Victorian alcohol and other drugs capability framework

The AOD Workforce Capability Framework sets out the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively in the Victorian AOD sector. It highlights the specialist practice that the AOD workforce delivers.

This framework is for:

• workers to understand the expectations and plan their professional development
• service leaders to design services and recruitment processes
• education and training providers to develop curricula
• the government to undertake policy development and planning.

The framework provides a common language that can be used across the AOD sector. It groups capabilities in five distinct, yet interconnected areas:

• Foundation: this describes the foundational skills and knowledge needed to work with people seeking support. All other capabilities are built on this.
• Populations: work with the specific needs of identified populations.
• Frameworks: groups relevant skills and knowledge related to therapeutic practice frameworks.
• Practice: identifies the specialised skills and knowledge in AOD practice.
• Self: capabilities related to individual professional practices that interact with care provision.

The framework puts harm reduction at the centre of practice. This means every member of the AOD workforce is responsible for reducing harm. However, the framework recognises that people working in specialist harm reduction services are a distinct workforce and does not cover all their skills and knowledge.

This framework also views designated lived and living experience roles as a distinct discipline and does not cover their specific capabilities in detail.

More to come

• Implementation resources and activities will be planned with the AOD sector.
• AOD practitioners are encouraged to join Elevate! to access opportunities for capability development.

The framework will support the implementation of the Victorian AOD Strategy 2025-2035.