Southern Cross University
Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 16 months
The ACMHN accredits this 100% online course and provides a pathway to becoming a credentialed Mental Health Nurse.
Course overview
The online Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing will build your understanding of how to respond to people experiencing various mental health challenges effectively. Mental health is a growing issue, so this qualification will help prepare you for multiple roles within public and private nursing and healthcare settings.
You will learn from leading and clinically active mental health nurse academics and access current and clinically relevant, evidence-based coursework through a responsive and interactive learning environment. This course has accreditation under the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN). Upon completion, you can use your new qualification as part of the requirements to become a credentialed mental health nurse.
- Gain immediately implementable skills.
- Online study seamlessly fits into shiftwork
- Dedicated one-on-one support
Key facts
July, 2025
August, 2025
October, 2025
What you will study
To gain the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing, students must complete eight core units.
Core units
Complete the following core units:
- Contemporary Mental Health
- Acute Mental Health
- Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
- Building a Professional Portfolio
- Mental Health Across the Lifespan
- Physical Healthcare in Mental Health
- Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
- Mental Health in Community, Non-government and Primary Health Settings
Entry requirements
To qualify for entry into the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing, all applicants must:
- Be a Registered Nurse (Division 1) and have access to mental health nurse practitioners during their course of study.
- Be proficient in English.
You could also be eligible for the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health if you are not a registered nurse.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Through advanced standing, SCU may recognise and grant credit for past education, qualifications, and/or work experience. If you're eligible for advanced standing, this can impact the number of units you need to study, reducing the time and cost of your overall degree.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Holistic mental health treatment: Gain the skills to be a well-rounded mental health professional with the ability to work in a variety of mental health roles.
- Contemporary mental health focus: Learn from clinically active academics and gain a modern understanding of emerging trends in mental health care.
- Develop an evidence-based practice: Develop skills through evidence-based theories and knowledge that can be applied immediately in practice or a hospital setting.
Career outcomes
Below is a snapshot to give you an idea of some of the roles SCU's mental health nursing students currently play.
- Registered nurse
- Mental health nurse
- Case worker
- Liaison clinician
- Acute mental health nurse
- Nurse coordinator
- Midwife
- Health services manager
- School nurse
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated total fee in 2025: $21,696 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The estimated total fee is calculated based on a study load of eight units.
A student’s annual fee may vary per:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.