Duration
Study one unit across a seven-week study period, allowing you to complete your Graduate Certificate in Mental Health within 8 months. It's recommended that you spend approximately 20 hours per week on your postgraduate study. Our 100% online Graduate Certificate in Mental Health program allows you to study when it suits you and you are not required to be online at a specific time.
Fees
$11,480 for all 4 units. FEE-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan scheme that helps eligible full-fee paying students pay all or part of their tuition fees. FEE-HELP is available for this program.
Units
Study one unit each seven-week study period with our multi-award-winning Block Model. Assessments are delivered at the same time each study period, allowing for deep and focused learning.
Study intakes
There are six study periods each year, allowing you to begin your Graduate Certificate at the start of any study period. You will study one unit at a time over the seven-week study period. If required, you are able to skip a study period.
July, Aug, Oct
CSP Available
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the Australian Government, reducing your total tuition fees from $11,480 (full fee) to $2,368. CSPs are limited and subject to availability. Eligible students may be able to defer their student contribution through a HECS-HELP loan.
Why study the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Online?
Award-winning VU Block Model®
Our postgraduate online Block Model has won consecutive LearnX Live! Awards for ‘Best Online Learning Model’. With VU Online you can have a consistent, manageable and connected online learning experience.
No exams or textbooks to purchase
The online units have been designed with a student-centred approach that spans across the overarching learning outcomes to the engaging activities and self-determined assessments.
Contemporary curriculum designed by mental health experts
Designed and developed by leading mental health academics and practitioners, our Graduate Certificate in Mental Health will equip you with contemporary approaches to mental health and allow you to transform the delivery of mental health services in Australia.
Save up to 75% on your fees*
You may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for selected subjects in this course.
*CSP is available to new, eligible students who enrol in and commence selected courses in 2027. Limited places available.
Overview
Drive positive impact in mental health with VU Online’s Graduate Certificate in Mental Health. This degree is designed for allied health, welfare and social care professionals who want to gain a holistic understanding of mental health and its impact on individuals, families and communities.
You will establish fundamentals in comprehensive mental health practice, research and evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care and collaboration across mental health services.
This graduate certificate features a contemporary curriculum designed by mental health experts. Upon successful completion, you can continue your studies and gain your Master of Mental Health.
VU Online’s Postgraduate Block Model
Our postgraduate online Block Model is designed to be flexible, interactive and student-centred. You’ll experience structured and supportive online learning, and benefit from 1:1 academic support via phone, email or SMS, seven days a week and in the evenings.
Ready to make a difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health? Look no further than VU's online Graduate Certificate in Mental Health.
Our program equips you with the expertise and practical skills to support individuals in need, from understanding the complex nuances of mental illness to developing effective recovery-oriented solutions.
With a curriculum covering topics such as trauma-informed care and evidence-based practices, you'll be prepared to make a meaningful impact in the mental health field.
Elevate your career and become a compassionate and knowledgeable mental health practitioner with a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health from VU.
- Specialist Mental Health Practitioner
- Mental Health Policy Officer
- Mental Health Program Lead
- Mental Health Consultant
- Mental Health and Welfare Manager
- Case Manager
What you will study
In this unit, students critically reflect on the lived experience of mental illness. The students' learning journey begins by examining past institutional abuse of people with mental illness and the continuing effects of stigma across social and diverse cultural contexts. Students analyse the evolution of the mental health consumer movement, focusing on consumer rights, autonomy, self-determination, collaborative decision-making, and strength-based models to support recovery from mental ill-health. Students also interrogate how to support consumers who have complex mental illness or who exhibit challenging behaviours, within a consumer-centred, recovery-oriented framework. Students will also debate the challenges that arise when balancing the diverse needs of consumers and carers in relation to confidentiality, privacy, and disclosure.
This unit examines biopsychosocial and cultural perspectives of mental illness. This includes the links between serious mental illness, physical health conditions, complex comorbidities, and disability. Students will interrogate the correlation between lower levels of physical health, mental health, and socio-economic indices for people experiencing chronic physical conditions and mental ill-health. Students will also cross-examine the ethical dilemmas and cultural perspectives of mental ill-health for people with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and lifestyles. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, LGBTQIA+ peoples, veteran groups, and people from metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote communities across Australia. Students will also evaluate the value of care coordination and care planning approaches for people with complex health and sociocultural needs.
In this unit, students examine the experiences of trauma among people from diverse populations, cultures, and age groups and its impact across the lifespan. Students will analyse the way people, with the lived experience of trauma, report feeling stigmatised, discriminated against and misunderstood. These impacts include emotional dysregulation, substance misuse, self-harm, and suicidal behaviours. Students will also appraise the eight foundational principles of trauma-informed care and practice that focus on modelling interpersonal relationships, working with cultural differences, advocating for consumer control and choice, inspiring hope, supporting recovery, and integrating care. The unit requires students to critically reflect on their practice through a trauma-informed lens and interrogate the importance of recovery-oriented practice when caring for people who have experienced trauma.
