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At ACU, our Master of Mental Health Nursing (Online) equips registered nurses with advanced clinical, therapeutic and leadership skills to support people with complex mental health needs across diverse settings. It is increasingly needed as demand for mental health services grows and Australia faces a shortage of nurses with specialist mental health expertise. Graduates are prepared to deliver evidence‑based, recovery‑focused care and to work confidently within multidisciplinary teams.

Reports show that:

  • According to Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), mental health nursing shortages persist nationwide, with workforce supply not keeping pace with demand, particularly in regional and community mental health settings.1
  • Demand for mental health nurses has intensified in tandem with the needs of Australians from all demographics,2 with a staggering 42.9% of people aged 16–85 years experiencing a mental disorder at some time in their life.3
  • More than 1 in 5 Australians experience a mental health condition each year, and demand for mental health services has increased significantly since the COVID‑19 pandemic – directly increasing demand for qualified mental health nurses.4

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Complete the form below for detailed course information and to be contacted by phone and email.

Top careers

Mental health nurse $95,000 AUD per year5

Clinical lead $120,000 AUD per year5

Clinical nurse $110,000 AUD per year5

Nurse educator $133,000 AUD per year5

Develop advanced skills to lead in mental health nursing

What you’ll learn:

  • how to assess and respond to complex mental health presentations, using advanced clinical reasoning to identify risk, make evidence‑based decisions and plan person‑centred care
  • how to deliver therapeutic interventions across diverse settings, applying counselling skills, trauma‑informed practice, and recovery‑oriented models to support individuals and families
  • to manage mental health crises safely and confidently, including suicide risk assessment, de‑escalation techniques and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
  • to navigate legal, ethical and cultural considerations in mental health care, with a strong understanding of mental health legislation, professional responsibilities and culturally safe practice
  • how to lead and advocate in mental health services, developing skills in clinical leadership, service improvement, supervision and mental health promotion

Sources

  1. Jobs and Skills Australia https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-shortage/occupation-shortage-list.
  2. Wolters Kluwer https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en-au/expert-insights/building-the-mental-health-nursing-workforce-in-australia.
  3. Australian Bureau of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/2020-2022.
  4. Australian Bureau of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health.
  5. Seek https://au.seek.com/.