Addiction education pathways tool

Training and qualifications aren’t always needed to start working as a Support Worker, but you will most likely need to gain this while working, with the support of your employer to ensure you gain the appropriate qualification for pay equity purposes. The NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services, NZQA Level 4) is the preferred qualification, particularly with the Mental Health and Addiction Support strand.

Addiction Support Workers may apply for endorsement from dapaanz (the professional association for people working in addiction treatment). To qualify you must be under the supervision of a dapaanz accredited supervisor.

The education providers listed below offer the NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services, NZQA Level 4) with the Mental Health and Addiction Support strand For the most up to date list of education providers please visit the NZQA website.

Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd
Christchurch

Eastern Institute of Technology Ltd
Hawke's Bay

Future Skills Academy Ltd
Manukau, Royal Oak

Kalandra Education Group Ltd
Online

Manukau Institute of Technology Ltd
Manukau

North Tec Te Taitokerau Wānanga
Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Whangarei

Otago Polytechnic Ltd
Dunedin or Rotorua

Southern Institute of Technology Ltd
Invercargill or Queenstown

The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand Ltd
Online

Unitec New Zealand Ltd
Auckland

Waikato Institute of Technology Ltd
Hamilton City Campus, Online delivery, Ōtorohanga or Thames

Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki Ltd
New Plymouth

Whitireia Community Polytechnic Ltd
Porirua

Careerforce
Workplace based apprenticeship with online learning and support from advisors

Massey
Wellington

The scholarship and funding programmes listed below can assist people to access free or subsidised qualifications:

• Te Rau Ora Scholarships
• Le Va’s Futures that Work programme
• The Targeted Training and Apprenticeship fund
• Funding Information Service –is a not-for-profit organisation which collects and distributes information about funding databases including funding for individuals. There’s a subscription fee to access this information, alternatively you access this database at a public library.

Training and qualifications aren’t always needed to start working as a Peer Support Worker, but you may need to gain some while working, with the support of your employer. The NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services,NZQA Level 4)is the preferred qualification, particularly with the Peer Support strand. Other training available is listed below.


In preparation for peer training or being employed in a Peer Support role, it can be useful to have completed a workshop on wellness and recovery plans, such as WRAP: Wellness Recovery Action Plan.

Addiction Peer Support Workers may apply for endorsement from dapaanz (the professional association for people working in addiction treatment). In order to qualify you must be under the supervision of a dapaanz accredited supervisor.

Most employers require Addiction Practitioners to have, or be working towards, a professional registration. Addiction Practitioners may apply for registration with dapaanz (the professional association for people working in addiction treatment).

People with other relevant registrations, such as Social Workers, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and Counsellors are also sometimes employed into Addiction Practitioner roles.

The training and education providers listed below offer appropriate courses related to peer support.

Careerforce
NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (strand in Peer Support)
Workplace based apprenticeship with online learning and support from advisors

Intentional Peer Support Aotearoa NZ
Intentional Peer Support Core Training, Intentional Peer Support Advanced Training, Intentional Peer Support Train-the-Trainer
A network of trainers provide training wherever arranged

Whiteria/ Kites Trust
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Peer Support)
Online

Ember: Korowai Takitini 
Peer Employment Training 
Manukau

R.I. International 
Peer Employment Training 
Employees based in Counties Manukau

The scholarship and funding programmes listed below can assist people to access free or subsidised qualifications:

• Te Rau Ora Scholarships
• Le Va’s Futures that Work programme
• The Targeted Training and Apprenticeship fund
• Funding Information Service –is a not-for-profit organisation which collects and distributes information about funding databases including funding for individuals. There’s a subscription fee to access this information, alternatively you access this database at a public library.

Addiction Qualifications - Applied:

University of Auckland
*Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Sciences in Alcohol and Drug Studies
Grafton, Auckland

WinTec
Paetahi Tumu Korero Bachelor of Counselling
Hamilton (also in Nelson)

WinTec
Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Social Practice (with endorsement in Mental Health and Addiction)
Hamilton, Nelson and Tauranga

Moana House Training Institute
Te Taketake Diploma in Addiction Counselling
Dunedin and Rotorua

WelTec
*Bachelor of Counselling and Addiction Practice
Porirua, Wellington

National Addiction Centre
Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Sciences in Addiction and Co-existing Disorders
Distance Learning, based in Christchurch

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
Paetahi Tumu Kōrero Bachelor of Counselling - Level 7
Nelson

The scholarship and funding programmes listed below can assist people to access free or subsidised qualifications:

• Te Rau Ora Scholarships
• Te Pou Skills Matter programmes
• Le Va’s Futures that Work programme
• The Targeted Training and Apprenticeship fund
  Funding Information Service –is a not-for-profit organisation which collects and distributes information about funding databases including funding for individuals. There’s a subscription fee to access this information, alternatively you access this database at a public library.