Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1 & 3
- Duration
- 1 year
- Delivery Mode
- Online
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 7365
- CRICOS code -
-
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this program2025 Indicative CSP first year fee
- $6,500*
-
2025 Indicative CSP fee to complete degree
- $6,500*
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $19,000*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $19,000*
Fees
Fees
-
Cutting-edge cirriculum
-
Community impact
-
Flexible online learning
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Recognised by governments, private healthcare providers, and the public, mental health care is acknowledged as an area requiring significant development and expansion, particularly in the recruitment and retention of highly trained health professionals.
UNSW's new Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice offers flexible, online training for health professionals. With a focus on interdisciplinary learning guided by leading researchers, it addresses the growing need for skilled mental health practitioners.
The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health within UNSW’s Medicine & Health faculty has a distinguished academic history, excelling in both research and education across postgraduate mental health degrees. Collaborations with renowned institutes ensure our students learn from cutting-edge knowledge in mental health care. The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice emphasises patient-centred care, ethical practice and community impact.
Join one of the world’s top medical faculties, UNSW's Medicine & Health faculty is ranked equal 54th globally and is within the top five medical faculties in Australia.*
*QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
Key features
- Cutting-edge curriculumÌý
Benefit from a comprehensive program designed by industry experts, providing up-to-date knowledge and skills crucial for effective mental health practice.
- Designed for a range of health professionals
This program was designed for medical practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists. It is also open to members of the other interested disciplines.
- Community impact
Learn how to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with mental health challenges through patient-centred care and interdisciplinary approaches, fostering healthier communities.
Why study at UNSW?
The Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Practice has been specifically designed for mental health professionals by mental health professionals at UNSW and in collaboration with mental health staff working across all areas of contemporary mental health assessment and treatment.Ìý
Flexible learningÌýÌý
UNSW's flexible online delivery allows busy professionals to study mental health online alongside work and other life commitments. The accessibility of the online learning platform and interactive elements within the program content ensure that the online experience is of the highest quality.Ìý
Top-tier researchÌýÌý
Engage with leading researchers and gain insights from collaborations with prestigious institutes like theÌýÌýandÌý, contributing to groundbreaking advancements in the field.Ìý
Global recognition
With UNSW's prestigious reputation and high rankings in global university rankings, graduates receive credentials recognised and respected worldwide, opening doors to diverse career opportunities.
Explore related degrees in forensic mental health
If you’re interested in advancing your expertise in mental health with a focus on the justice system, consider exploring our Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health and Graduate Diploma in Forensic Mental Health. These programs provide specialised knowledge and practical skills for those working at the intersection of mental health and the legal system.
Whether you’re looking to build a foundation or deepen your understanding of forensic mental health, these pathways offer flexible study options and access to leading experts in the field.
Want to see more from UNSW Medicine and Health?
Entry requirements
Entry into this program requires an undergraduate degree in a relevant health discipline (nursing, psychology, social work, medicine, occupational therapy, or other allied health).
In exceptional circumstances, applicants with qualifications from non-relevant disciplines and/or extensive relevant professional work experience (e.g., Aboriginal health workers) may be considered.
English language requirements
Ìý
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Entry into this program requires an undergraduate degree in a relevant health discipline (nursing, psychology, social work, medicine, occupational therapy, or other allied health).
In exceptional circumstances, applicants with qualifications from non-relevant disciplines and/or extensive relevant professional work experience (e.g., Aboriginal health workers) may be considered.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice includes the following four compulsory courses:
(PSCY9020) Mental Health Assessment and Treatment:ÌýThis subject will give you an overview of the key principles underpinning mental health assessment and treatment decisions across all the mental illness category groups and treatment settings. You’ll also gain a basic understanding of key psychological modalities used in treatment, emphasising cognitive behavioural therapy, brief solution-focused therapy and an overview of other psychological therapies. Upon completing this subject, you can conduct comprehensive mental health assessments, provide initial diagnostic formulations and develop treatment plans.
(PSCY9021) Fundamental Psychological Therapy Skills:ÌýThis course will introduce psychological treatment modalities and provide a framework to select the appropriate treatment for a particular mental health disorder. The course will include various psychological therapy theories including, but not limited to, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mentalisation based therapy (MBT) and transference focussed therapy (TFT) fundamentals. By the end of this course, you will understand the theoretical frameworks of these therapeutic interventions and be able to implement aspects of each in your clinical practice providing patients with high quality psychological treatment. This course provides an opportunity for you to practice the skills you have learned throughout the course with the course convenor(s) who have expertise in the delivery of psychological therapies.Ìý
(PSCY9022) Philosophies of Mental Health Care, Services, and Systems:ÌýThis subject explores key mental health philosophies, including trauma-informed care, the bio-psycho-social model and multidisciplinary teamwork, least restrictive care and the recovery model. You'll learn about the construction of mental health services and systems, including navigating services and systems beyond mental health to meet patients’ needs.
(PSCY9023) Assessing Risks and Managing Challenging Behaviour:ÌýIn this subject, you’ll explore risk assessment, formulation, and management approaches, including structured professional judgement models. You’ll gain practical experience in applying clinical skills in risk assessment and management and in strategies for preventing and de-escalating risks, including acute emergency management of challenging behaviour.
Future careers
Studying at UNSW opens doors to a myriad of future career opportunities in mental health practice:Ìý
Clinical practiceÌý
Become a skilled practitioner equipped to provide comprehensive mental health care in diverse settings.Ìý
ResearchÌý
Engage in groundbreaking research collaborations with leading institutes, contributing to advancements in mental health assessment and treatment.Ìý
Education and trainingÌý
Share expertise through teaching roles, shaping the next generation of mental health professionals.
Policy and advocacyÌý
Advocate for improved mental health policies and services to influence positive systemic changes.Ìý
ConsultancyÌý
Offer specialised consulting services to healthcare organisations, driving innovation and best practices in mental health care.Ìý
Community engagement
Make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities through interdisciplinary solutions and partnerships.Ìý
By joining UNSW’s Medicine & Health faculty, you'll gain access to a strong network of professionals and resources, preparing you to lead the way in enhancing mental health outcomes.
Our academic
"With Australia facing a critical shortage of mental health specialists, our Mental Health Practice Program equips students with practical skills and increased confidence to deliver mental health support within their own professions. This course is long overdue and couldn’t come at a better time."
Katya Numbers
Lecturer
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through ourÌýÌýportal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date.Ìý.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted viaÌýour  service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencementÌýdate. ForÌýmore information visitÌýour .
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
$6,500*
$6,500*
All places within this degree are Commonwealth supported. This means that if you receive an offer from UNSW Sydney as a domestic student, you will have a substantial proportion of your fees subsidised by the Australian government. Start your application today with our guide on how to apply.Ìý
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at theÌý.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visitÌý.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
Partnering with our clinical colleagues, we developed a comprehensive mental health Program.
