International
Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing
#14 for nursing worldwide
Entry requirements for
Check the entry requirements below to confirm your eligibility for this course, including academic qualifications and English language requirements.
- Online
#14 in the world for nursing
Advanced nursing studies
Flexible online courses for practising nurses
Why choose mental health nursing at Deakin
Advance your mental health nursing practice with Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing. Designed for practising nurses, this flexible course builds on foundational knowledge to develop deeper expertise in assessment, intervention and person-centred care.
You will strengthen your understanding of complex mental health conditions, therapeutic approaches and pharmacological treatments, alongside trauma-informed and recovery-oriented practice. Develop the skills to support consumers, carers and supporters across diverse care contexts.
In your second year, you will extend your capability through advanced topics, including the physical health impacts of mental illness and strategies to sustain your own professional wellbeing. With elective options, you can tailor your studies to align with your career goals and areas of interest.
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#14 in the world for nursing
Study at a globally ranked university, with learning informed by contemporary nursing research and practice.
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Aligned with national mental health priorities
Apply current evidence to improve practice, service delivery and health outcomes, and graduate with a degree aligned with workforce needs.
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Choice of pathways and electives
Choose to undertake research or coursework pathways, or take on elective units to support specialisation.
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Lead change in mental health care
Prepare for leadership, specialist, and extended practice roles, with a strong focus on innovation, evidence-based practice and clinical leadership.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Open doors with a Deakin scholarship
Study with certainty at Deakin. Our international scholarships recognise excellence and empower you to thrive by reducing the cost of studying abroad.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Advance your mental health nursing practice and prepare to lead, educate and support teams delivering person-centred, recovery-oriented care.
Nurse manager
Lead mental health nursing teams across acute, community and specialist services. Coordinate care, support staff and promote safe, compassionate and recovery-focused practice.
- 13.6%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- $145k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Nurse educator
Educate nurses working with people experiencing mental health challenges. Design learning that strengthens therapeutic practice, clinical confidence and recovery-oriented care.
- 5,000
Nurse educators employed
- $138k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Other jobs
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Clinical nurse specialist
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Clinical nurse consultant
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Advanced practice nurse
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Nurse researcher
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Quality and safety coordinator
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Healthcare leader
FAQs
The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely. All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.
Rankings and footnotes
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing?
Build foundational and applied knowledge in assessment, mental health conditions and person-centred care, then extend your capability in complex care, professional resilience and tailored areas of interest.
Foundations in mental health nursing practice
Holistic mental health assessment
Strengthen your ability to assess mental health across biological, psychological, social and spiritual domains to inform care.
Mental health conditions and care
Explore a range of mental health conditions and develop your capability to recognise and respond to complex presentations.
Therapeutic approaches
Examine recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and pharmacological interventions that support consumers, carers and supporters.
Advanced practice and elective focus
Physical health in mental health
Understand the physical health impacts of mental illness and treatment, supporting more holistic care outcomes.
Sustainable professional practice
Develop strategies to manage the demands of mental health nursing and support your own wellbeing in practice.
Elective specialisation
Tailor your degree through elective options to deepen knowledge in areas aligned with your professional interests and career goals.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing, you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. This course is available part-time only, with students typically studying one to two credit points each study period.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Professional recognition
Nurses employed in a health service with mental health postgraduate qualifications, may be eligible for a higher duties allowance relevant to their practice.
What to expect while studying
As an online student in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting via CloudDeakin and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. Refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| Critically analyse and apply theories and evidence informed practice to facilitate recovery-oriented, trauma informed and consumer-centred mental health nursing care. |
| Apply advanced therapeutic nursing communication skills and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to promote the advocacy, agency and self-determination of mental health consumers, families, and carers. |
| Maintain and advance mental health nursing knowledge and practice through the critical analysis of mental health research using digital technologies. |
| Apply advanced critical thinking nursing skills through the analysis, evaluation, and critique of evidence-based sources to inform clinical decision making. |
| Assess, plan an deliver mental health nursing care to diverse consumers with complex mental health needs. |
| Practice independently demonstrating accountability and personal responsibility, whilst reflecting on nursing practice. |
| Collaborate with mental health consumers and the multidisciplinary team to optimise consumer outcomes and engagement. |
| Maintain professional and ethical standards of nursing practice whilst recognising diverse cultural and community perspectives. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H679
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Your academic history, work and life experience, and individual circumstances will be considered. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission, but alternative pathways may be available.
Entry requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) with no conditions or restrictions
- Registration as a registered nurse in the country of practice or equivalent and Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent.
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- CEFR Proficient User Level C1
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Get credit for your experience
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$15,916
4 CP AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 4 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Pathways
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing, students have the option to further their studies by articulating into the below course: