Key facts
Duration
2 years part-time
Note: this course is only available part-time
Locations
OnlineCourse overview
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.
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- 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
Leader in online study
Join more than 78,000 online Deakin students who have successfully graduated from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. Discover why we’re a leader in online university courses.
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.
An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 6 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of course electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE AT THE #1 VICTORIAN UNI FOR COURSE SATISFACTION
Workload
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.
Participation requirements
At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.
If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
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)
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.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$31,832 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 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.
Scholarship options
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.
Deakin alumni discount
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
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.
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:
H779 Master of Mental Health Nursing
Alternate exits
Career outcomes
As government and industry continue to focus on building and securing the mental health workforce, registered nurses with specialised postgraduate qualifications in mental health nursing are in strong demand, and in many services are a minimum requirement to work in the setting following an undergraduate nursing degree.
Deakin’s outstanding employment rate for postgraduate nursing means you can be confident in taking the next step in your career. As a graduate of the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing you’ll have the skills and knowledge to enhance your mental health nursing career as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), senior clinician, or step into a leadership role across a range of community and inpatient settings.
Upon graduation, you may find work in:
- acute public mental health/psychiatry
- aged care services
- child and adolescent mental health/psychiatry
- forensic services
- mother and baby services
- community mental health
- drug and alcohol services
- private mental health
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.
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| 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. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
*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.
