Mental health courses
Help me choose a courseIntroduction to Mental health
Demand for mental health services is at an all-time high in Australia. The industry is crying out for more specialists who can make a difference—specialists like nurses, counsellors, advocates and policy makers.
With the right mental health qualification, you could answer that call.
Study mental health online through Open Universities Australia, and explore rewarding opportunities in nursing, community care, education or law enforcement.
We’re here to help you compare flexible study options from across the country and enrol with the university of your choice.
Explore mental health coursesDiscover mental health courses
Online mental health subjects and short courses
Mental Health, Dementia and Challenging Behaviours
Undergraduate
USA-NURS1067- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 13 Jan 2025, 30 Jun 2025
Undergraduate
USA-HLTH1052- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 07 Apr 2025, 22 Sep 2025
Stress, Self-Care and Mindfulness
Undergraduate
TAS-PSY114- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 21 Jul 2025
Undergraduate
TAS-ZAC117- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 21 Jul 2025
Online mental health degrees
Undergraduate Certificate in Psychology
Undergraduate
USA-PSY-CTFAn introduction to the methods and concepts of psychology
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
Graduate Diploma in Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing
Postgraduate
UON-WMH-GDIInsight and skills to support mental health in the workplace
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
Postgraduate
ECU-MHN-GDIExplore modern, evidence-based mental health nursing care
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Postgraduate
ACU-PSY-GDIPursue a career in psychology
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- Approx. 1 year full time or part time equivalent
Need help choosing the right course?
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- Understanding your funding options
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Mental health study FAQs
Why should I study mental health online?
If you’re here to find a mental health course, odds are you already work in a demanding practical setting. You would love to sharpen your mental health support skills, but you don’t have time to commute to campus or attend lectures in person.
Enter online study.
You should consider an online course in mental health through Open Universities Australia if you want to unlock extra flexible study methods with your university. We give you the freedom to control how many subjects you take at once, so that it’s easier to fit study around your job. You can also trial single mental health subjects before committing to a full qualification, which is a fantastic way to make sure you’ve chosen the right study path.
What’s the difference between mental health and psychology courses?
The mental health courses available here are designed to upskill those who already work in clinical healthcare or community services. The Master of Mental Health Nursing, for example, is only open to registered nurses. You should choose a postgraduate mental health course if you want to learn best practices in mental health support and go after more specialised jobs.
Psychology courses focus on the science behind thinking, behavior, personality and psychological disorders. You should study an undergraduate or postgraduate psychology course if you want to become a registered psychologist—or if you want to understand how people tick. What you learn about the human mind can be applied to careers in a lot of industries, including social services, human resources, marketing and business.
What careers opportunities can I explore after studying mental health?
Students typically study this area so they can become mental health specialists or leaders in their field.
The online courses available through Open Universities Australia can help you pursue mental health career opportunities in:
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Community services
- Correctional health
- Counselling and psychology
- Social work
- Disability support services
- Youth work
- Law enforcement
- Teaching and education
Still considering your options? Here are four areas in mental health where job opportunities are growing fast.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.
For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.
Chat with us to find out more.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
- You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there. - You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you. - You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students. - We’ll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
What do you learn in a mental health course?
Online mental health courses cover a range of topics, so what you learn will depend on the qualification you choose.
If you’re yet to start your career, then we recommend exploring an undergraduate counselling or psychology course, where you can build your foundational knowledge.
If you already work in your field and you want to become a mental health specialist, you can focus on an area like:
- Counselling and mental health first aid
- Mental health nursing
- Mental health leadership
- Research and policy
- Forensic mental health
- Mental health for educators
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