- Entry requirements
- ATAR:
more entry options - Study mode
- Part Time Full Time
- First year fee (domestic)
- $2,368
- Full course fee (domestic)
- $2,368
- Full time duration
- 0.5
- Murdoch code
- C1166
The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.
Course overview
This graduate certificate is designed primarily for registered nurses who wish to develop specialist skills in the care of people with mental health issues. This course aims to develop excellence in contemporary mental health care to meet the professional development needs of graduates interested in specialist mental health practice and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to care.
You’ll work on formulating safe, caring, respectful, responsive, and therapeutic relationships with people with mental health issues across a range of healthcare contexts.
This course is recommended for Registered Nurses wanting to expand their knowledge and skills in the care of patients requiring specialist, or immediate mental health care. It will also be of interest to allied health professionals and nurses working in general areas such as ED, who are in regular contact with patients receiving immediate and ongoing medical and nursing care for mental health conditions.
3 Reasons to study Contemporary Mental Health at Murdoch
- Study at your own pace with flexible, online learning.
- Gain evidence-based skills and strategies that are immediately applicable to your work.
- Take a step towards specialising in mental health practice.
Develop your skills
Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Things you’ll cover include:
- Learning to formulate safe, caring, respectful, responsive, and therapeutic relationships with people with mental health issues across a range of healthcare contexts.
- Working to evaluate all accessible evidence to establish person-centred, collaborative decisions that contribute towards providing optimum mental healthcare.
- Creating effective and collaborative interdisciplinary relationships that facilitate the implementation of evidence based mental health care.
- Adapting to practising in complex mental healthcare environments whilst acting within appropriate professional, ethical, and legal frameworks.
Your future career
The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health will start your journey towards specialist practice as a mental health practitioner. The course is designed to teach immediately implementable skills that are relevant to your role, providing a platform towards future development.
Accreditation
It is anticipated that the course will provide many of the criteria required for credentialed mental health nurse status with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. Discussions with the college are ongoing, so please contact for further details.
Professional accreditation
C1166 Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM). The School of Nursing promotes excellence and continual improvement of university education by providing a nationally accredited program. The ACHSM national university accreditation standards have been developed through broad consultation with employers, industry groups, health managers and universities, to ensure that graduates who complete these programs are competent to perform the core tasks they face in employment.
Professional recognition
Mental health nurse
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | No | Yes | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | No | Yes | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | No | Yes | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | No | Yes | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | International Online | No | Yes | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | International Online | No | Yes | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | International Online | No | Yes | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | International Online | No | Yes | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
Admission requirements
English Requirements
You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Plan your course
Explore the sample course structure below to get an idea of what your degree could look like, or take the next step in planning your degree:
Use the Course Visualiser - build your personalised study plan interactively
Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.
To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|
Fees & Scholarships
Fees
The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.
Scholarships
How to Apply
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
- Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
- Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
Recommended documents (if applicable)
- Change of name documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
- Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
- Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
- Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
- Genuine Student documents (if applicable) - Check the GS requirements page for further information
- GS Form 2
- Personal Statement (SOP)
- Up to date Curriculum Vitae
- A copy of your Passport
Recommended documents
- A copy of your visa documents (if available)
- A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
- Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
- Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
- Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
Apply through an agent
If you’re applying as an international student, our global network of agents will help you get started on your journey.
Apply directly to Murdoch
If you are a non School leaver, you can apply for most undergraduate, honours and postgraduate courses directly through our online application system.
View all ways to apply
There are many ways to apply to Murdoch University as we know everyone has a different path and journey. Get started and take the next step.
All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.
The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.
For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.
Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.
The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.
The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.
All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.