Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing

What you will study

Qualification for this award requires completing four core subjects or 40 credit points.

Core subjects

• Contemporary Professional Practice in Mental Health Nursing
• Mental Health Assessment and Application
• Mental Health Nursing Practice 1
• Mental Health Nursing Practice 2

Entry requirements

All applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for entry:

• A registered nurse or registered midwife (currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Nursing and Midwifery), or eligibility for the same.
• One year of full-time equivalent work experience as a registered nurse or registered midwife within the last five years, or current and continuing employment as a registered nurse in a mental health setting.

Applicants seeking admission based on work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning is the recognition of prior learning in terms of experience and/or studies. When you apply for Credit for Prior Learning, the university will assess your prior learning. It may award you Credit for Prior Learning in the program you are currently studying in recognition of what you have achieved. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to many exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:

• Community health
• Hospitals
• Aged care homes
• Private nursing

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $2,369 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally four units) per year.

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

• The number of courses studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of courses.
• 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 the course 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.