Graduate Certificate in Mental Health

Upon successful completion, students should be able to:

1. Describe evidence-based practice, knowledge and skills that are required within a multidisciplinary team in settings which provide mental health care;

2. Integrate principles of clinical decision-making in relation to mental health care planning, implementation, assessment and evaluation for effective care delivery within a range of health care settings which provide mental health care;

3.Implement specialist evidence-based clinical knowledge and skills to analyse, generate, communicate, and evaluate clinical interventions that reflect a person-centred recovery oriented and trauma-informed care approach within a range of health care settings which provide mental health care.

Our suite of Mental Health programs for allied health professionals develops graduates with knowledge and skills at a specialist and advanced level in mental health. The programs offer opportunities for health professionals who have no formal postgraduate mental health qualification, but who do work with people facing mental health issues, The programs provide a shift in focus from acute inpatient treatment to that of recovery- orientated and trauma-informed care philosophy and content.

The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health addresses current mental health perspectives and practices and gives you a comprehensive understanding of illness as well as wellness. The inclusion of diversity and lifetime perspectives will ensure that you are practice ready. In the Graduate Certificate you will undertake units in recovery-oriented mental health, holistic individual centred mental health practice, health promotion and social inclusion along with a unit to develop an in-depth understanding in practitioners of their practice.

Recommended study pattern

Year 1 Term 1

• HLSC650 - Recovery Oriented Mental Health
• HLSC651 - Holistic Individual Centred Mental Health Practice

Year 1 Term 2

• HLSC652 - Health Promotion and Social Inclusion
• HLSC655 - Reflective Practice and Clinical Supervision in Mental Health

Award requirements

To qualify for the degree of Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, a student must complete 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $2,312

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about ACU.

Explore ACU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

26

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

a) A Bachelor degree in a Health Discipline; OR

b) Submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.

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

 Your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.