Graduate Diploma in Mental Health
The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health at Nan Tien Institute offers a distinctive postgraduate pathway for professionals.
Delivered 100% online, the program combines contemporary mental health theory with NTI’s contemplative pedagogy, engaging students in mindfulness, reflection, and personal awareness alongside evidence-based practice. Graduates are prepared for roles across healthcare, education and community settings – equipped with the expertise, compassion and resilience to lead and respond effectively to mental health challenges.
A Mental Health Nurse Specialisation is available for registered nurses, accredited by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN). Graduates of this pathway receive formal transcript notation in Mental Health Nursing (Non-Clinical), supporting professional recognition and career development.
Course Highlights
- ACMHN-accredited Nurse Specialisation available
- Delivered 100% online with small, interactive classes
- Explores areas such as mind-body wellness, nutrion and mental health, therapy through art and interpersonal skills
- Integration of Buddhist perspectives: mindfulness, compassion, interconnectedness and ethical responsibility complementing contemporary mental health and nursing
- Combines professional expertise with personal growth
Flexible Pathway
Course Information
The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health at Nan Tien Institute is designed for professionals seeking to expand their understanding of mental health. Students are invited to examine their own responses and values, cultivating resilience and insight that support sustainable practice in healthcare, education and community settings. Building on the Graduate Certificate, students can select from a diverse and flexible range of subjects to suit their professional context and personal interests. Graduates may exit with the Graduate Diploma or progress seamlessly into the Master of Mental Health.
Note: Not all subjects are offered every semester; please consult the timetable or contact Student Services for advice.
| Head of Program | Sylvia Neubacher |
| Course Duration | Full-time 12 months, part-time from 18 months |
| Delivery Method | Online study |
| Academic Requirements |
An Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher, OR An overseas qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher. |
| English Language Requirements |
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Applicants who have not completed substantial tertiary studies in English will need to meet our English Language Requirements. Please note: Although this course does not directly lead to a registration as a health professional, on completion of this course, those wishing to register as a health professional in Australia will also need to satisfy the AHPRA requirement of an overall IELTS score of 7. |
| Related Courses | Master of Mental Health Graduate Certificate in Mental Health |
| Tuition Fees | Domestic $23,800 International $28,800 *A one-off enrolment fee of $100 applies, payable once you have been accepted into a course. Applies to Mental Health students only. *FEE-HELP available to eligible Australian citizens Tuition fees, non-tuition fees, and refunds are governed by NTI’s Fees, Charges and Refunds Policy |
| Non-Tuition Fees | More about non-tuition fees |
| CRICOS Course Code | 0100334 |
| CRICOS Provider Number | 03233C |
Course Structure
The course can be completed within two (2) semesters of full-time study and three (3) or more semesters of part-time study. The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health qualification requires the completion of 8 subjects (for a total of 48 credit points).
Core Subjects
Note: Not all core subjects are offered in each semester. Please consult the timetable or Student Services for advice.
| NTI800 | Critical and Contemplative Inquiry |
| MH801 | Mind-Body Wellness in Mental Health |
| HSW905 | Compassion at Work |
| MH914 | Mental Health and Wellness |
| MH904 | Ethics, Mental Health and Buddhism |
Elective Subjects
3 electives to be chosen from the list below
Nurse Specialisation (ACMHN-Accredited)
Course Information
The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health (Nurse Specialisation – Non-Clinical) at Nan Tien Institute is designed for registered nurses seeking to expand their expertise and gain formal recognition in mental health nursing. Accredited by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, the program combines evidence-based learning with NTI’s contemplative pedagogy. This unique approach integrates Buddhist perspectives that foster resilience, compassion and balance. Graduates may exit with the Graduate Diploma or progress seamlessly into the Master of Mental Health (Nurse Specialisation – Non-Clinical) for further advanced study and career progression.
Note: Not all subjects are offered every semester; please consult the timetable or contact Student Services for advice.
| Head of Program | Sylvia Neubacher |
| Course Duration | Full-time 12 months, part-time from 18 months |
| Delivery Method | Online study |
| Academic Requirements |
Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse (RN) is required at the time of application. |
| English Language Requirements |
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Applicants who have not completed substantial tertiary studies in English will need to meet our English Language Requirements. Please note: Although this course does not directly lead to a registration as a health professional, on completion of this course, those wishing to register as a health professional in Australia will also need to satisfy the AHPRA requirement of an overall IELTS score of 7. |
| Related Courses | Master of Mental Health Graduate Certificate in Mental Health |
| Tuition Fees | Domestic $23,800 International $28,800 *A one-off enrolment fee of $100 applies, payable once you have been accepted into a course. Applies to Mental Health students only. *FEE-HELP available to eligible Australian citizens Tuition fees, non-tuition fees, and refunds are governed by NTI’s Fees, Charges and Refunds Policy |
| Non-Tuition Fees | More about non-tuition fees |
| CRICOS Course Code | 0100334 |
| CRICOS Provider Number | 03233C |
Course Structure
The course can be completed within two (2) semesters of full-time study and three (3) or more semesters of part-time study. The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health qualification requires the completion of 8 subjects (for a total of 48 credit points).
Core Subjects
Note: Not all core subjects are offered in each semester. Please consult the timetable or Student Services for advice.