Graduate Diploma 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.

Building on the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health 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.

Recommended study pattern

To qualify for the degree of Graduate Diploma in Mental Health, a student must complete the 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings comprising:

a. For Project Stream:

1. 40 cp from Specified Mental Health units (Part A)
2. 40 cp from Project Stream units (Part B)

OR

b. For Research Stream:

1. 40 cp from Specified Mental Health units (Part A)
2. 40 cp from Research Stream units (Part C)

Award requirements

To qualify for the degree of Graduate Diploma in Mental Health, a student must complete the 80 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 $6,756

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 Graduate Diploma of Mental Health course, an applicant must have completed:

a) a bachelor degree in a health discipline;

OR

b) the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, or equivalent.

If 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.