Mental health courses

Study mental health to support the one in five Australians who need your help

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Mental health

Demand for mental health services is at an all-time high in Australia. The industry is crying out for more specialists who can make a difference—specialists like nurses, counsellors, advocates and policy makers.

With the right mental health qualification, you could answer that call.

Study mental health online through Open Universities Australia, and explore rewarding opportunities in nursing, community care, education or law enforcement.

We’re here to help you compare flexible study options from across the country and enrol with the university of your choice.

emma-psychology
Emma studied psychology with Swinburne University through Open Universities Australia

Discover mental health courses

Online mental health degrees

University of Tasmania

UndergraduateTAS-COU-DIP

Diploma of Counselling

Enhance wellbeing in yourself and others

Gain an introduction to a range of topics including mental health, the impact of chronic health conditions on quality of life, mental health first aid, and applied counselling skills.


100% online

2 years full time or part time equivalent

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Griffith University

Support the mental health needs of your community

Get set for a career in mental health support. Designed for work in community settings, such as nursing, rehabilitation, police liaison, housing, or disability support. Delve into evidence-based research, and collaborate with carers.


100% online

University of Notre Dame Australia

PostgraduateUND-MHA-GCE

Graduate Certificate in Mental Health

Developed after extensive consultation with the mental health profession

Designed to meet the needs of mental health nurses, this course is a rigorous introduction to psychiatric theories and contemporary treatment. Study contemporary mental health, then graduate and grow your career, or continue your psychiatry studies.


100% online

6 months full time or part time equivalent

Torrens University Australia

UndergraduateTUA-COS-DEG

Bachelor of Community Services

Help people in communities connect and thrive

Develop tools for a career dedicated to social justice, welfare, and advocacy. You’ll work on communication, counselling, and policy theory. Build your experience and contacts through work placements. Electives include mediation and child protection.


Online & on-campus

3 years full time or part time equivalent

Online mental health subjects and short courses

University of South Australia

UndergraduateUSA-HLTH1052

Introduction to Mental Health


100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 18 Sep 2023

University of Tasmania

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

University of South Australia

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

University of Tasmania

UndergraduateTAS-PSY114

Stress, Self-Care and Mindfulness


100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Discover 64 ways to study mental health with leading Australian universities.

Explore mental health courses

Need help choosing the right course?

Our student advisors are here to guide you with expert advice on:

  • Enrolling and planning your studies
  • Finding a study option that suits your needs
  • Understanding your funding options

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Our advisors are here to help with your study goals from enrolment to completion 7 days a week.

Mental health study FAQs

What do you learn in a mental health course?

Online mental health courses cover a range of topics, so what you learn will depend on the qualification you choose.

If you’re yet to start your career, then we recommend exploring an undergraduate counselling or psychology course, where you can build your foundational knowledge.

If you already work in your field and you want to become a mental health specialist, you can focus on an area like:

  • Counselling and mental health first aid
  • Mental health nursing
  • Mental health leadership
  • Research and policy
  • Forensic mental health
  • Mental health for educators

Student stories and study advice

4 high-growth jobs in mental health

The stigma associated with mental health issues is quickly disappearing—what a relief! But with more people seeking help, we need more specialists (future you) in the sector.

What is a mental health nurse and what do they do?

Australia desperately needs more mental health nurses to support people with mental illness. Read on to find out what this interesting nursing specialty is all about.

5 mental health short courses to pivot into counselling

A short course can be a great way to upskill and become more competitive for a position as a counsellor. Learn more about what courses can help get you job-ready. 

Counsellor vs psychologist: Which career is right for you?

Are you fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind? Do you want to help people understand their emotions and behaviour? Find out if you’re made for a career in counselling or psychology.  

We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

A student leaping from one side of a platform to another, with a blue sky in the background.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 500,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education

As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

Enrol in courses from 27 of Australia's leading universities

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University of Tasmania logoThe University of Queensland logo
University of the Sunshine Coast logoUniversity of New South Wales logo
The University of Notre Dame Australia logoUniversity of South Australia logo
Flinders University logoAustralian Catholic University logo
Macquarie University logoUniversity of Southern Queensland logo
Murdoch University logoUniversity of New England logo
Bond University logoEdith Cowan University logo
Charles Sturt University logoLa Trobe University logo
James Cook University Australia logoTorrens University Australia logo
The University of Newcastle logoUniversity of Adelaide logo
RMIT University logoSwinburne University logo
Australian National University logoGriffith University logo
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