Graduate Diploma in Nursing specialising in Mental Health

University of Adelaide

Australia, Adelaide

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Duration2 year(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 39,237 / year(s)

Next IntakeJuly 5, 2026

Graduate Diploma in Nursing specialising in Mental Health

About

This graduate diploma is flexible delivered full-time or part-time over one to two years. Through online learning, virtual workshops and industry placements, you’ll build the skills to effectively respond to people living with mental distress.

Explore the legal and ethical aspects of mental health nursing practice. Study evidenced based and lived experience practices to support recovery. Learn to communicate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. Gain insights based on real cases and local research.

Industry experience is a key focus of this degree. While you work in your mental health role, you'll complete 240 hours of industry placements, with focused practical experience in acute and community mental health settings.

You’ll graduate ready for the mental health workplaces. As a mental health nurse, you’ll be equipped to work with people experiencing conditions including, suicidal crisis, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis and other mental health challenges.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfill any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

Hold registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) with no conditions; AND
Be currently working in Mental Health with an employer letter of support confirming a training position within the area of mental health nursing to enable completion of the 240 hours of professional placement in both community and acute mental health contexts.

English Program Requirements

IELTS Overall 7 | IELTS Reading 7 | IELTS Listening 7 | IELTS Speaking 7 | IELTS Writing 7

Career

Career outcomes

As a registered nurse with mental health qualifications, you can broaden your employment prospects across the private and public sectors, including in:

Acute inpatient units
Residential and non-residential rehabilitation programs
Community health services.

You could work in a mental health inpatient unit, engaged in crisis stabilisation, advocating for consumers experiencing psychosis. You might help people dealing with issues arising from use of drugs and alcohol, managing the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.

Or, you could go straight on to complete a Master of Nursing, using your credits to fast-track your academic journey.

Industry trends

Nearly half of Australians are likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition in their lifetime, leaving the rest knowing someone living with or having experienced mental distress (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024).

With an increasing prevalence of mental illness in our country, this graduate diploma is highly relevant to healthcare today. The Graduate diploma in mental health nursing will further improve your employment prospects and offer career diversity.

We’ll prepare you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people experiencing mental distress. You’ll learn to provide person-centred, trauma informed emotional support within clinical care.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

39,237 / year(s)

Graduate Diploma in Nursing specialising in Mental Health

University of Adelaide

Australia, Adelaide

Go to Official Website