About our program

Our mental health stream graduate nurses participate in a well-structured and highly supportive program that offers many learning and development opportunities.

Overview

• One intake (February) for 2026
• Permanent contracts for 2026, working your choice of 0.8EFT-1.0EFT
• Two six-month clinical rotations
• Minimum seven paid study days
• Comprehensive orientation
• Dedicated supernumerary days for each rotation
• Early Career Education team, as well as ward-based educators
• Professional development opportunities

The mental health stream of the Graduate Nurse Program comprises two six-month mental health rotations, followed by the Clinical Advanced Placement (CAP) Year. During this year, you will complete an additional two rotations across multiple mental health bed based and specialty areas under the full support of our clinical nurse educators. At the same time, you’ll be working towards completing your post-graduate diploma of mental health nursing.

Rotations

We have a huge variety of rotation options as a graduate nurse in our mental health program! Although rotations may change slightly from year to year, these are the likely places you’ll be able to choose from:

• Secure Extended Care Unit
• Parent Infant Program
• Child Inpatient Unit
• Adolescent Inpatient Unit
• Brain Disorders Program
• Psychological Trauma and Recovery Inpatient Unit
• Transitional Support Unit
• Community teams

About the Mental Health Division

Based just 15km from the Melbourne CBD, Austin Health is one of Australia's major health services.

The Mental Health Division is structured into three directorates, each offering dynamic learning opportunities and opportunities to work with consumers across the lifespan:

• Infant & Youth Mental Health Service (ICYMHS)
• Adult Mental Health Service (AMHS)
• Mental Health Specialty Services

These services are spread across our three main campuses: Austin Hospital, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre.

For more information about the mental health services offered at Austin Health, please visit clinics and services.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The mental health stream of the Graduate Nurse Program includes an education component including specialised study days, assessment, and training throughout the graduate program. Successful completion of the graduate nurse program in the mental health stream will achieve credit towards postgraduate study in mental health nursing with our university partners.

Reflective practice and clinical supervision

Every month, our graduates come together for guided reflective practice sessions, an essential element for the supporting the development of mental health nurses. In addition to this, you will be paired with an experienced clinical supervisor who will support reflection, learning, and development.

Contact us

Bianca Blatchford
Clinical Nurse consultant – Early Career Nurse Coordinator- Mental Health
Email: bianca.blatchford@austin.org.au

Kayleigh Kerr
Manager of Nursing Education, Mental Health
Email: kayleigh.kerr2@austin.org.au

More information

Please follow our social media pages for the most up to date information on job opportunities in this space.

• Follow the Instagram handle @austinhealthgnp
• Email graduatenurseprogram@austin.org.au