Crisis supporter training

Crisis Supporter Workplace Training is a nationally accredited workplace training program for members of the general public to learn the skills required to become Lifeline Crisis Supporters.

The cost of providing training across the three stages of the CSWT is significant and Lifeline recognises the value of the time commitment volunteers provide to Lifeline and to help seekers, and therefore provides the training at a substantially subsidised cost. The co-contribution fee for undertaking the training is $550 (inclusive of GST). By prior arrangement, a payment schedule may be agreed.

Scholarships are available until June 30, 2026. These scholarships reduce the co-contribution fee from $550 to $170.

Lifeline Ballarat Scholarships are offered to people interested in becoming an accredited Crisis Supporter who:
• Agree to complete the CSWT program (12 months)
• Commit to volunteering for 2 years as an accredited Crisis Support Worker - one shift per week.

If you'd like to be considered for a scholarship, please tick the Scholarship box when filling out the CSWT application form (see next tab).

How do I apply?

There are currently 3 intakes for training 2026: February (full), June (evening) and October (weekend). To be able to apply for the CSWT program, you must attend an Information Session with the Uniting Lifeline Training Team. This is a great opportunity to meet the trainers, learn about the program and have all your training related questions answered!

We are frequently running Information sessions and are looking forward to meeting you! To register for a session please use this link: Lifeline Volunteer Training Information Sessions or the below QR code:

This is the first step in the recruitment journey. Once you have attended an Information Session, you will be provided with the application link, and suitable applicants will be invited to interview.

Hoping to hear from you soon!

About crisis support

Lifeline’s Crisis Supporters provide support to people in Australia who are having difficulty coping and may be at risk of suicide.

At Lifeline Ballarat we have an amazing team of volunteer Crisis Supporters (CSs). We are serious about providing the best training and ongoing support to our CSs. Lifeline Ballarat CSs receive comprehensive initial training, which is supplemented by tailored PD sessions that enable the CSs to consolidate their knowledge and skills, as well as provide opportunities to enhance their practice.

Why do people volunteer to become Crisis Supporters?

To connect with others
To offer hope
To give back to the community
To volunteer locally and have an impact nationally
To make new friends
To develop new skills for personal and professional growth
To join the Lifeline community

To read more about what Lifeline Ballarat volunteers say about being a Crisis Supporter, click here.

Anyone is eligible to apply, provided the following criteria are met:

Must be 18 years or over
Must be willing to undertake a Criminal Record Check prior to acceptance into training, and provide evidence of Working with Children/Working with Vulnerable People Check as required
Must meet Australian residency or visa requirements
Must complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Assessment
Must demonstrate the relevant attributes as outlined in the Crisis Supporter Position Description
Must be willing and able to meet all annual accreditation requirements, including regular shifts, logged in hours, professional development and supervision

Click here to view the Lifeline Crisis Supporter Position Description.

To become a telephone volunteer crisis supporter for Lifeline's 24-hour Crisis Support service - 13 11 14 - you'll need to undertake extensive training, make a commitment to shifts, and meet further selection criteria. This is to ensure you'll be confident, skilled, and able to provide support to Lifeline's callers in their time of emotional distress and crisis. This is a very rewarding volunteer opportunity.

The Crisis Supporter Workplace Training (CSWT) has been created to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to undertake the Crisis Supporter role.

The CSWT training program is divided into three Stages:

Stage 1 Initial Training (blended learning)
Stage 2 Student Placement
Stage 3 Internship

Units of Competency

Training is delivered on behalf of Lifeline Australia RTO 88036 (see our Compliance Manual here), under the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Lifeline Australia contracts Lifeline Centres to deliver nationally recognised training and assessment services in accordance with the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Quality Framework.

By undertaking Lifeline’s Crisis Supporter Workplace Training (CSWT) program, students will not only be trained as a Lifeline Crisis Support Worker, they will obtain a nationally recognised qualification for the CHCSS00113 Crisis Support Skill Set upon completing the required assessments successfully and achieving competency for each of the following units:

CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCCCS028 Provide client-centred support to people in crisis

Annual Accreditation Requirements

To maintain your accreditation as a telephone crisis supporter it's important to remember that you must:

Have a minimum 92 logged in hours on the phone per year
Have a minimum 8 hours of professional development per year
Participate in regular supervision and call coaching
Undergo a Criminal Record Check every two years

Lifeline's 4-stage Crisis Supporter Training Pathway: Initial Training, Student Placement, Internship, and Completion, leading to accreditation as a Crisis Supporter.

Pre-enrolment brochure

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Crisis supporter training