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Postgraduate mental health courses (online)

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100% online delivery

Industry informed curriculum

Alternative entry available

Apply by 15 January 2027

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Build your career in mental health

As mental health needs continue to rise in Australia, so does the demand for professional workers capable of delivering support.

ACU’s postgraduate mental health courses (Online) equip students with theoretical knowledge and the practical, real-world skills that strengthen your capability in contemporary mental health practice.

Designed for health and human service professionals and career changers alike, you’ll develop recovery-oriented, person-led, and trauma-informed approaches that strengthen your mental health practice. With a strong emphasis on ethical, collaborative and culturally responsive practice embedded in the learnings, you’ll build key skills and knowledge to confidently work in partnership with people with lived experience of mental distress, psychosocial disability and complex needs, and their families, carers and communities.

Delivered 100 per cent online, this degree combines flexible study with contemporary, industry-informed learning. Graduate ready to progress your career or step into the mental health sector with confidence.

  • Study anywhere, anytime – 100% online with the flexibility to balance work and life. Perfect for professionals looking to transition into or advance in mental health.
  • Clear, stackable progression – start with the graduate certificate, advance to the graduate diploma and progress into the masters.
  • Two entry pathways available – whether you’ve studied before or have worked in the industry, you’ll be able to apply for the graduate certificate.

A clear pathway in mental health

ACU’s postgraduate mental health suite offers a flexible, progressive pathway to build your expertise, from foundational knowledge through to advanced practices and leadership skills. Each qualification is grounded in recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and person-led approaches, and emphasises ethical, collaborative and culturally responsive practice across diverse mental health contexts.

An easier path to study

No degree? With our Graduate Certificate in Mental Health (Online), you can still apply if you have industry experience in a relevant field, such as mental health, disability or aged care, community services, healthcare, residential care or inclusive education. Students who apply via this stream must complete four foundational units to earn the graduate certificate. Upon graduation, you can choose to take your studies further with the diploma or masters.

  • Modality: Online
  • Credit points: 40
  • Duration: 6 months full-time or 1 year part-time

Take the next step in your mental health journey, with a focused qualification designed to strengthen your capability in contemporary mental health practice. With a focus on recovery and trauma-informed practice, you can tailor your study through foundational or advanced pathways aligned to your professional experience and goals.

  • Modality: Online
  • Credit points: 80
  • Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Building on the foundations developed in the graduate certificate, the graduate diploma offers an in-depth exploration of contemporary mental health practices. You can tailor your study through foundational or advanced pathways aligned to your professional experience and goals, and choose a project or research stream, allowing you to contribute to service improvement, policy, development, leadership and research-informed practice.

  • Modality: Online
  • Credit points: 120
  • Duration: 1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time

Designed for professionals ready for leadership or senior roles, the Master of Mental Health (Online) builds on the graduate certificate and diploma to develop advanced leadership, analytical and research capabilities. Through advanced inquiry and an independent project or research dissertation, you’ll contribute to mental health knowledge and practice, and strengthen your capacity to influence mental health practice, services and systems.

Make an impact with mental health

With ACU, you’ll be well positioned to support individuals, recognise mental health needs, foster well-being and make a meaningful difference. Combining foundational theory with practical skills and a clear pathway up until the master’s, you’ll graduate with the confidence to support individuals and communities experiencing mental health challenges.

Career pathways may include:

Mental health professional $85k per year1

Case manager $75k per year1

Triage manager $102k per year1

About ACU

Our mission-driven approach combines academic excellence with a commitment to ethics, social justice, community and real-world impact. ACU’s mental health courses are taught by academics and lived experience educators with expertise in a range of mental health service settings, policy and research. Their expertise ensures learning remains grounded in real-world health environments, enabling students to develop recovery-oriented capabilities and person-led approaches that inform the design, delivery and evaluation of mental health services.

Online learning experience

Study 100 per cent online, anytime, from wherever you are. ACU’s digital learning platform connects you with expert educators, live online discussions with unit facilitators and peers and interactive coursework designed for flexibility and support. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, you’ll have the tools, structure and guidance to learn, succeed and excel at your own pace.

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Source and disclaimer

  1. https://www.glassdoor.com.au/.