Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of nursing in forensic mental health. You’ll learn key legal principles, legislation, and core clinical skills (such as violence risk assessment and management). Upon graduating you’ll be able to work effectively in forensic contexts or with forensic patients.

View the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing course handbook
Is your course available for Midyear entry?

Starting midyear means getting your study goals under way before the year is over. Semester 2 begins Monday 29 July, 2024.

Upgrade your skills

  • Use advanced knowledge in mental health
  • Cognitive skills
  • Technical skills
  • Communication skills
  • Deliver effective treatments

Stretch your career further

  • Forensic mental health nurse
  • Nurse in a prison setting
  • Nurse in a courts setting
  • General mental health nurse
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Professional accreditations

This course is offered through the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne, in collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare).

Why Swinburne?

Ranked top 250 in the world for the subject of psychology

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

83.5% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating

Ranked top 20% in Australia for 5-star PG Overall experience

Qualifications

An Australian bachelor degree or equivalent  in one of the following fields:

  • Nursing
  • Mental health nursing

Completion of Bachelor degrees in other relevant disciplines will be considered.

Applicants wishing to study full-time will be considered on a case by case basis. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions, in respect of courses, to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

An Australian bachelor degree or equivalent in one of the following fields:

  • Nursing
  • Mental health nursing
     

Completion of Bachelor degrees in other relevant disciplines will be considered.

Applicants wishing to study full-time will be considered on a case by case basis.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit. 

The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions, in respect of courses, to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing, students must complete 50 credit points comprising four core units.

4
Core units
=
Graduate Certificate

Nested programs

The Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing forms the first stage in a nested suite of programs. Continue studying with the:

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Core Skills in Forensic Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80001
Fundamentals of Criminal Law Process
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80002
Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80003
Forensic Mental Health Nursing
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80008

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$17,950

Total fee* ($AUD)

$17,950

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$17,950.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
GC-FMHN
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Note: This course is available to off-shore international students who are studying in a country other than Australia; this course is not available to on-shore international students on a student visa.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
24-July-2024
Start dates
29-July-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
29-July-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events