Advancing Mental Health Through Education, Research, and Practice
Founded in 1961, The Cairnmillar Institute is an independent, not-for- profit organisation dedicated to advancing the mental health and resilience of communities across Australia. We provide higher and tertiary education (from vocational to doctoral degrees) with primary focus on psychology, counselling and psychotherapy, accessible mental health services, applied research, and evidence-based capability and workforce development. With more than 65 years of experience, we have built a strong reputation for practical education, high quality clinical care, community engagement, and strong graduate outcomes.
Our approach is guided by the Triple Helix model, which connects research, education and clinical practice in a single integrated system. This model ensures that evidence informs service delivery, insights from practice shape teaching and professional training, and research stays connected to real community needs.
OUR CORE VALUES:
OUR IMPACT
Our impact is strengthened by our long history in the sector, our applied learning environment delivered by experienced practitioners, high levels of student and client satisfaction, recognition and our agile non-profit structure that reinvests in the organisation and the communities we serve. Our unique value proposition enables us to deliver high-quality and high-value impact. Key result highlights across the three strategic areas include:
*Data range: 2020-2025
Strong Satisfaction Rates and Workforce Ready Graduates:
Achieved an 82% student satisfaction rate (vs 74% sector average) *
83% of graduates use their skills at work (national 72%).
Low Barrier, Quality Mental Health Services:
Achieved 4.7/5 client satisfaction for clinical services
(45,000 supervised sessions and 5,828 sessions by registered clinicians)
High‑Impact, Evidence-Based Training Success:
Received a 4.68/5 average evaluation score
(For professional development and vocational training programs)
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which The Cairnmillar Institute is located, and we pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We also extend these respects to any First Nations peoples engaging with these materials, and our services
Ash Thomas Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri people There's a Lot Goin' On, 2025
Sometimes in life there’s lots of things goin’ on that can be hard and trying, or easy and happy, but my artwork gives me strength to see out the bad times. This is my Country before colonisation. The lines are like a map representing how our people shaped the Country with their spiritual connections told in songs and stories. The blue water and the red oxide land show my journey line with places I’ve stopped along the way. The small linear patches of dots are all the different mobs and families around Country. The brown patterns and shapes are mountain ridges and waterholes representing time past. The diamond patterns are from patterns on our old shields. Their colours represent connection to culture and the red dirt and many coloured sands that make up our beautiful Country. The group of Elders sitting with their spears are telling stories of Bunjil the eagle, our Creator, and passing down their knowledge of tracking and hunting. The goannas are my Ancestors watching, mesmerised, over their Country and culture.
This artwork was created through The Torch, a not-for-profit organisation that provides art, cultural and arts industry support to First Nations people currently in, or recently released, from Victorian prisons.