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.
Why study mental health nursing with SCU Online?
- Advance your career
Pathway to becoming a credentialed Mental Health Nurse - Accredited by the ACMHN
Certified by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses - Leading in nursing education
#3 in Australia for teaching quality and overall educational experience
Key facts
11th May, 2026
6th July, 2026
31st August, 2026
26th October, 2026
What you will study
To earn 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.
Contact the university of visit its website for more information.
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
To give you an idea of some of the roles SCU mental health nursing students currently work in, see below for a snapshot.
- 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
Fee per unit in 2026: $2,875 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Total course fee in 2026: $23,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The number of units you must complete to graduate depends on the course and if you receive advanced standing. This, in turn, will effect how much your Southern Cross University Online course fees will cost you.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- 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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
