Southern Cross University
Graduate Diploma of Mental Health
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 16 months
This 100% online course includes the latest industry standards and gives you the opportunity to learn from leading and clinically active mental health academics.
Course overview
By completing Southern Cross University’s online Graduate Diploma of Mental Health course, you gain expert knowledge in mental health and psychology, while building the skills needed to confidently respond to patients experiencing mild, moderate and severe mental health challenges.
Developed with the latest industry standards in mind, this program prepares you to work within a range of health settings and disciplines. You will access current and clinically relevant, evidence-based knowledge and learn from leading and clinically active mental health academics from the internationally recognised Faculty of Health.
Why study mental health with SCU Online?
- Excellence in research
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields - Graduate employment success
89% of graduates are employed full-time post their degree - Top 100 Young Universities
Ranked among the top 100 universities in the world that are 50 years old or younger
Key facts
16th March, 2026
11th May, 2026
6th July, 2026
31st August, 2026
26th October, 2026
What you will study
To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Online, students must complete eight core units.
Core units
Complete the following core units:
- Contemporary Mental Health
- Mental Health Across the Lifespan
- Acute Mental Health
- Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
- Building a Professional Portfolio: Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
- Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
- Physical Healthcare in Mental Health
- Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings
Entry requirements
To qualify for entry into the graduate certificate, all applicants must:
- Have successfully completed a minimum of three (3) years Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health, psychology or social science-related discipline.
- Be proficient in English.
If you are a registered nurse, you could also be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing.
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 - Lay the foundation with the skills and knowledge needed to be a well-rounded mental health professional.
- Contemporary mental health focus - Learn from clinically active academics and gain a contemporary understanding of emerging trends in mental health care.
- Develop evidence-based practice - Develop skills through evidence-based theories and knowledge that can be applied immediately in practice or hospital settings.
Career outcomes
SCU students work in a variety of mental health roles across Australia in both public and private healthcare. The study builds your capabilities to provide appropriate mental health care and will set you up to work in a range of community and healthcare settings. Below are some of the roles SCU's mental health master's students work in.
- Social worker
- Child protection officer
- Counsellor
- Occupational therapist (mental health clinician)
- Registered social worker
- Government assessor
- Art therapist
- Case manager
- Mental health worker
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.
