University of Wollongong
Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Become a leader in health and develop specialised knowledge, expanding your critical thinking skills.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing is led by a team of renowned experts who have a PhD or higher in this field. The teaching focuses on evidence-based practice and reflects developments in mental health service delivery locally, nationally and internationally.
Ideal for Registered and Enrolled Nurses and health professionals working in various health-related roles, this course equips you with practical mental health nursing skills and expert knowledge. It allows you to remain competitive and progress your career in various senior clinical roles.
Throughout the graduate certificate, you will study specialist mental health subjects, including (but not limited to):
- Suicidality – a new subject which explores current trends in suicide prevention, mitigation and research.
- Psychoactive substances and mental health – exploring effective communication and therapeutic relationship techniques with individuals experiencing psychoactive substance-use disorders.
In addition, the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing addresses the priorities established in the National Mental Health Plan while developing universal skills alongside specialist knowledge, including critical analysis, writing and presentation skills—all of which practically impact every role in the medical field.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
27th July, 2026
What you will study
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing requires the successful completion of 24 credit points of subjects as specified below. Each subject is worth six credit points.
Core
Complete this core subject:
- Essential Skills for Health Researchers
Mental Health
Complete this Mental Health subject:
- Suicidality
Entry requirements
Applicants must have:
- A bachelor's degree in nursing of at least three years from a recognised tertiary institution or a qualification to practise as a registered nurse or equivalent.
- At least two years of experience or be employed in a mental health setting.
Admission to UOW is primarily based on your academic qualifications, with work or life experience generally not considered. If you do not meet the educational requirements for this course, we recommend exploring recognised pathway programs, such as those offered by UOW College or the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC).
Please refer to the UOW Admissions Information page or contact the university directly.
English language requirements
All UOW courses are taught in English and require varying levels of proficiency. If English is not your first language, you must meet the University’s English Language Requirements, which differ by course.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.
Credit for prior learning evaluates your study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.
UOW values lifelong learning and recognises various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page on their website.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Students graduating from this course will be able to:
- Critique knowledge and attitudes concerning contemporary Mental Health care.
- Demonstrate clinical reasoning through investigating, analysing, synthesising and communicating information, problems, concepts and theories.
- Analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate theories and concepts for your professional practice.
- Appreciate and apply consumer-led approaches that support fundamental human connection.
Fees and CSP
Total indicative course tuition fee in 2026: From $2,368 up to $2,968 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative session and total course tuition fee in 2026: $15,203 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Session fees are for one session per year, as shown. The total course tuition fees shown are indicative and based on the normal course length and progression.
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.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per subject you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.
