support and Wellbeing
At aifc, we believe that learning happens best when students are supported personally, academically, and spiritually. Throughout your study, you’ll have access to a wide range of services designed to help you succeed and flourish
Academic and Study Support
Each student is allocated a qualified trainer and assessor who journeys with them academically and pastorally through each unit of study.
- One-on-one assistance from trainers and assessors is available throughout the course.
- Access to study skills resources, academic writing guidance, and structured feedback.
- Individualised support plans are available for students who need additional academic, learning, or wellbeing support.
- Extensions and reasonable adjustments may be provided where appropriate to ensure equitable participation.
Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
aifc provides a caring, faith-based environment that recognises the whole person.
- Students have access to free counselling sessions through trainee counsellors under supervision, or may choose to access support from Abound counsellors for confidential emotional and wellbeing support.
- Pastoral care is available through the Student Services team and Course Managers.
- Optional group sessions and community-building activities help foster connection and belonging throughout your study.
- Where needed, aifc can assist students in connecting with external support services for specialised care.
Disability, Cultural and Learning Support
If you have a disability, learning difference, or personal circumstances that may affect your studies, we encourage you to let us know early. This enables aifc to provide appropriate reasonable adjustments, develop individualised support plans, and connect you with the right resources to support your success.
Course Units
Total Number of Units: 13
9 CORE UNITS
- 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
4 ELECTIVE UNITS
Locations Offered
Seminars are offered at the following locations twice a year.
Please note that seminars may be held online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
NSW
Stanmore House
53 Harrow Road
Stanmore NSW 2048
VIC
TBC
QLD
Springlife
178 Springwood Road
Springwood QLD 4127
WA
Perth Bible College
1 College Court
Karrinyup WA 6018
2026 Course Fees
The Course fees for the CHC42315 Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care are $5,452.00
Click here to see a detailed breakdown of unit costs.
Payment plans avaible and can be arranged at time of enrolment.
For a full breakdown of payment options, invoicing, and the cooling-off period, please refer to the Course Fees page.
For information regarding refunds, withdrawals, or deferrals, please refer to the Withdraw, Defer or Change Enrolment Process & Procedure.
What should I look for when choosing a provider?
When choosing the Provider for your christian counselling education, it is important to ask yourself
Bible-based
Our courses integrate theology, psychology and spirituality. We train and equip Christian counsellors, rather than Christians who do counselling.
Taught by professionals
Our trainers and assessors are all experienced professionals in their field. High quality teaching, combined with one-on-one access to trainers makes the difference.
Flexible
aifc offers both live online and face-to-face training. You choose which delivery mode is best suited to your lifestyle and work commitments.
Accredited
Our courses include a range of VET accredited qualifications and non-accredited short courses. aifc is also the only Christian counselling provider to be accredited by ACA, CCAA and is a member of ITECA.
Affordable
Finding a course that fits your budget is important. With funding options and Austudy & Abstudy available to eligible students, our courses continue to be affordable and within reach of those seeking to become a qualified counsellor.
Membership to aifc Counsel
An innovative online counselling platform, that offers state-of-the-art counselling features with the opportunity to collaborate with your counselling peers and build a thriving counselling practice.
At aifc, our sole focus is to train and equip Christian Counsellors. More than just a counsellor, a Christian counsellor trusts in God and listens to His still small voice above all else.
It’s a big difference.
Nicholas Marks, CEO aifc
Download the Course and Services Guide
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