University of Melbourne
Graduate Certificate in Youth Mental Health
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
It gives you access to expert knowledge and the latest theory, research and evidence-based approaches in this specialised and rapidly evolving area of mental health.
Course overview
Developed in close consultation with Orygen, a global leader of research in the field, the Graduate Certificate in Youth Mental Health course covers major theoretical frameworks and examines the ways in which the transition to adulthood can present vulnerabilities to mental illness. You will learn tailored engagement, assessment and intervention approaches and enhance your existing abilities when working with young people in a therapeutic or clinical context.
The course is valuable for healthcare professionals working in a range of clinical and community settings. You will learn alongside a diverse group of peers while gaining insights relevant to your practice. Delivered online, this one-year, part-time course provides the flexibility and support needed for busy professionals to fit study around existing work commitments.
Who is this course for?
This course suits health professionals and teachers working across a range of community and clinical settings, looking to enhance or focus their skills and capacity to creatively work with young people. It's of particular relevance to:
- Psychiatrists
- General Practitioners
- Psychologists
- Nurses
- Occupational Therapists
- Social Workers
- Youth Workers
- Teachers
Course aims
Orygen estimates that one million young Australians experience mental ill-health and there is a high demand for skilled practitioners to meet this need. This course is designed to strengthen the mental health workforce nationally and internationally. As a graduate, you will be well-placed to pursue career and leadership opportunities in the field and be able to make a real difference to the lives and outcomes of young people.
Key facts
July, 2026
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Youth Mental Health, students must complete four subjects or 50 credit points. Each subject is worth 12.5 credit points.
Core subjects
Students must complete all of the following subjects:
- Foundations of Youth Mental Health
- Engaging and Assessing Young People
- Development in Young People
- Mental Ill-Health in Young People 1
Entry requirements
To be considered for entry into this course, you must have one of the following:
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
- An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any discipline and at least two years of documented relevant professional work experience.
- At least six years of documented relevant professional work experience, including clear evidence of career development, professional writing and professional achievement or practice comparable to that expected of undergraduate degree holders in cognate disciplines.
Disciplines relevant to this course include health science, social work, psychology, medicine, teaching, education, nursing and occupational therapy.
English language requirements
All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in several ways, including a recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:
- IELTS (Academic) – 6.5, with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL – 79+, with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13
- Pearson – 64+, with no communicative skill below 60
- Cambridge – 176+, with no skill less than 169
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).
If you have completed the Graduate Certificate in Managing Youth Self-Harm and Suicide or the Professional Certificate in Youth Psychiatry or the EPPIC National Support Program (ENSP) offered by Orygen within four years before course commencement, you may be granted advanced standing for the following subjects:
- Foundations of Youth Mental Health
- Engaging and Assessing Young People.
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
As a student of the Graduate Certificate in Youth Mental Health, you will:
- Understand major theories relevant to youth mental health.
- Learn best-practice ways of engaging and assessing young people.
- Examine major non-psychotic disorders and interventions.
Career outcomes
This course is suitable for health professionals working across community and clinical settings. Whether you are a psychiatrist, general practitioner, psychologist, nurse, occupational therapist, social worker or youth worker, it will help you understand the latest developments and evidence-based approaches in youth mental health.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative first-year and total course fee in 2026: $12,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Unless otherwise noted, the indicative total course fee shown above assumes a study load of 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) commencing semester one of the listed year, except for courses with a duration of less than 1 EFTSL.
Fees are subject to annual review by the University, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of subjects studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of subjects.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students.
