Victoria University

Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 8 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Bring greater insight to your work with children and adolescents. Build knowledge in mental health, age-appropriate engagement and trauma-informed care, with a pathway into master’s study.

Ready to take the next step?

Download your course guide and connect with a study advisor to explore:

  • Course structure
  • Learning outcomes
  • Fees
  • Entry requirements

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Course overview

Understand more about what young people are experiencing and how your professional practice can respond. Victoria University’s online Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health builds a focused foundation for supporting children, adolescents and their families.

Study child and adolescent mental health, engagement and assessment, trauma-informed care, and mental health foundations. Explore how mental ill-health presents in young people and examine the social and family environments that shape their experiences.

Develop your understanding of age-appropriate communication, ethical assessment and culturally responsive approaches. Consider how professionals can work together with families and communities to make support more accessible, strengthening the knowledge you bring to educational, health, youth or social care settings.

Complete four units online over eight months part-time through VU’s seven-week Block Model, with personalised academic and student support. Apply your learning within your existing role or continue into VU’s Master of Child and Adolescent Mental Health to extend your specialist knowledge and research skills.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
8 months (Part time)
Commitment
15 - 20 hours/week
Price Per Unit
From $2,870
More Information
The estimated per-unit fee is calculated using the annual average first-year fee. It is based on a part-time study load of four units per year.

From $1,192 (CSP)
More Information
You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. The estimated per unit fees are calculated using the annual CSP rate. It is based on a full-time study load of 48 credit points (four units) per year.
Intake
11th January, 2027
8th March, 2027
10th May, 2027
5th July, 2027
30th August, 2027
25th October, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
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Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP, CSP

What you will study

Students must complete the following four units: 

  • Introduction to Child and Adolescent Mental Health
  • Child and Adolescent Engagement and Assessment
  • Effective Trauma-Informed Care
  • Mental Health Foundations

Entry requirements

Applicants must have one of the following:

  • Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor's degree in a cognate discipline such as Health Science, Social Work, Psychology, Medicine, Counselling, Criminal Justice, Youth Work or Education, OR:
  • Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor's in any discipline and at least two years of approved work experience.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

This graduate certificate will help you build a strong foundation in child and adolescent mental health so you can collaborate with them, their families, carers, educators and communities to deliver better mental health outcomes. You can apply your skills in evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches in child and adolescent mental health to a range of educational, therapeutic, community and clinical settings.

Upon completion, you can continue studying and gain your Master of Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Total cost for four units in 2026: $11,480 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of four units per year.

Student annual fees may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.

Student Testimonials

Amanda Frape

Amanda Frape

I am receiving a lot of support from my facilitators and my Student Success Advisor, who boosts my confidence and self-esteem.

Emma Longuet

Emma Longuet

The flexibility, relevance and opportunity that VU Online brings to higher education are testaments to excellence in teaching and learning.

Maxwell Gratton

Maxwell Gratton

It was personally satisfying to connect and collaborate with a range of industry professionals. Many have become valuable work contacts, some even lifelong friends and career mentors.