Passionate about mental health? Seeking to develop your knowledge in this integral area while working in the healthcare sector? A major in Contemporary Mental Health is for you.
A major in Contemporary Mental Health is designed primarily for registered nurses who wish to develop specialist skills in the care of people with mental health issues.
This major aims to develop excellence in contemporary mental healthcare 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.
3 reasons to study Contemporary Mental Health
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.
Things you’ll learn
A body of knowledge that includes recent and contemporary developments in Contemporary Mental Health.
Accessible evidence to establish person-centred, collaborative decisions that contribute towards providing optimum mental healthcare.
Communication skills and technical research skills used to evaluate and synthesise complex information to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders .
How to formulate safe, caring, respectful, responsive, and therapeutic relationships with people with mental health issues across a range of healthcare contexts.
Design, implement, and appraise mental healthcare for people with mental health issues that ensures quality, safety, and cultural responsiveness.
Your career
This major 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.
Select which option best describes your path to university :
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses
Successful completion of one of the following:
Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject
MUPC (1 Trimester)
Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
Successful completion of the course
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
University study
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Enabling courses
Successful completion of one of the following:
OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University.
Murdoch FlexiTrack High programin Year 12.
TLC – Learning for Tomorrowin Year 12.
an enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.
Successful completion of the course
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject
MUPC (1 Trimester)
Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of the course
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
University study
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Enabling courses
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University.
Murdoch FlexiTrack High programin Year 12.
TLC – Learning for Tomorrowin Year 12.
an enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of the course
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
VET course studied at school
Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Total score of 24 or higher.
Does not meet English for direct entry.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
CPS 54 or higher.
Does not meet English for direct entry
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
(145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Overseas Year 12
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
English
English Extension (Literature)
English for ESL Learners.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Extenuating circumstances
We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more.
Case-by-case assessment.
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
70
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).
GCE A Levels
Minimum of 6 points taken from the best 2 or 3 subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points e.g. A=2.5, B=2 etc.) or higher.
Does not meet English for direct entry
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
(145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
VET course studied at school
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement
Total score of 24 or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Does not meet English for direct entry.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement
CPS 54 or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Does not meet English for direct entry
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
(145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum English requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement
Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Minimum English requirement
Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
English
English Extension (Literature)
English for ESL Learners.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement
We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more.
Minimum English requirement
Case-by-case assessment.
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement
70
Minimum English requirement
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).
GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum of 6 points taken from the best 2 or 3 subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points e.g. A=2.5, B=2 etc.) or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Does not meet English for direct entry
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
(145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Certificate IV AQF level 4
Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
AND
Satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Certificate IV AQF level 4
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
AND
Satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Written English score of 140 (145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
No direct entry.
No direct entry.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement
Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Minimum English requirement
Written English score of 140 (145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing 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.
Advanced Standing
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing 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.
Progress to fees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
Scholarships
Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.
Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student
as well as what's available throughout your degree.
Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.
Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.
If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.
Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship. Our International Welcome Scholarship offers eligible students between $8,000 and $11,000, depending on the course you study.
The Australian Government also offers scholarships to students from developing countries through the Australia Awards Scholarship program.
Explore our scholarships and find out if you’re eligible to apply.
