Chisholm Institute has been confirmed by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) as a higher education provider.

The registration, which is only granted after a lengthy process of consultation, audit and development, means that Chisholm can now develop and offer Bachelor degree qualifications.

“This is indeed a monumental day in Chisholm's evolution as a quality provider,” said Chisholm CEO Maria Peters, “It will enable the Institute to provide pathways, further build its reputation in areas of specialisation and play a role in the new tertiary landscape.”

Simultaneous with the confirmation of the Institute’s new status as a higher education provider came the news that Chisholm’s first degree qualification – the Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs – had been accredited. 

The Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs is a unique qualification that has been developed by Chisholm to meet the growing demand for people with the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to work across the spectrum of community-based mental health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) treatment services.

The Degree is the first dedicated undergraduate qualification in Australia to provide specialist teaching across mental health and AOD disciplines in the community health sector. It will be officially launched by mental health expert, advocate and Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry at a special community education conference in Frankston in October.

A number of other degree qualifications are in development and will be submitted to the VRQA for approval soon.

The higher qualifications are designed to be part of Chisholm’s already extensive series of Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.