Graduate Diploma in Nursing specialising in Mental Health

What you will study

Complete 48 units comprising:

48 units for Mental Health

Core Courses

Complete 24 units for ALL of the following:

• Theoretical Approaches to Mental Health Practice
• Skills for Recovery Practice in Mental Health

Work Integrated Learning

Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:

• Consolidation of Mental Health Nursing Practice

Electives

Complete exactly 12 units from the following:

• Perspectives in Mental Health Practice
• Perinatal Mental Health for Health Professionals
• Best Practice in Adolescent Mental Health
• Best Practice in Older People's Mental Health

Mental Health

Complete 48 units comprising:

48 units for one Specialisation from Specialisation

• Mental Health

Entry requirements

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate that they fulfil 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.

• Hold registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) with no conditions.
• Be currently working in Mental Health with an employer letter of support confirming a training position within the area of mental health nursing to enable completion of the 240 hours of professional placement in both community and acute mental health contexts.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.

Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.

Credit determinations will be:

• Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
• Academically sound.
• Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.

Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.

Credit will only be granted if it:

• Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
• Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
• Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.

For more information, contact the university or visit its website.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

This unique qualification will give you an in-depth understanding of mental health issues and conditions. You’ll learn to design intervention and evaluation strategies for individuals. We focus on person-centred mental health care for diverse populations across metropolitan, rural and remote settings.

You’ll actively participate in the recognition, assessment and treatment of people with mental health and co-morbid related conditions. You'll develop advanced interviewing and assessment skills and knowledge of support services. Your studies will cover the bio-psychosocial and behavioural sciences, co-morbidities, pharmacology and family support in mental health recovery.

You’ll take core courses, including theoretical approaches and skills for recovery practice. Based on your personal interests and career goals, you can select from a variety of electives focused on adolescents, ageing populations and perinatal settings – or you can explore the sociopolitical context of mental health.

Adelaide University’s mental health nursing degrees are informed by researchers recognised for their work improving the lives of people in mental distress and at risk of suicide. These experts contribute directly to the teaching of our postgraduate programs, which means you’ll be supported by internationally renowned researchers.

This graduate diploma is part of a nested suite of degrees, which means if you decide to exit early, you’ll still gain a Graduate Certificate in Nursing specialising in Mental Health, depending on the number of courses studied.

Career outcomes

As a registered nurse with mental health qualifications, you can broaden your employment prospects across the private and public sectors, including in:

• Acute Inpatient Units
• Residential and Non-Residential Rehabilitation Programs
• Community Health Services.

Fees and CSP

Estimated student contribution amount per 1.0 EFTSL (48 units) in 2026: $4,738 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

Commonwealth-supported students are charged a portion of the cost of their higher education through a student contribution. Where the duration of the program is less than one year, the total cost of the program is displayed.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

A Commonwealth Supported Place is a higher education place where the Australian Government subsidises your fees so that you only pay a portion through a student contribution amount.

The amount of student contribution you’ll pay depends on:

• Number of courses you are enrolled in.
• Unit value of courses.
• Funding cluster your courses fall under.

A HECS-HELP loan allows students to borrow from the Australian Government to cover some or all of their student contribution. To be eligible for HECS-HELP, you must be studying in a Commonwealth Supported Place.