Understand the complexities of mental health to get you ready for leadership and clinical roles.
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RMIT is one of the longest standing providers of nursing education in Australia and sits at the forefront of nursing education and research. We are the leading provider of postgraduate mental health nursing education in Australia.
Our mental health nursing qualifications are linked and supported by industry partners and are offered to nurses across Australia working in acute, forensic services, child and adolescent, aged mental health, addictions, homelessness teams and consultation liaison services.
To undertake this degree, you should be a registered nurse with at least 840 hours experience working in mental health clinical practice or you will be currently completing a graduate year in mental health nursing.
As a student of this degree, you'll study advanced individual and group counselling, mental health treatment, contemporary nursing issues, global health, physical health assessment, psychopharmacology, leadership, clinical teaching, mentorship and research.
Please note that this masters degree is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.
Learn with the best. RMIT is Australia’s leading provider of postgraduate mental health nursing education.
Benefit from exposure to real-world experience and learn from mental health nurses with strong industry connections.
As a graduate, you will be eligible for credentialling by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
You will be exposed to a range of teaching and learning opportunities.
All lectures are video recorded to enhance the flexible delivery of this degree. Online tutorials are also recorded, in case you are unable to attend in real time.
You will experience a range of teaching approaches including learner-centred curriculum, learning activities and projects, and working in multidisciplinary teams.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
The assessment you will complete within this degree will reflect the contemporary work you will be involved in within mental health nursing clinical practice.
For 2022, this course is being delivered solely online.
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
The Master of Mental Health Nursing consists of 144 credit points, from a selection of 12 and 24 credit point courses. After completing 96 credit points of study approved by the Program Manager, you may exit with a graduate diploma.
The curriculum is structured to enable you to:
Examples of subjects offered as part of this degree include:
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Graduates will be able to seek to extend their careers in mental health nursing in a wide range of hospital and community settings across metropolitan and rural areas.
Graduates of this degree should be well prepared to conduct shift leadership and care coordination roles as well as mentorship of staff in a mental health setting.
With almost half of Australians estimated to experience a mental illness at some point in their lives, mental health nurses perform an essential role in a wide range of hospital and community settings.
According to the Australian Government, employment rates have increased steadily over the past 10 years and are forecast to continue growing for the foreseeable future. A substantial workforce gap is projected for the mental health nursing sector to 2030.
Job Outlook projects that work opportunities for registered nurses are set to increase by 11.7% to 2024. According to Nursing Courses Australia, on average mental health nurses earn approximately $117,626 per year or $60 per hour. In certain jurisdictions, you receive a certificate allowance through your employer if you possess a postgraduate degree in mental health nursing.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that around $8.5 billion per annum is spent on mental health-related services in Australia.
You can join the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and cite this qualification as part of your application for credentialing. Credentialed mental health nurses can be funded for employment under the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program.
Graduates can apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and after obtaining credentialing with the ACMHN may seek a provider number for private practice or practice in any Australian state or territory under the mental health nurse incentive program. To register in Australia you need English languages skills at IELTS academic level 7 or equivalent within the two years prior to registration.
You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
You must have:
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AND
AND
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.
You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
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To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
You can gain entry to this masters degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.
Graduates of the RMIT's Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing are eligible to seek 96 points of credit transfer towards the Master of Mental Health Nursing.
Applicants who have completed an equivalent postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma (which must include a Research Methods component) in mental health nursing at another university can claim a maximum of 72 points credit (50%) towards the Master of Mental Health Nursing degree at RMIT.
You can also apply for credit if you have completed a recognised psychiatric graduate nurse program (that was at least 12 months long) and/or are a nurse with advanced standing and experience in mental health.
Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.
Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).
Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2023. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture | $4,124 per standard year $515 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology | $8,301 per standard year $1,037 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science | $11,800 per standard year $1,475 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture | $15,142 per standard year $1,892 per standard (12 credit point) course |
On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).
For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.
If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2023 is $326.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
If your HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.
See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.
For postgraduate by coursework students enrolled full-time in a health-related discipline who can demonstrate circumstances which impact their study; worth up to $5,000.
For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students working, or intending to work in the social and emotional well-being workforce, enrolled in related programs; worth up to $135,000 for tuition fees, SSAF and financial support.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$XX,XXX.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$XX,XXX.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
