Overview (2027)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 1 Year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Location
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
Addiction and addictive behaviours manifest in various forms, from substance use involving drugs, medications, alcohol and nicotine to addiction in other areas of life, such as internet use, gambling, gaming, hoarding and many others. These behaviours can have devastating effects on the psychological and physical health of individuals, and on families, friends and communities.
In Australia, the prevalence of mental health issues and disorders is significant, and there is a direct correlation between mental health and substance use. This underscores the urgent need for skilled health professionals who can provide evidence-informed assessment, care and support
In this fully online course you will work with both health and non-health professionals to improve your understanding of dependency and contribute to providing effective care and guidance to help those experiencing addiction.
Your studies will cover the principles underlying addiction and the mechanisms and interventions for substance use and withdrawal. You will consider the identification of co-occurring conditions, and the rationale for undertaking biopsychosocial clinical assessments for clients. You will also consider the array of treatments available in this area from pharmacotherapies to psychological interventions.
Throughout the course, you will learn about policy and strategies which direct service delivery and client management processes and gain an understanding of current legislative requirements in this area.
Health partner scholarships
To help you advance your career, generous scholarships are available to employees of our valued industry partners. Search for your employer, speak to your workplace, or contact us on 13 8827 to find out more.
- 1 Synthesise advanced theoretical and technical knowledge to inform the provision of care in relation to addiction.
- 2 Critically analyse social ecological factors determining experiences of addiction to help guide evidence-informed solutions.
- 3 Evaluate strategies used to optimise health outcomes in addiction using evidence informed independent judgement.
- 4 Communicate specialist knowledge and information to a range of audiences.
As you progress through the course, you will gather evidence and content to produce a professional portfolio of learning.
This course welcomes students from across the health professions, providing a unique opportunity to study alongside students working in a range of healthcare roles and settings. This interdisciplinary learning prepares you well for working within this specialty area of practice.
Career outcomes
The costs of addiction are vast, both on the person and our society. The latest report from the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare estimates that the social costs of tobacco use alone in Australia to be $136.9 billion. The personal cost is also high, with addiction destroying lives, affecting families, and impacting communities.
When you complete this course, you will be better equipped to provide effective and appropriate care for those experiencing dependencies, directly helping to reduce the costs of addiction for the person and society.
If you are a health professional and work with individuals experiencing dependency, the knowledge and skills you gain can help you upskill and specialise in your current role. It is also great for those looking to move into the addiction care field, in particular registered nurses and social workers.
For non-heath professionals such as police officers, this course will help you improve your effectiveness in responding to situations that involve people experiencing addiction, as well as supporting those they interact with and the communities in which they live.
Course structure
Students are required to complete four (4) core addiction studies units for a total of 50 credit points, as listed.
This unit examines the complex needs of the person requiring Addiction Services. You will explore epidemiological and aetiological models relating to substance use and identify principles of dependence within a range of maladaptive behaviours. In addition, you will extend your…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 |  |  |  | |
- Key:
On-campus- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In this unit you will develop the evidence-based assessment and planning skills required in your work with clients experiencing addictive disorders, primarily relating to alcohol and other drug use. This includes clinical assessment of co-occurring disorders in a public health…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for CNA548 Assessment and Management of Addictive Disorders
In this unit, you will further develop your knowledge and skills in the delivery of alcohol and other drug interventions. This unit will focus on current contemporary treatment approaches, including psychosocial interventions, pharmacological treatments, and specialist programs such as substitution…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In this unit, you will be introduced to psychological therapies used in the management of mental health problems and treatment of addiction, either as stand-alone interventions or in combination with pharmacological interventions. You will have the opportunity to explore factors…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for CNA739 Psychological Therapies in Mental Health Care
Entry requirements
Students should be working in a health care setting (including but not limited to a hospital, health clinic, aged care setting, department of community services) to be in a strong position to succeed.
Applicants must have completed an AQF 7 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree qualification in a health-related discipline, or in social work, psychology, social sciences, or police studies.
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies is a specialisation which has an articulation pathway for registered nurses to the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing (Addiction Studies) through to the Master of Advanced Nursing (Addiction Studies).
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $2,368
How is this calculated?
This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average part-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.
These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.
HECS-HELP loans
You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.
Domestic scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Course year 2027
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