Adelaide University
Graduate Certificate in Nursing Specialising in Mental Health
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Acquire specialised skills in modern mental health nursing practice.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Nursing, specialising in Mental Health, is designed for registered nurses who want to expand their expertise in a critical area of healthcare. Delivered online with flexible study options, this program supports you to build new skills while continuing to work in your current role.
You’ll explore the principles of trauma-informed and person-centred care, along with the ethical and professional issues that shape mental health nursing. With a strong focus on evidence-based practice and recovery-oriented approaches, the program equips you to support individuals experiencing a wide range of conditions, from depression and anxiety to psychosis and bipolar disorder.
Led by experienced academics and informed by real-world practice, this certificate provides a strong foundation for career advancement. On graduation, you’ll be prepared to contribute more confidently to acute and community settings and be well-positioned to continue into further postgraduate study.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing specialising in Mental Health, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 24 units, comprising:
Either:
- 24 units from discipline courses
- 24 units for electives
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth six units.
Core courses
- Perspectives in Mental Health Practice (12 units)
- Perinatal Mental Health for Health Professionals (12 units)
- Skills for Recovery Practice in Mental Health (12 units)
- Best Practice in Adolescent Mental Health (12 units)
- Best Practice in Older People's Mental Health (12 units)
Electives
- Primary Health Care (12 units)
- Leadership and Management in Nursing and Midwifery (12 units)
- Prescribing for clinicians
- Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Clinical Practice (12 units)
- Infection Prevention and Control in Practice (12 units)
- Advanced Lactation and Breastfeeding
- Maternal, Child and Family Health (12 units)
- Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Comprehensive Care of the Older Person (12 units)
- Decision-Making for Midwifery and Nursing Practice (12 units)
- Advanced Health Assessment, Diagnostics and Investigations (12 units)
- Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice (12 units)
Entry requirements
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfill any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
- A completed bachelor degree (AQF level 7) or higher from a recognised higher education institution.
- Hold or be eligible to hold registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
The Graduate Certificate in Nursing specialising in Mental Health will prepare you to broaden your role in both public and private healthcare settings. You might work in a mental health inpatient unit, supporting individuals through crisis stabilisation and advocating for those experiencing psychosis. Or you could assist people managing the effects of drug and alcohol use, addressing both physical and psychological symptoms during recovery. Perhaps you’ll join community health services or residential programs, providing person-centred care and promoting mental wellbeing across diverse populations.
Other career opportunities for graduates include roles such as:
- Mental Health Nurse Consultant
- Case Manager
- Clinical Coordinator
- Mental Health Program Facilitator
Fees and CSP
Estimated annual fee in 2026: From $2,369 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 24 units (normally four courses) per semester or year.
Student annual fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate programs.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