In this unit, students focus on developing their understanding of mental ill-health. Students examine the most common mental illnesses; the factors that contribute to their prevalence; and the impact of mental illness on the lived experience of diverse people, families, and communities. Students also examine mental health as a national health priority, together with mental health promotion and illness prevention services and strategies. Other aspects of the unit include the legal and ethical frameworks that guide how practitioners work with people with mental illness; and the specific skills needed to build and maintain person-centred therapeutic relationships that promote recovery and resilience. Students will also critically reflect on the need for practitioners to self-care and the importance of consumer-centred supervision.
Entry requirements
When you apply to study with VU, we’ll take into consideration your prior study, work experience and current skills. If eligible, you can also apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), so you can make your next career move even sooner.
- Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline such as Health Science, Social Work, Psychology, Medicine, Counselling, Criminal Justice, Youth Work or Education OR
- Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor in any discipline and at least 2 years of approved work experience.
Fees & FEE-HELP
A Graduate Certificate in Mental Health from VU Online costs $2,870 per unit*, taking the total for 4 units to $11,480*.
This depends on the number of units you study and whether you are eligible for Advanced Standing, which is assessed after you submit your application.
10% discount for alumni
If you’ve previously completed a qualification with us (and didn't apply through an agent), you may be eligible for a 10% discount.
Note that you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s loan scheme, FEE-HELP. The loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students with the cost of a university program. It can be used for all or part of the tuition. To determine your eligibility, visit the FEE-HELP website.
*2027 student fees are shown and are subject to change.
For more information on fees and student support, download a brochure.
Want to learn more about this course?
What our students say
Victoria University offers high-quality online learning, with strong support and flexible study options. I’ve had a very positive experience thanks to the dedicated and enthusiastic lecturers and facilitators. Their clear feedback, helpful comments, and quick responses have supported my learning and reflect the high standards of Victoria University’s online programs.
What our students say
I am receiving a lot of support from my facilitators and my Student Success Advisor, who boosts my confidence and self-esteem.
What our students say
It was personally satisfying connecting and collaborating with a range of industry professionals. Many have become valuable work contacts, some even lifelong friends and career mentors.
What our students say
The flexibility, relevance and opportunity that VU Online brings to higher education are testaments to excellence in teaching and learning.
Frequently asked questions
No, however it is designed and delivered by leading mental health academics and practitioners and informed by local, national and international health priorities and principles.
No, our Graduate Certificate in Mental Health is 100% online. You will learn through scenarios and case studies so that you can gain skills that can be applied to your current and future roles.
This course will give you a strong foundation in mental health practice. The skills you gain in this course can be applied to a range of fields like social work, education and more. You can also use this course as a pathway to a Master of Mental Health.
VU Online's Graduate Certificate in Mental Health will allow you to build a foundation in mental health practice that you can apply to a variety of therapeutic, community and clinical mental health settings.
In addition, VU Online's postgraduate Block Model allows you to study one unit at a time so you can manage study alongside work and other commitments. You'll have access to support seven days a week and in the evenings, so you can achieve your goals.
Our Graduate Certificate in Mental Health is for allied health and social care professionals who want to apply contemporary approaches to mental health to their role. Our Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing is for registered nurses who want to expand their nursing practice.
Yes, a graduate certificate is a recognised postgraduate qualification that can provide significant professional value. It offers advanced, specialised knowledge and practical skills, allowing professionals to enhance their career prospects, demonstrate expertise, and potentially transition into leadership or specialised roles. It is particularly useful for those looking to upskill quickly without committing to a full master’s degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health at VU Online equips students with knowledge and practical skills in mental health assessment, intervention, and program delivery. Completing this program results in a recognised graduate certificate mental health or online mental health certificate, enhancing employability in healthcare, community services, and organisational roles.
The cost of a graduate certificate varies by institution, program structure, and mode of delivery. Tuition fees reflect the postgraduate-level learning and specialised content. Many students access government assistance schemes such as FEE‑HELP to support payment of tuition.
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health at VU Online is delivered fully online, allowing professionals to complete the program alongside their work commitments while earning a recognised mental health certificate in a flexible and structured format.
Entry into a graduate certificate usually requires completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience. Some programs may consider substantial work experience in a related field for admission, particularly for candidates with significant practical expertise.
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health at Victoria University Online is designed for health and human services professionals. Entry generally requires prior tertiary qualifications or demonstrated relevant experience, ensuring students can engage with the advanced content effectively.
A graduate certificate is a postgraduate qualification and sits above a bachelor’s degree in terms of academic level and specialised focus. While a bachelor’s degree provides foundational knowledge, a graduate certificate allows professionals to gain advanced, targeted expertise in a specific field, such as mental health, and can enhance career prospects or provide a pathway to further postgraduate study.
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health equips students with postgraduate-level skills and understanding, offering deeper practical and theoretical knowledge than an undergraduate degree in related fields.
Graduate certificates are designed for professionals who meet the entry requirements, usually an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience. They are not open-entry programs like some short courses, as they involve postgraduate-level study that requires analytical, research, and professional application skills.
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health at VU Online is aimed at professionals seeking to specialise in mental health practice or leadership. Students who meet the entry criteria can complete the program to earn a recognised graduate certificate in mental health or online mental health certificate, enhancing career opportunities and professional capability.
Still have questions?
Our Student Enrolment Advisors are just a click away. They can answer any questions you have about this course or VU Online.
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