Overview

Use your current nursing qualifications to upskill into the interesting area of forensics, with a Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing. You’ll learn the necessary skills for success in this area, which includes an understanding of legal and correctional systems, working effectively with challenging patients and behaviours, and factors that influence offending.

View the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing course handbook
Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

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Upgrade your skills

  • Apply advanced knowledge to individual mental health factors
  • 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 court 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 partnership

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
     

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
     

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.

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 Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing, students must complete 100 credit points comprising:

  • 6 core units (75 credit points)
  • 2 elective units (25 credit points).

Your units

Graduate Certificate

Completing 4 core units entitles you to the graduate certificate.

4
Core units
=
Graduate certificate
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
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing

Graduate Diploma

Completing an additional 2 core and 2 elective units entitles you to the graduate diploma.

4
Core units
+
2
Core units
+
2
Elective units
=
Graduate diploma
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Mental Disorder and Offending
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80005
Forensic Mental Health Nursing Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80016
Units of study Unit code
Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80004
Substance Misuse and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80007
Trauma and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80009
Problem Behaviours 1
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80011
Problem Behaviours 2
Elective unit
FBS80012
Working in Corrections and Youth Justice
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80013
Development, Developmental Disability and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
FBS80015

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$37,360

Total fee* ($AUD)

$37,360

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$37,360.00

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, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

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)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

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
GD-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! 

Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024