Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

Course information for

Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$6756 CSP

Start dates
ACU Term 1, ACU Term 3

Overview

Building on the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, the Graduate Diploma offers units in healthcare ethics, leadership, and a unit interpreting health research. An understanding of evidence-based practice and different research approaches is fundamental to research inquiry and is essential to enable postgraduate students to critically evaluate research literature, and to undertake health inquiry, workplace projects or health research. In addition, the Graduate Diploma offers a specified unit in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, an intervention of choice in contemporary mental health service delivery and is an effective treatment option.

Current mental health postgraduate programs in Australia focus on either acute mental health care settings or generic mental health. ACU’s Master of Mental Health Nursing has been developed specifically for nursing clinicians entering into the specialist area of mental health. The course is targeted to new nursing graduates and to those working in mental health but who have no formal postgraduate mental health qualifications.

In the current period of mental health service provision reform, there has been a shift in focus from acute inpatient treatment to recovery-oriented practice, so the workforce requires professional development opportunities to keep pace with such changes.

Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the course costs section below, under Fees.

Burning Glass data shows there were 1,539 job postings in Australia between July 2021 and June 2022 for Registered Nurses (Mental Health) and of these 10.9% required a postgraduate qualification (Burning Glass Labour Insights, 19 July 2022).

Professional experience

Students entering this course must provide written confirmation that they are employed in a mental health service.

Professional recognition

This course meets the requirements of a postgraduate qualification for employment beyond entry level in mental health settings and for credentialing as a mental health nurse.

Accreditation

This course is currently accredited under the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) National Framework for Postgraduate Mental Health Nursing Education.

Careers

Graduates will be able to apply their theoretical and practical learning in a range of mental health settings.

Examples of potential employment settings include:

  • public and private health care organisations
  • child and adolescent, adult and older person mental health services
  • acute, community, rehabilitation and long term care focused settings
  • local, state and commonwealth government policy
  • consumer and carer groups
  • mental health based research

Examples of potential employment roles include:

  • clinician
  • case manager/worker
  • team leader
  • service manager
  • triage manager
  • psychiatric consultation and liaison nurse
  • nurse practitioner

Industry partnerships

ACU has existing partnerships and agreements with significant health services nationally. This includes (but not limited to) Catholic partners (e.g, St Vincent's mental health, St John of God), and other major tertiary hospitals (e.g., Royal Melbourne Hospital, Queensland Health, Local Health District NSW etc.). These partnerships are important for strengthening of the mental health nursing workforce which is under particular stress presently.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Project Stream (Full-time)

  • Specified Mental Health Nursing UnitsNRSG651Holistic Individual Centred Mental Health Nursing Practice10 cp
  • Specified Mental Health Nursing UnitsNRSG652Recovery Oriented Mental Health Nursing10 cp
  • Specified Mental Health Nursing UnitsNRSG653Health Promotion and Social Inclusion in Mental Health Nursing10 cp
  • Specified Mental Health Nursing UnitsNRSG655Reflective Practice and Clinical Supervision in Mental Health Nursing10 cp
  • Project Stream UnitsHLSC640Interpreting Health Research10 cp
  • Project Stream UnitsPHIL623Healthcare Ethics: Principles in Practice10 cp
  • Project Stream UnitsHLSC605Leadership in Health Care10 cp
  • Project Stream UnitsHLSC657Cognitive Behaviour Therapy10 cp

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Project Stream (Part-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Research Stream (Full-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit.

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Research Stream (Part-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit.

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Project Stream (Full-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Project Stream (Part-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Research Stream (Full-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit.

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Research Stream (Part-time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit.

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Graduate Diploma - AQF Level 8

Exit Points

A student who has completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing may exit with the relevant award.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Mental Heath Nursing course, an applicant must:

a) have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree (or higher); OR have completed the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, or equivalent;

AND

b) provide written confirmation from their employer that they are employed in a mental health service.

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

View transparency admission information

Applicants with higher education study

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must :

a. have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree (or higher); OR have completed the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing or the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing or equivalent;

AND

b. provide written confirmation from their employer that they are employed in a mental health service.

English language requirements

Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).

Articulation arrangements

Applicants who have completed an ACU Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, can articulate into a Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing. Applicants who have completed an ACU Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing can articulate into a Master of Mental Health Nursing.

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.

Pathways

Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience

Usual university credit and RPL processes apply.

Further study

Graduates may progress to a Master of Mental Health Nursing or other postgraduate programs within ACU.


Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$6756 CSP

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships  

Apply for this course

ACU Online Applicants

Apply now

Applicants of Mental Health are required to complete and upload the Statement of Employment form with their application.

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Students must meet employment at the point of commencing studies. Find out more about deferment.

Testimonial

Morgan

“I found the postgraduate support and guidance from ACU to be of an exceptional standard. The staff were experienced, contemporary in their knowledge and were able to apply both practice and theory to real clinical scenarios to assist us in better understanding the changing world of mental health nursing.”

Morgan
Mental health nursing student
 

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