Top Short Courses in Mental Health for Beginners— What Cairnmillar Institute Offers in 2026

Mental health is one of the most important areas of work in Australia right now. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) around one in five Australians aged 16 to 85 has experienced a mental disorder in the past 12 months, and one in seven children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 has experienced a mental illness. The demand for trained professionals in psychology, counselling and mental health support is real — and growing across the country.

Whether you want to better support the people around you, or you are considering a career change into this field, you do not need to start with a full university degree. There are practical courses available right now in Melbourne that give you solid knowledge and real skills, regardless of your professional background or prior study experience.

Cairnmillar Institute has been delivering mental health education in Melbourne for more than six decades years. It is one of Australia’s leading centres for psychology and counselling services and a leader in education and training. As a not-for-profit organisation and a registered health promotion charity, 100 per cent of all donations and tuition fees are directed back into the community — including providing no-cost counselling services to children, adults and families facing difficult situations.

Here is a complete guide to the beginner-friendly courses Cairnmillar offers in 2026.

Short Workshops (2 to 3 Days)

These are the quickest starting points. You can complete them in days, not months, and no prior study is required.

Core Counselling Skills

Duration: 3 days | Cost: $165 – $770 | Location: Hawthorn East

This three-day introductory course suits two groups — those currently supporting others who want to strengthen their skills, and those considering a career in counselling.
Participants develop core counselling skills through interactive exercises, guided role-plays, group learning and education sessions. Fees are inclusive of GST and participants receive a workbook and certificate of completion.

Please note: This course provides an introduction to counselling principles but does not qualify participants to work professionally as a counsellor.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Duration: 2 days (face-to-face) or blended online option available | Cost: $125 – $335 (fees vary by enrolment type and delivery mode)
| Location: Hawthorn East, Melbourne and/or Online | Intake: Scheduled across the year

Around 20% of Australian adults experience a common mental illness each year. This internationally recognised course helps you develop the skills to support a friend, family member or colleague. It covers the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults, how to provide initial help, and how to respond in a crisis situation using a practical, evidence-based action plan.
Completing MHFA training is associated with improved knowledge of mental illnesses, their treatments and appropriate first aid strategies, greater confidence in providing support, and a decrease in stigmatising attitudes
Upon completion, participants can sit a short assessment to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider. Accreditation is valid for 3 years.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Refresher

Duration: 4 hours (face-to-face) or 5 hours (online) | Cost: $130 – $240 | Location: Hawthorn East and/or Online

The Standard MHFA Refresher Course is designed to help current Accredited MHFAiders maintain their certification and stay up to date with the latest mental health first aid knowledge, skills and information. Participants engage with up-to-date research, practise complex scenarios, and extend their accreditation for another three years upon successful completion of a short assessment.
To enrol, participants must have completed a full MHFA course and passed the accreditation assessment within the last three years. Participants will need to bring their own Fourth Edition manual and provide a copy of their Certificate of Accreditation prior to the training.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Duration: 2 days | Cost: $85 – $425 | Location: Hawthorn East

ASIST is the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop, delivered by Accredited Master Trainers. At Cairnmillar, the internationally recognised LivingWorks ASIST workshop is delivered to equip individuals to assist those at risk of suicide to keep safe and access further support.
The course is suitable for anyone aged 16 and over — including those working in mental health and welfare organisations, emergency services, community groups, corporate businesses, or members of the general public. Participant materials include workbook and a certificate of completion.

Longer Programs (6 Months to 1 Year)

These programs suit people who are ready to commit more time and take a genuine step towards working in the mental health field.

Diploma of Counselling

Duration: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time | Cost: $6,990 | Study Mode: Online | Intakes: July 2026, February 2027 | Course Code: CHC51015
This nationally recognised Diploma of Counselling equips you with the professional knowledge and practical skills to support individuals through life’s challenges and promote wellbeing across diverse communities. The course is delivered fully online through self-paced learning, with regular live interactive sessions scheduled throughout the term. Role-play days are also scheduled throughout the term and can be attended online.
The course takes a global and multicultural approach, preparing graduates to work effectively in today’s diverse communities. Small class sizes allow for personalised support and close connection with teaching staff. This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), and graduates can apply for Level 1 ACA registration upon completion.
Tuition fees can be paid upfront, by instalment, or through a VET Student Loan. Graduates can pathway into the Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling or the Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy at Cairnmillar.
Please note this diploma prepares graduates for entry-level and support positions — it does not prepare graduates for specialised or clinical counselling roles.

Graduate Certificate of Psychological Science 

Duration: 6 months full-time or 1 year part-time  | Cost: $11,850.32* | Study Mode: Online | Intake: Semester 1 and Semester 2 Domestic applicants only | Course Code: PY085 | FEE-HELP: Available
This TEQSA-accredited course is designed for people looking to take the first or early steps on the pathway to a career in psychology. It is suited to applicants who hold an Australian undergraduate degree (AQF Level 7) but do not yet meet the entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science, or those seeking to improve results from an APAC-accredited undergraduate degree for entry into the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Cairnmillar.
The course consists of four units of study completed fully online. Students who achieve a WAM of 65 or higher, including a mark of 65 or higher in PSY402, will automatically be offered a place in the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science at Cairnmillar with recognition of prior learning for the four completed units.
Graduates can also find employment across a range of industries including health and community services, human resources, disability services, mental health rehabilitation and youth support.
Please note this course is available to domestic applicants only and is not open to international student applications.

Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care

Duration: 1 year part-time | Cost: $13,653.36* (domestic) | Study Mode: Self-paced online | Intake: Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Course Code: TI081 | FEE-HELP: Available
This self-paced online Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care is designed specifically for busy professionals seeking to enhance their skills and specialise in trauma-informed care. By blending advanced theoretical concepts with practical applications, the course prepares students to navigate complex trauma-related challenges in professional settings.
The course consists of three core units covering foundational knowledge of trauma, core principles and frameworks, an interdisciplinary focus on diverse groups, and ethical and regulatory understanding. Students then choose one of two elective units — Trauma-Informed Care and Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence, which explores trauma-informed approaches to FDSV including systemic barriers, ethical issues and culturally safe practices; or Trauma-Informed Care and Leadership, which focuses on cultivating leadership skills for implementing trauma-informed care in organisations, managing vicarious trauma and fostering systemic resilience.
The course is TEQSA accredited and sits within Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. To be eligible, applicants must hold either an Australian undergraduate degree (AQF Level 7) in a related discipline such as social work, psychology or counselling; or a minimum three-year Bachelor degree in any discipline with relevant work experience; or a Diploma or Advanced Diploma with at least one year of relevant work experience. This course is not available to international student applications. Possible careers include trauma‑informed roles across counselling, community services, education, and leadership.

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